Thank you for your interest in learning about the Oak Hill Village Improvement Association building and historic marker. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and a state of Florida historic marker is located outside. The building is now owned by the city of Oak Hilland houses a small community museum. Hopefully one day I will find the museum open.
The selected photographs in this book, many appearing courtesy of local families, document the lives and times of Floridians who chose to call Oak Hill home. Click the image for more information and to order your copy.
Oak Hill
Oak Hill, Florida is a small, tight knight community located near the extreme southeast corner of Volusia County. The 2020 United States Census Bureau report showed a population of just under 2,000 residents. While still small, the town has grown significantly since the turn of the century. Residential property development will increase the population dramatically in the next few years. These new residents will potentially place a strain on limited governmental resources as new services will be required.
Early settlers in what is now the Oak Hill area included Jacob Davy Mitchell. Mitchell founded a citrus business and in the following years many similar business sprang to life. By 1887 the area contained 220 acres of citrus trees. Fishing and seafood were another popular and profitable business. With the Intracoastal Waterway on the doorstep and easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, fishermen worked hard, but were able to earn a living. The arrival of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway allowed for fish and fruit to be shipped but also brought need goods and materials to the small group of settlers.
The first city charter was created in 1927 but was soon abandoned in 1930. The city operated on an informal basis for more than three decades. It was in 1962 that local residents re-incorporated.
In this book, Florida historian Seth H. Bramson reveals how the Key West Extension of the Flagler-owned FEC became the greatest railroad engineering and construction feat in the United States Click the link or image for details and to order your copy.
Association Hall
Prior to the first incorporation in 1927, in 1906, local residents F. W. Hatch, H. J. Magruder, and Leonard Mosby formed the Oak Hill Village Improvement Association with goals of organizing community events and resolving any local problems. The Association purchased a lot located at what is now 146 U.S. Highway 1. Here, they constructed a Town Hall building as a meeting space. The building was constructed in a single story octagonal design. The reason this design was created and the name of the architect are lost to time according to the NRHP nomination form.
As stated, the building was originally constructed on what is now US 1. By 1915, the makeup of the town had changed and residents began to consider whether a new location for the Hall would be more suitable. Joan Howes donated a lot on Halifax Avenue. Using a team of horses and logs, the building was moved approximately two tenths of a mile to a prominent location, near the town business district. Today, the building is across Halifax Avenue from the post office and library buildings.
It was in the Association building that critical issues, such as the 1927 incorporation of the town, and the 1930 discontinuation of the town charter were discussed and approved. When the city charter was reactivated in 1962, the VIA Hall served as the home of city government until the new City Hall was constructed in 1965.
Other uses of the unusually shaped building included being used as a voting precinct, social events such as community dances, and boy and girl scout troop meetings. The building served for seven months as home to Baldwin’s Store, after the community grocery store burned to the ground in September 1935. The VIA Hall was home to the Howard Putnam Library during the years of 1943 through 1970, when the growing library moved to the new City Hall building before moving across the street from the Hall in 1974.
After many years of active community involvement, The Oak Hill Village Improvement Association experienced a membership decline in the 1990s and discontinued their operations in 2002. The building, which was in need of considerable repairs and upgrades, was deeded to the city. City leaders began to explore funding opportunities in order to bring the VIA Hall back to life. They received two crucial lifelines allowing work to proceed.
Restoration
The first came in the form of a $35,000 donation from Korean businessman and benefactor, Dr. K. T. Chung. These crucial funds would be used as partial match for a County of Volusia ECHO (environmental, cultural, historic, outdoor) grant. With nearly $150,000 from the county and the required dollar for dollar match, Oak Hill was on its way.
A park, adjacent to the Hall was dedicated in Dr. Chung’s honor on May 21, 1995. Approximately 100 persons turned out for the ceremony which featured a chorus from Burns-Oak Hill Elementary School and a solo from singer Pat Plummer. A reception in Dr. Chung’s honor was held in the Hall after the park dedication.
When the project had been completed in 2009 work accomplished included building stabilization, restoration of the interior, and adding ADA compliant restrooms and entrance ramps.
In January 2023, the Florida Department of State announced that the Oak Hill Village Improvement Association Hall had been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Marker
As a part of the National Register nomination, the city applied for a State of Florida historic marker. This marker was awarded in 2023 and reads
Village Improvement Association Hall
In 1906, residents of Oak Hill complete this octagonal wooden structure. It was built on land donated by Fred W. Hatch, who saw the need for a community center. Citizens formed the Village Improvement Association (VIA) to maintain and schedule use of the building. In 1917, community leaders voted to move the building closer to the center of the growing town. A team of horses pulled the building on skids to its new location on land donated by Joan Howes. In 1927, citizens established the city’s first charter in the VIA Hall. That government did not survive the Great Depression. In 1960, citizens again met at the VIA Hall to organize a second charter. Since its construction, the building has served as a town hall, school, dancehall, and clubhouse. local fishermen used it as a place to repair their nets. In 2006, storms damaged the building. Community leaders worked with the city to obtain grant funding for the building’s restoration. With the goal of sharing the everyday history of this community, the refurbished building opened as the Oak Hill Historical Museum.
A Florida Heritage Site Sponsored by the City of Oak Hill and the Florida Department of State
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Sources
Dewees, Mary. History and Memories of Oak Hill, Florida. Oak Hill: Self Published. 1984.
Florida Department of State. Press Release: Secretary Byrd Announces the Designation of Village Improvement Association Hall in the National Register of Historic Places. January 24, 2023.
Goodrich, Marie S. “Korea, Oak Hill Find Park Common Ground.” Daytona Beach News Journal. May 23, 1995.
National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. August 16, 2022.
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Lewis (often spelled Louis) Tanner, was a respected member of the Daytona Beach police department, and a 32nd degree Mason. Officer Tanner was killed as the result of an automobile accident on the evening of October 26, 1930. He was riding as a passenger, attempting to help some lost cruisers find their destination.
If you are a descendant of Officer Lewis Tanner, know his family, or have additional information to share about him or his service, please send me an email. I will be glad to update this post. Research leads are greatly appreciated and I would be especially interested to have a photo of Officer Tanner and to know where he is buried.
Officer Tanner was born on November 4, 1886 in Lake Helen, Florida. Tanner served in the United States Army during World War I. He was inducted into service on June 21, 1918. serving in the 153th Depot Brigade, what appears to have been a segregated brigade based at Fort Dix. Tanner was promoted to Corporal on October 28. Corporal Tanner received an honorable discharge on June 25, 1919. On April 21, 1920, Tanner married Catherine Slater in Volusia County.
Before serving in the Daytona Beach Police Department, Tanner worked in partnership with Willard Cox. They owned a laundromat or dry cleaning business under the name Tanner & Cox. The business was located at 441 N. Beach Street.
The Accident
On the evening of October 26, 1930, Louis/Lewis Tanner had just left police headquarters at the end of his shift when he was flagged down by a car of four persons looking for a home they were to meet friends at. Tanner knew the locals and agreed to help the visitors. The officer got in their car in order to help give them directions.
Joe Harvey, referred to in newspaper articles as “a negro,” was a 25 year old from Orlando. Witnesses at the time stated Harvey rounded a corner south of Magnolia Street at a high rate of speed, swerving wildly on Second Street before crashing into the car in which Officer Tanner was riding. The car with five innocent victims was struck so hard it turned on its side, pinning both Tanner and William L. Hunt, the car driver, inside.
The startled witnesses raced to the scene and were able to finally extricate the two trapped men. Hunt suffered only minor injuries. Lamb Thomas suffered a broken hip. (There is a Thomas J. Lamb buried in Hillside Cemetery in Holly Hill so this name may have been misreported.) A.C. Conway and his wife Viola had only minor injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, Joe Harvey, suffered several severe lacerations to his face and scalp. Officer Tanner was the most severely injured and died from his injuries while being transported to McLeod Hospital.
Sergeant Livingston, who was the first officer on the scene, discovered a broken bottle in the car which still contained whiskey. A charge of manslaughter as a result of driving while intoxicated was filed against Harvey, who after treatment was held in the local jail pending trial.
In the immediate aftermath of Tanner’s death, Police Chief Charles J. Luke appointed “R.C. Clark, negro,” to fill the position.
I have been unable to determine where Officer Lewis Tanner was buried. There appears to be no record on Findagrave and my other searches have come back empty as well. If Officer Tanner was buried in Daytona Beach, the most likely place for his remains would be Mount Arrarat Cemetery, the cemetery for African Americans at that time.
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The Trial
Courtesy: Spottswood, Jack(John Gordon), 1890-1950. David Sholtz. 1936. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/52109>, accessed 12 August 2024.
Daytona Beach attorney David Sholtz, the future governor of the state of Florida. represented defendant Joe Harvey. Arraignment was held in front of Justice Charles J. Beers.
Sholtz, in questioning officers and other witnesses, was able to show that Harvey was “cold sober” within thirty minutes of the accident. Sholtz then questioned Dr. Guy A. Klock who provided testimony on various levels or degrees of intoxication.
Dr. Klock testified that if a man were in a condition where he had lost muscular coordination he could not have fully regained that within the thirty minutes others testified. Klock stated if a man were able to make his muscles obey his will, he was not intoxicated, even if it were known the person was drinking alcohol.
Attorney Sholtz quoted state law to the same effect in his request for a dismissal of charges.
No doubt to the dismay of family and friends of Tanner, members of the Daytona Beach Police Department, and prosecuting attorneys, Judge Beers was left with little option but to dismiss charges. Joe Harvey was again a free man.
To the best of my knowledge, there were no further actions taken against Harvey and the Tanner family did not receive justice in this case.
In Memory
Commemorating law enforcement lost in the line of duty is considered a high priority in many communities. Volusia County, Florida is no exception and there are several places where Officer Lewis Tanner is remembered.
Located at the Historic Volusia County Courthouse is the Law Enforcement Memorial for Volusia and Flagler Counties. This monument is located at the Indiana Avenue entrance to the courthouse and contains the names, service, and date of death for officers killed in the line of duty in either county. This 3,500 pound monument was dedicated in 1995 and contains information on thirty officers who have perished in the line of duty.
Detail of the Volusia and Flagler Counties Law Enforcement Memorial located in DeLand, Florida
Outside the Daytona Beach Police Department, there is a beautiful “Fallen Heroes” memorial, honoring all Daytona Beach Police Department officers who have died in the line of duty. Please see my post about this memorial using THIS LINK or click the photo below. As time allows, I will be researching and penning posts about these officers and will be linking from the master page. If you have information or photos on any of these officers listed, please reach out to me. I would be honored to share your information. I will provide credit for information or photos provided.
United States Census Bureau. 1930 United States Federal Census.
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Multiple markers honoring local soldiers who lost their lives during war years are set beautifully, outside the museum building. The area is open to the public. This particular marker honors those who gave their lives during wars in the Middle East in the years 1990-2014 and is dated 2015. The marker features a large eagle at the top.
This marker is part of the larger display featuring other plaques honoring lost service members from other conflicts. Be sure to view all the other plaques and reflect on the service these soldiers provided.
I will be creating posts for the soldiers lost and commemorated on these plaques. If you have information on these individuals, or photos you are willing to share, I will gladly add them to the individual postings. You will receive acknowledgement of your contribution to this project.
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The marker reads
THE MIDDLE EAST 1990-2014
TO HONOR THE PATRIOTS OF
WEST VOLUSIA COUNTY
WHO SERVED IN IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, AND THE MIDDLE EAST
& TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
If the soldiers name shows a hyperlink, I have created an individual page for them. Please give those pages a read. If you have information to add about the soldier, their life, their service, or images, please contact me. I would be honored to share your information. You will receive acknowledgement for your participation in this project.
I invite you to read my post about the Volusia Flagler Law Enforcement Memorial, located only a short distance from this memorial in downtown DeLand. The law enforcement memorial honors officers from Volusia and Flagler counties who lost their lives while on duty.
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New Smyrna Beach is where you will find the Turnbull Grand Canal Florida Historic Marker. The City of New Smyrna Beach and the Florida Department of Stateare the marker sponsors. In 2018 sponsors placed the monument for public viewing.
If you would like to read other posts on my blog about Florida historic markers, please CLICK HERE.
The National Register of Historic Places includes the Turnbull Canal System. You may see the National Park Service NRHP file using THIS LINK.
The Turnbull Grand Canal, also known as the Grand Canal, was built by indentured servants brought to the area by Scottish physician Dr. Andrew Turnbull in 1768. As part of the largest single attempt at British colonization in North America, Smyrnea Settlement, Turnbull attracted more than 1,400 Minorcans, Corsicans, Greeks, and Italians, who sought the promise of new opportunities in Florida. Turnbull was impressed by the Egyptian canal system and wanted to replicate it in Smyrnea. Three canals ran east-west and were linked with a fourth longer canal known as the Grand Canal that ran north-south and connected to Turnbull Bay. These hand-dug canals provided irrigation and drainage for rice, hemp, cotton, and indigo crops, and served as a mode of transportation within the colony. After nine years of harsh treatment under Turnbull, drought, and crop failures, the colony’s population fell to about 600 people. In 1777 a group of Smyrnea colonists walked 70 miles to St. Augustine to petition British East Florida Governor Patrick Tonyn for release from their indentures. After hearing the case, Governor Tonyn gave them their freedom and granted them land north of St. Augustine.
F-1025
A Florida Heritage Site
Sponsored by the City of New Smyrna Beach, the Historic New Smyrna Beach Preservation Commission, Mayor James Hathaway, Vice Mayor Jason McGuirk, Commissioner Judy Reiker, Commissioner Jake Sachs, Commissioner Randy Hartman, and the Florida Department of State.
2018
The Turnbull Grand Canal marker is located at the corner of SR 44 and Walker Drive in New Smyrna Beach. It is on the south side of SR 44 across Walker from Auto Zone.
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This post may contain affiliate links including Amazon.com.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence views and opinions provided in my blog.
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Thank you for taking time to visit this post on the Nocoroco Florida historic marker located at Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach.
If you would like to read other posts on my blog about Florida historic markers, please CLICK HERE.
Text
On this site was the Timucua Indian Village of Nocoroco. It was mentioned in the report of Alvaro Mexia’s expedition down the Florida east coast in 1605. It was the first Indian village south of St. Augustine noted by Mexia. The site was used during the British Occupation of Florida (1763-1783), and probably remained under cultivation until the Seminole Wars (1835-1842).
F-82
Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials 1962
The Seminole Wars (1835-1842) referenced in the marker also goes by the name, the “Second Seminole War.”
There are three distinct periods of time that claim the moniker of “Seminole War.”
The first is 1817-1818 and led to Spain ceding Florida to the United States.
The second, referenced above, lasted from 1835 until 1842. Because of its length and bloodiness, some historians call the Second Seminole War, The Seminole War. At the conclusion of hostilities, the United States Army transported more than 4,000 Seminoles west. I refer readers to the excellent book written by John K. Mahon titledHistory of the Second Seminole War: 1835-1842.
Historians often call the Third Seminole War, “The Florida War.” The Third Seminole War lasted from 1855-1858.
For readers seeking a good general history of the Seminole Wars, I recommend The Seminole Wars: America’s Longest Indian Conflict, written by John and Mary Lou Missall. This is a readable and digestible look at the conflicts and provides readers a gateway to more advanced works.
Park Admission Information
Tomoka State Park 2099 N. Beach Street Ormond Beach, FL 32174 Park Hours 8:00AM until Sundown 365 days per year Admission: $5 per vehicle (up to 8 passengers) $2 for pedestrians, bikes, extra passengers
For camping information or pavilion rental, please see the websitefor details.
Tomoka is a dog friendly park. Pets are permitted in designated areas and must be kept on a six foot leash. Please clean up after your pet.
No visit to Tomoka State Park is complete without a visit to The Legend of Chief Tomokie.
Chief Tomokie is a 45 foot tall monument created by artist and architect Fred Dana Marsh that was unveiled to the public on March 21, 1957. Marsh may be best known locally for having created the figures that adorn the Peabody Auditorium and for his home prior to his death, known as “The Battleship.”
Tomokie depicts a made up Native American legend, concocted by Doris Marie Mann Boyd. Oletta, the warrior princess, is shown aiming an arrow at Chief Tomokie who had dared to drink “the Water of Life from the Sacred Cup.” Tomokie in turn is threatening his assailants with a spear (that has long vanished from the monument.)
The reflecting pool area in front of the monument has been dry since 1974 according to Mark Lane. A museum featuring the work of Fred Dana Marsh opened at the park in 1961 but according to Lane closed in 1996. “The Battleship,” Marsh’s home, so nicknamed because neighbors felt it resembled a battleship when viewed from the road, was demolished with considerable controversy in 1996. The owners claimed the home beyond reasonable repair costs, but ultimately seem to have had no plan to build there and sold the property in multiple lots. Marsh’s home was located at 317 N. Ocean Shore Boulevard in Ormond Beach.
Tomokie Today
Today, The Legend of Chief Tomokie is in considerable disrepair despite several organized attempts to raise funds for restoration. Governor Jeb Bush vetoed state funding of $100,000 in 1999 despite local political support.
The monument, originally constructed from cement, brick dust, and bamboo rods, is still a favorite of visitors who marvel at the size and wonder if the legend could be true.
Artist Fred Dana Marsh was born April 6, 1872 and passed away on December 20, 1961.
Marker dedicated to Fred Dana Marsh, in front of what used to be a reflecting pool at the Chief Tomokie monument.
Find the 30 best things to do in Daytona Beach in my blog post HERE.
Sources
Davidson, Herbert, editorial. “The Meaning of a Statue.” Daytona Beach News Journal. March 23, 1957.
Egan, Bill. “Marsh’s Influence Still Lives in Work.” Daytona Beach News Journal. April 21, 1996.
“Fred Dana Marsh is Dead at 89.” Daytona Beach News Journal. December 21, 1961.
Gear, Barry. “Battleship Sails Into Memories, Onto Video.” Daytona Beach News Journal. May 20, 1996.
Griffin, John W. “Nocoroco, a Timucua Village of 1605.” Florida Historical Quarterly. Volume 27: No. 4. 1948.
Lane, Mark. “Curious Coast: What is that Statue at Tomoka State Park?” Daytona Beach News Journal. July 8, 2018.
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The Best in Florida Festivals and Events November 2023
Use this post to find the best in Florida festivals and events in November 2023.
Florida hosts some amazing events and festivals. Each month I hope to take a look at a dozen or so of these in hopes of bringing you fun, exciting, and unexpected ways to enjoy our state.
If you have an event or know of one coming up that you feel should be highlighted, please drop me a line with as much information as you can, including a website. I’ll be glad to include your suggestions in future posts.
Founded in 1923, the Volusia County Fair offers the chance to show livestock, horticulture, and home and craft products. Participants are able to compete for awards. Highlights of the fair include rides, games, live entertainment, and the Miss Volusia County Fair competition.
Come, celebrate with the pirates! See how they lived on land when ashore. Learn from some of the finest re-enactors on the East Coast. Watch and listen as the pirates set up an outpost in the city park. The park will be open from 12:00 noon on Friday November 3th. Come and purchase wares and clothing from Vendors Row. Listen to rousing, toe tapping sea shanties. Friday evening roam the town with the Pirates eating and drinking in the local establishments! Pirates YE BE WARNED! No open containers in public!
The festival features delicious seafood, arts and crafts exhibits, seafood related events, Musical Entertainment. Some of the notable events include Oyster Eating and Oyster Shucking contest, Blue Crab Races, Photo Contest, Parade, 5k Redfish Run, The Blessing of the Fleet, History of the Festival Exhibit and Tonging for Treasure.
Fun for the whole family! Come out and enjoy authentic Greek foods, dancing, live music, church tours, iconography presentations, and much, much more! Free admission but be advised, this is a cashless event.
The ninth annual Jacksonville PorchFest, a music festival held on the welcoming front porches of Historic Springfield, will take place on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 12 pm to 8 pm. The free, family-friendly event will feature musicians from a wide variety of genres. Afternoon entertainment will include more than twenty performers on porches throughout the historic district. Attendees will stroll from porch to porch and “camp out” on front lawns and sidewalks as they enjoy live, local talent. Food, drink, and arts vendors are to be found throughout the event.
Vendors and nurseries from all over the state come to Mount Dora, Florida. With a wide variety of Florida native and exotic plants, garden ware along with arts & crafts at this annual event you will find something you need to take home. Get gardening advice from Experts and let our volunteers help you take your plants to your car.
Under the Electric Sky, we come together to celebrate life, love, art, and music. From the stages and the sound to the pyrotechnics and the performers, so many unique elements go into bringing this world to life. We invite you to wander, explore, interact, and connect. Imagination and positive energy are the currency of this place.
Established in 2007 as a showcase for women in action sports, the Super Girl Pro Series is the only large-scale all-women’s action sports, esports and lifestyle series in the world. Developed as a celebration of female strength and empowerment, the platform has grown into a series of five incredible festivals centered around providing social, athletic, cultural, educational, business, and entertainment opportunities for young women in areas where they are traditionally underrepresented.
As you stroll through the Festival on Saturday feeling the balmy breeze while the sun sets you will be embraced in sensory delight as your journey takes you through a variety of Culinary Cuisines; a Welcome Reception, Italian, American, Mediterranean, Asia Pacific, Spanish, Sweet Endings Village, Spirits and BBQ Village, and the fan favorite Villages; Craft Brew, Fine Wine & Artisanal Cheese Village and Specialty Foods Village, Retail and Business Shopping Bazaar. The festival’s featured wines can be purchased during the event.
30+ Local Seafood Favorites, 10+ of Miami’s Finest Chefs fire up our Kitchen Lab, Amazing Cocktails by Miami’s top Mixologists, Live Music All Day, Big Kid Yard Games, Curated Nautical Market, Family Fun Zone with Huge Inflatables, Slides, Games & More!
Buy your tickets in advance to save. This event is rain or shine, no refunds.
Breweries from all over north and central Florida. Beer tastings of more than 20 different beers. Live music, food trucks, and free admission for designated drivers. VIP or General Admission tickets are available online. The proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Palatka.
Their 30th annual fine arts, juried festival held in the downtown area. Downtown DeLand will be full of artists, vendors, food, and live entertainment. This is a free event.
Established in 1996, the festival is now in its 27th year. Artists from across the state bring their talents, passion, and wares. Live music on Sunday.
Held annually at Daytona International Speedway, this event is a car lover’s dream. Here you can see amazingly restored cars, buy and sell cars, parts, and memorabilia, enjoy fellow enthusiasts, visit the handmade craft vendor section, and enjoy food and drink. This year, enter for a chance to win a 1932 Ford Roadster. Funds raised by the Turkey Run are kept within the local community.
Come from 9am-3pm to celebrate the holiday season at this family-friendly event. Enjoy local arts and crafts with live music and delicious food at MM 31. Experience original one-of-a-kind Island art and a wide array of crafts. FREE ADMISSION & PARKING!
I hope you have found interesting things to do in this look at the November 2023 Best Events and Festivals in Florida. Be sure to bookmark my site and check back for fun things to do in December in Florida!
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
Great Floridians 2000 Hawtense Conrad and George Davis of DeLand
The Great Floridians 2000 program recognizes individuals who distinguished themselves through their philanthropy, public service, or personal or professional service, and who have enhanced the lives of Florida’s citizens. The Great Floridians 2000 program honors Hawtense Conrad and George Davis of DeLand, Florida.
Members of the public nominated individuals by submitting a Great Floridians 2000 application to the state. The Great Floridians 2000 Committee, a group of seven distinguished historians from throughout Florida, was responsible for periodically reviewing and approving applications.
The program began in 1998 and was completed in 2000.
The distinctive blue plaques honor the men and women in the program. Plaques are attached to buildings or structures in the cities where the designee left their mark. The plaques do not contain biographical information. Many plaques have been removed and are no longer on display.
The official biographies published as part of the Great Floridians 2000 program are shown below. The information published by the state may or may not be accurate.
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Hawtense Conrad
Born in 1923, bought the Henry DeLand House in 19888 and donated it to the city of DeLand to house the collection of the West Volusia Historical Society. She also donated furniture and her time to both the DeLand House and the Stone Street Museum. She helped to establish the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum and rebuild the old African American hospital located in Bill Dreggors Park.
In 1997, she donated funds to build the Robert M. Conrad Research and Educational Center in her husband’s honor. Conrad was generous to organizations involving children and the handicapped. She belonged to the Polish American Pulaski Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Settlement for the Creative Arts, and the Lake Beresford Garden Club. She was also a charter member of Women of the Moose. In 1999, she was named “Philanthropist of the Decade” by the West Volusia Historical Society and West Volusia Citizen of the Year by the DeLand Breakfast Rotary Club. Conrad was also awarded the Gorge Schildecker Philanthropy Award by the Volusia County Trusts and Estates Council.
Hawtense Conrad died in 2000. Her Great Floridian plaque is located at the Burgess Building II, 230 North Stone Street, DeLand.
George Augustus Davis
Born in 1858 in Fayetteville, Georgia, attended Middle Georgia College and the Atlanta Medical College, graduating from the latter in 1890. Davis practiced in Atlanta until 1894 when he developed tuberculosis and relocated to DeLand.
Dr. Davis served as city and county health officer, physician for the Florida East Coast and Atlantic Coast Line Railways, and was a charter member of the DeLand Rotary Club. He was president of the DeLand Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Elks Club, Odd Fellows, Woodmen of the World, and the Volusia County Medical Association.
Dr. Davis died in 1948. His Great Floridian plaque is located at the Old DeLand Hospital 240 North Stone Street, DeLand.
Please note the misspelling of Davis’s middle name. This type error seems to have plagued the Great Floridians 2000 program.
Both Conrad and Davis are buried in Oakdale Cemetery in DeLand, FL. Hawtense Conrad’s husband, Robert, is also the recipient of a Great Floridians plaque. A future post will highlight Robert Davis.
The headstone of Hawtense Conrad does not contain her death date. She passed away on July 4, 2000, at age 77. You may find an online memorial for Hawtense Conrad HERE.
George Augustus Davis, the “Dean of Florida Physicians,” passed away early on the morning of February 20, 1948, after a lengthy hospital stay. You may find an online memorial for Davis HERE.
I hope you have enjoyed my post on the Great Floridians 2000 Hawtense Conrad and George Davis of DeLand, Florida. Please see my other Great Floridians 2000 posts HERE.
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Thank you for reading. Here you will find the 30 Best Things to do in Daytona Beach, Florida. Whether you are a visitor, a local, or a day tripper, there are many things that the entire family will enjoy. There are no chain locations or food listings. This list is meant to promote locally based attractions and shops. These are places you won’t find in every community or tourist destination. So jump in, and review the 30 best things to do in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Welcome to Daytona Beach. Image courtesy Volusia County Properties
DAYTONA BEACH
Known as the World’s Most Famous Beach or the home to the World Center of Racing, Daytona Beach has often staked its reputation and future on these two industries. The beach and the speedway are two things that are not going anywhere. They are the rock on which Daytona’s tourism future still stands. Daytona Beach is much more than the beach and NASCAR however. In fact, here are the 30 best things to do in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Yes, there is bike week and Biketoberfest. But, in speaking with longtime observers these events aren’t quite what they used to be. Sure, they bring people to town but the fact is, this is an aging market. It’s a market that has moved outward. This includes as Destination Daytona in Ormond Beach rather than the older hangouts in Daytona. Other cities within easy driving distance are also siphoning off visitors. In addition, bike events are held around the country. It’s not the novelty it used to be. Almost every tourist mecca has these events so Daytona doesn’t have the uniqueness it did many years ago. Bike Week isn’t going anywhere but I am not sure Daytona Beach should stake its name on the event.
Events come and go. Take spring break. Compared to the heydays’, spring break is almost a non-event today. Black College Reunion? The same thing. Today, in addition to the pop-up truck and jeep events that nobody in town other than hoteliers is interested in, the Welcome to Rockville, multi-day heavy metal concert is one of the biggest annual events. Of course, promoters can take their ball and go home any time they feel unloved or that they can get something better out of another town. I don’t foresee this being an event Daytona will hold on to long term without committing public funds. Local businesses seem to love this event and many claim it is their most profitable special event during the year.
A concern many event attenders voice about Daytona are accommodations. Many buildings have been damaged by hurricanes and have not reopened. Those that are in business are charging what these visitors consider exorbitant rates. It’s not my place to say whether that’s true or not but visitor actions speak loudly.
And while Daytona Beach often has an identity problem, compounded by multiple groups trying to promote and support tourism, don’t be scared away by the revolving door of publicity campaigns or the negativity about some of the seedier areas of the community. Pay attention to your surroundings, use common sense, and just like in any other city, you’ll be fine and have a good time.
TRAFFIC
Daytona Beach can run the gamut on traffic congestion.
I have been beach side when there is very little traffic. Mind you, that is during off season and during the work week. International Speedway Boulevard from say, Clyde Morris Boulevard to Beach Street is usually pretty busy no matter the time of year. In the vicinity you have a large high school and two colleges, in addition to ISB being a major thoroughfare to beach side. Congestion is inevitable.
During peak season, say March through August/September back to school, weekend driving can be pretty harsh in spots. If you are coming to town during one of the weeks there are races at the speedway, be prepared for major headaches on International Speedway Boulevard and the highways that funnel onto the road. Pay close attention to any of the temporary electronic billboards on the side of the road and keep an eye out for pedestrians, who often don’t think crosswalks apply to them.
During bike week events in March and October, be on the lookout. Traffic can be busy, especially near the Main Street and Destination Daytona areas. Bikers are notorious for riding in wide and deep packs with many not paying attention to larger vehicles. Bikers weaving in an out of traffic is common and making extra lanes is commonplace.
Spring break and certain truck, jeep, and other pop-up events, sanctioned and unsanctioned, can tie up beach side traffic to a point it is at a stop. Many of these people see a need to cruise slowly up and down A1A, causing gridlock on the narrow and heavily stop lighted A1A.
Summer traffic during the weekends can be heavy as the beach is a popular, low-cost way for people to spend the day. Beach entrances are limited and it just takes time to get cars through the toll booths. Just be patient or scout ahead and find some of the off-beach parking lots.
While we are on the topic of traffic, city leaders have a mind that there must always be some type of road construction going on. This is not usually fixing potholes and the like, but rather, some type of project meant to enhance the city image while usually tying up traffic for long periods and often not having the anticipated outcomes. Just shake your head and drive on. The project will be complete in two years when another will be started.
Google maps and a bit of patience are your friends and will get you around the Daytona Beach area.
WEATHER
The weather in Daytona Beach can be brutal during the summer months. Don’t let the online historical records tell you otherwise. Weather report numbers are recorded at Daytona Beach International Airport and may not be accurate throughout the area.
The NOAA states that from 1991 through 2020 the average high for the year is 80.6 with a low of 62.5. They claim the average high in July is 90.2 and in August is only 89.8. I strongly believe most locals would challenge these numbers as being too low. Daytona Beach is HOT, there is no way around it. Try shorts and t-shirts on Christmas many years hot.
When it comes to precipitation, be prepared, especially if visiting during late spring through the summer months. Violent thunderstorms can come on rapidly and if you are on the beach, lifeguards will be working to safely clear you out. Getting a packed beach safely cleared is an undertaking but the lifeguards to a fine job. The NOAA states Daytona Beach receives an average of 51.25 inches of rain and 119 rainy days per year.
A word on hurricanes and tropical storms. Don’t be the tough guy trying to brave out a storm beach side. If you are in town and there are evacuation notices issued, pay attention. If you are staying beach side, please remember that bridges are locked down after winds reach a sustained 40 mph. You won’t be able to change your mind and leave and EMS will probably not be able to reach you if something bad happens. It’s rare, but keep a watch on the weather if you are visiting during hurricane season.
Here’s a personal story about Daytona Beach weather. I have been to exactly one NASCAR race at DIS. When I worked in trade books, a couple of book reps were in town for February races and had extra tickets and very generously invited me to attend. This was the Saturday race so the grandstands were not full. We were wrapped in coats and freezing. The temperatures were kind of low and the wind was very strong through the grandstands. Despite the cold, the sun was so strong we all left with sunburned faces and necks.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN DAYTONA BEACH
So, you are thinking of visiting Daytona Beach. Maybe you are already in town on vacation and are looking for things to do. Well, here is a list of 30 best things do in Daytona Beach or local activities you should consider. I have provided hyperlinks to official websites or sites with considerable information. It is recommended you check these sites to confirm open hours and associated costs.
What you will not find on this listing are things such as shopping malls, bars, and restaurants. There may be these type activities associated with a few of the items listed but you can find a shopping mall on your own. Chain restaurants, which proliferate in Daytona Beach, can be found on almost any interstate exit. There is nothing unique or interesting about these places and their Daytona Beach franchises are no different. I strongly urge you to seek out local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and stores. Daytona has a lot of unique opportunities for you to try.
A word about using this list before you start. Many of these locations begin with the name Daytona or Daytona Beach. It can be easy to overlook this part of the listing but you will not want to miss some of these places.
This listing is alphabetical and not in order of favorites or by category. This list includes locations from Ormond Beach to the north through Port Orange and Ponce Inlet to the south. .
Finally, this list is by no means all inclusive. What are some of your favorites that I have not included? Drop me a line or leave a comment. Do you own or work at a destination I didn’t include? Let me know. Maybe I will update it to 31 things to do. Did you not enjoy one of the places I have listed. Leave a constructive comment and I will approve it for posting.
Are you looking for that hard to find title, or maybe something to help pass the time while lying in the sun at the beach? With well over 100,000 titles in stock, Abraxas Books is the place to go.
For full disclosure, I have known Jim, the owner, professionally for well over twenty years. I have purchased hundreds of books from him. He know his books.
Abraxas Books owner Jim Sass and the world famous bookstore cat Sterling. Image courtesy Abraxas Books.
A few words of advice you should heed. Jim loves cats. He enjoys dogs, but cats are the way to go. You are not likely to find James Patterson, John Grisham, or other exceedingly popular mainstream fiction authors on the shelves but you may find them on the carts outside. If you are seeking history, art, photography, philosophy, religious history and theory, classic literature, etc. this is your place.
Do not ask for a discount. Seriously. If you are buying multiple books, I have never not seen Jim take care of a customer. Jim is a straight shooter, widely read, and like most book dealers, is a good judge of character. Jim may be intimidating to some, but I tell you from experience, he is a good person and an asset to Daytona Beach.
Angell & Phelps has been handcrafting chocolates and other candies since 1925. Watch candy makers at work through large windows and purchase their wares to enjoy later. Free samples are provided.
A must visit if you are strolling along Beach Street. Stop in after visiting Abraxas Books and the Halifax Historical Museum or grab a snack before you see a film at Cinematique.
Most visitors to Daytona Beach come for THE BEACH. With over 23 miles of coastline and nearly 500 feet in width at low tide, much of it drivable, beach goers flock to The World’s Most Famous Beach. Please mind the 10 mph speed limit and watch for kids and those not paying attention. It is recommended to swim near staffed lifeguard stations as rip currents are common. These young men and women are well trained and will be able to assist if you are in danger.
It is illegal to disturb sea turtles, hatchlings, or nests. Seriously, if these are marked or you come across them, don’t press your luck. An additional point, don’t dig and leave holes on the beach. Sea turtles and hatchlings can easily become trapped in your hole. If you or your kids just have to dig, fill it in before leaving.
For beach pricing information please visit Volusia Beach Pass. Multiple options are available and off-site parking can often be found for no cost.
Relive the earliest days of beach racing and beach speed time trials The park includes monuments and a recreation of the Ormond Garage. The park is free to visit, and the beach is just a very short walk away. Park in the lot across A1A and walk over.
Calle Grande Arches
Calle Grande Street west of US-1 (Ridgewood Avenue) in Holly Hill
Calle Grande Arches Image courtesy Daytona Beach News Journal
Dating to the mid-1920s, the remains of the Calle Grande Arches are a true site to behold.
William Collins Hardesty was the man behind a proposed development called Rio Vista on the Halifax. Plans called for cottages, a large hotel, a golf course, and a canal for gondola rides. Today, the Riviera Hotel remains from the original development, now as an assisted living facility. The golf course is part of the Riviera Country Club.
The still standing arches, which are located at what was to be the entrance to the grand project, are situated on the banks of a dirty canal. The detail put into these columns is incredible. Painted to look like marble they provide the feel of ancient Rome.
When visiting, please use extreme caution and park well off the road. Calle Grande Street is a known for drivers exceeding the speed limit. In the past, drivers have hit and damaged the columns. Visitors should pay attention to where they are walking when visiting the site. Take nothing but photos and do not touch the arches. The arches are not in the best of condition and can easily be damaged. Also, you don’t want to end up taking a header into the canal.
One final word of warning, I have been told that the homeless often congregate around this area. Deal with them at your own risk.
Located between the Halifax River and the Atlantic Ocean, the Casements was built in 1913 and was purchased in 1918 as the winter home of John D. Rockefeller.
The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It was purchased by the city of Ormond Beach in 1974 with renovations completed in 1979.
The Casements is now a multi-use facility offering visitor tours, workshops, classes, and special event rentals. Be sure to see the Boy Scout and Hungarian folk exhibits located on the third floor. The annual Ormond Beach Celtic Festival is held close by.
On the grounds, be sure to seek out the small marker placed by the Society of American Travel Writers. Please read my post on this marker by using THIS LINK. There are also two identical two-sided state historic markers for The Casements.
The Casements, Florida Historic Marker Side 1The Casements, Florida Historic Marker Side 2
Founded in 1991, the 70-seat theater opened in 2010, providing an art house experience to visitors, showing first run independent, foreign, documentary, and art films that would not be available in Volusia County otherwise. This small theater fills a unique niche and has no comparable location in the county.
Ticket prices are around $10 per person. Limited food and drinks are available. Maybe stop in at Angell & Phelps for your movie snacks.
See the website for programming information and dates.
First opened in 1959, the “World Center of Racing” annually hosts some of the largest stock car events in NASCAR, including the season opening Daytona 500. Motorcycle races, concerts, vintage car shows, and an incredible, drive through, Christmas lights display are just a few of the things you’ll find throughout the year at the Speedway.
The speedway isn’t about racing only, however. The facility offers guided tours, the NASCAR Racing Experience, an incredible museum, shopping, and more. The One Daytona shopping center is across International Speedway Boulevard.
Be sure to take the self-guided tour outside the facility, including monuments and the NASCAR equivalent of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. See how your hands measure up against some of the greatest drivers in the world.
1000 Orange Avenue at Tuscawilla Park (be sure to take a stop at the World War I monument located close by.)
Two different courses are available allowing visitors to fit their schedule, ability, and budget to the attraction.
Test your skills on ladders, wooden bridges, tight rope cables, and zip lines.
Multiple pricing options are available. It’s about $55 to take both courses, plan on around 3 hours duration. Check their website for more information.
Who says there isn’t ice skating in Florida? The Tampa Bay Lightning have won two Stanley Cups in recent years and the Florida Panthers are a top hockey team also. Several minor league hockey teams call Florida home. Hockey is no longer a Canadian or northeast exclusive.
OK, so you aren’t ready for the NHL. How about a family friendly option instead? From public skating times, to skating and figure skating lessons, to hockey clinics, you can find it here in a clean and safe indoor environment.
601 Earl Street, located beach side, adjacent to the Ocean Center and the large parking garage. Nearby you will also find the Tourist Church, referenced below.
Located just a block from the beach, Daytona Lagoon has something for every member of the family: thrill slides, pools, go-karts, laser tag, arcade games, mini golf, a sky maze rope course, and more.
The waterpark is of course the main attraction here. It features several fun slides including Kraken’s Revenge, the Shaka Halfpipe, Blackbeard’s Revenge, and more. There is a lazy river, a lagoon pool, and a children’s play area for younger visitors. Life jackets and lifeguards are on site.
The best parking is in the County of Volusia parking garage located adjacent to the park. Parking costs $8 but bring your garage ticket and they will validate your visit and you will pay only $4 to park. That’s a great deal and your car stays cool in the heat of the day.
Visit the website for multiple ticket pricing options.
Open 9a-5p Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, this market, which opened in 1981, features over 1,000 booths and 600 vendors over many acres. From antiques to vegetables to cell phone cases to getting a tattoo, you can find it here. Parking, admission, and people watching are free.
For car enthusiasts, the first Saturday of the month features a Classic Car Cruise In.
Gnome Tree
1037 Riverside Drive in Holly Hill
Started in 2003 by a local couple, the original display of three gnomes at the base of a large oak tree has grown to several hundred gnomes who now “inhabit” the picturesque tree.
They even have a Facebook Page, The Gnomes of Holly Hill, Florida. Want more? There is a short, self published book available as well. Click THIS LINK to find it and purchase your own copy.
Located in the County of Volusia owned, Merchants Bank Building, the Halifax Historical Museum is home to hundreds of items of local interest including artifacts, photos, souvenirs, and family mementos. The bank building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is a site to see on its own.
Located next to Abraxas Books (see above). Afterwards, stop in at Stavro’s Pizza House located just two doors from the museum.
Parking is free. Museum admission is $10 for adults, under age 12 are free. Closed Sunday and Monday.
An overhead view of City Island Ballpark, now Jackie Robinson Ballpark close to how it looked when future Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson played there.
Originally opened in 1914 as City Island Ball Park, the present set up of field and seating dates to 1962. The field is currently home to the Bethune Cookman Wildcats baseball team and the Daytona Tortugas, the Cincinnati Reds low A farm team.
The ballpark is named after Hall of Fame player Jackie Robinson. It was in this stadium that he played his first spring training game in 1946. Stadiums in both Jacksonville and Sanford would not allow a mixed-race team to play on their fields and now Daytona Beach holds the honor of having hosted Robinson’s first game.
The ballpark was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Learn about the history of Jackie Robinson Day and how it is celebrated in Major League Baseball at THIS LINK.
Golf lovers have a top-notch reason to visit Daytona Beach. The home course of the LPGA Tour, LPGA International features two, eighteen-hole courses designed by Arthur Hills and Rees Jones.
Also onsite are a three-hole practice course, chipping and putting areas, a driving range, Malcolm’s Bar and Grill, a pro shop, and member only facilities.
Visit the website to book a tee time or learn more about membership.
Looking to play golf around Volusia County? Take a look at my listing of golf courses in the county HERE.
Not to be confused with the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach, the Marine Science Center, which opened in 2002, is operated by the County of Volusia.
From their website, this remarkable project has allowed Volusia County to stand at the forefront of county government efforts to educate our public about the marine resources of our area and to rehabilitate and release sea turtles and seabirds.
The site includes a nature trail, boardwalk, multiple exhibits, a touch pool that features several types of marine life including rays, and Turtle Terrace, where visitors can witness turtle rehabilitation in process.
In its twenty years of operation the facility has cared for more than 20,000 sea turtles and more than 18,000 birds in addition to hosting more than one million visitors.
Be sure to visit the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse if you visit here (see below for lighthouse information.)
Closed on Monday. Adult admission is $8, seniors $7, children ages 3-12 are $5.
Mary McLeod Bethune home. Image courtesy National Park Service
640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard
The home was built in 1905 and purchased for Dr. Bethune in 1913 and served as her primary residence until her death in 1955.
The home appears to be temporarily closed for tours. When it reopens guided tours from Foundation employees and student workers are free, but donations are accepted. I took a tour a couple of years ago and the student giving the tour was knowledgeable, friendly, and quite accommodating to our group.
The home was dedicated as a National Historic Landmark in 1975.
MOAS features many permanent, rotating, and traveling exhibits.
The Charles and Linda Williams Children’s Museum is a favorite for families. Also, a family favorite are the Root Family Museum exhibits including Coca-Cola memorabilia, a train station including two mid-century cars, a collection of teddy bears, and more. Every child will want to see the thirteen-foot-tall giant ground sloth fossil in the Prehistory of Florida gallery.
For adults, the Cuban collection is world renowned. African tribal objects, arms and armor, the gallery of American art, decorative arts, and Chinese art are available. The planetarium will be a hit with both adults and children in your group.
The Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Artfeatures perhaps the greatest collection of Florida art in the world. At more than 2,600 pieces the museum does a great job or rotating exhibits.
The museum is open seven days a week. A ticket combination package for MOAS and the Brown Museum is under $20 for adults. Separate pricing is available. A great bargain for art and history enthusiasts. This is without question one of the best museums in the state.
If you only have time for one activity, this is the one I recommend!
The Ocean Center is located adjacent to Daytona Lagoon and Peabody Auditorium and only a couple blocks from the Tourist Church. There is a parking garage across the street. The Ocean Center has parking on site but there is sometimes a charge, particularly if events are going on.
Conveniently located directly across from the World’s Most Famous Beach, the Ocean Center features an arena that can hold 9,000 people, an exhibit hall with over 93,000 square feet of space, and multiple conference and breakout rooms.
I have included the Ocean Center because it features a large public art collection that may be viewed during open hours. Also on site is the ECHO Gallery, an area of rotating exhibits featuring the ECHO themes; environmental, cultural, heritage, outdoor.
Be sure to take a virtual tour on the facility website.
Image courtesy Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens
Just as World War II came to an end, one artist with a vision, and the people of Ormond Beach, worked together to create something magical.
Artist Malcolm Fraser offered a collection of his life’s work to any town along the east coast of Florida that would create an art museum that paid tribute to veterans. Ormond Beach and her residents rose to the occasion and worked together to create a living monument to creative freedom and equality of all persons, and to commemorate the service of World War I & II veterans who fought valiantly for that ideal.
Today, the newly remodeled and expanded museum offers permanent exhibits, traveling shows, virtual exhibits, and courses of all type.
The Gardens offer native and exotic plants and provide a perfect backdrop for weddings and other celebrations. While touring the Gardens be sure to seek out the military plaques and sculptures.
Open Monday through Friday 10a-4p and weekends noon to four. Admission is free but a $2 donation is recommended. This is one of the best values an art lover will find.
Main Street across from the Boothill Saloon. The Boothill itself can be quite the destination if you are so inclined. As the saying goes, “Come on in and grab a seat. You’re better off here than across the street.”
Pinewood Cemetery, also known as Peninsula Cemetery, dates to the late 1880s, and contains the final resting spots for many of Daytona Beach’s earliest pioneers including names such as Day, Burgoyne, and Jackson. Military headstones indicate burials of men who fought in several different wars are interred her.
Cemetery hours look to be Monday through Saturday, 8 am-5 pm; closed on Sunday. The walk through the cemetery can be uneven so dress appropriately.
Hawaiian Inn Beach Resort 2301 S. Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores
An authentic interactive luau experience featuring hula dancing, flaming knife dancing, and more. Suitable for all ages. Includes an all you can eat tropical meal with dishes such as teriyaki chicken, kalua pork, Hawaiian pizza, multiple side dish options, Pepsi products, and a cash bar.
Current show times are at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday. Make your reservations through the website. Tickets look to be about $50 for adults.
Image courtesy Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. 30 Best Things to do in Daytona Beach, Florida.
4931 S. Peninsula Drive in Ponce Inlet
Step back in time and climb 175 feet of fun in the Florida sun at the Ponce Inlet Light Station and Museum! Constructed in 1887, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse has guided mariners along the Florida coast for more than 130 years.
Admission is about $7 for adults, with several discount programs available. Climb all 203 steps to the top if you dare. Remember, you have to come back down also. The views are worth it!
Be sure to visit the Marine Science Center if you are at the lighthouse. See the information above.
The lighthouse was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1998
Also known as Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens, the property is operated by a not-for-profit corporation and owned by the County of Volusia. Entrance is free and donations are appreciated. Donations benefit the not-for-profit organization and help them with park upkeep.
The property contains dozens of gardens and plants, but the real star of the show is the remains of a 19th century sugar factory that were part of the Dunlawton Plantation. Multiple interpretive panels will guide you through the history of the land and the artifacts you will find onsite. Don’t be surprised if you see a dinosaur or two while you are on the park grounds!
You will often find volunteers onsite who can provide information on the plants and flowers.
1200 W. International Speedway Boulevard (on the Daytona State College campus)
One of several excellent art museums in the Daytona area, the Southeast Museum of Photography exhibits, collects, preserves, and interprets photography to facilitate teaching and learning at Daytona State College and enhances the community’s understanding of, and appreciation of culture, history, and photography.
Check the website for current exhibits, dates, times, and special events.
Opened in 1940, this is the hotel where NASCAR was born! Once a dilapidated flophouse, the now fully renovated boutique hotel once served as local headquarters for the Women’s Auxiliary Corp during World War II.
Located directly across from the beach, the rooftop bar offers incredible views, or have dinner at the Victory Lane restaurant.
Tomoka is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with over 160 species sighted, especially during the spring and fall migrations. Visitors can stroll a half-mile nature trail through a hardwood hammock that was once an indigo field for an 18th-century British landowner.
The park protects a variety of wildlife habitats and endangered species such as the West Indian manatee. For many visitors however, Chief Tomokie is a highlight of the park.
A boat ramp gives boaters and canoeists access to the river. The park store offers snacks, camping supplies, and canoe rentals.
For overnight stays, the park has full-facility campsites and youth camping.
The Tourist Church, also known as the Seabreeze United Church of Christ and the First Congregational Church, is an historic church located at 501 North Wild Olive Avenue in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Built in 1929, it was designed by architect Harry Griffin in the Mission Revival Style of architecture. Today it is an active United Church of Christ congregation.
On October 6, 1995, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
You need to see this church to understand just how interesting it is. From the coquina to the stained glass. It’s worth the stop especially if you are visiting the Ocean Center or Daytona Lagoon. They are very close to each other.
The Tourist Church as depicted in an early 20th century postcard.
I hope you have enjoyed the 30 best things to do in Daytona Beach, Florida and that it makes your visit a memorable one. Please let me know of your favorites or places I should add.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
If you are visiting Daytona Beach, make the short drive to Sanford and visit the Central Florida Zoo. Click this link or the image for your “skip the line” tickets.
The Great Floridians 2000 program was designed to recognize individuals who distinguished themselves through their philanthropy, public service or personal or professional service, and who have enhanced the lives of Florida’s citizens.
Anyone could nominate an individual to be designated a Great Floridian 2000 by submitting a Great Floridians 2000 application. These applications were periodically reviewed by the appointed Great Floridians 2000 Committee, a group of seven distinguished historians from throughout Florida.
The program, begun in 1998, was completed in 2000.
The distinctive blue plaques honoring the men and women in the program are attached to buildings or structures in the cities where the designee left their mark. No biographical information is included on the plaques.
The short biography below is the official biography published as part of the Great Floridians 2000 program.
Lorenzo Dow Huston
Lorenzo Dow Huston Great Floridians 2000 marker on display inside City Island Library in Daytona Beach**
Lorenzo Dow Huston was born in 1820 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was admitted to the Kentucky Conference as a Methodist minister and was a journalist and editor of the Christian Advocate in Nashville, Tennessee before the Civil War. In 1874 he retired from the ministry and with his family settled in Daytona at the Palmetto House. Mary Huston Hoag, Huston’s sister, had bought the Palmetto House in 1874.
Dr. Huston was appointed Daytona’s first mayor in 1876, served as a justice of the peace, and was Volusia County Superintendent of the Public Schools. He served as a county commissioner and in 1887 was appointed by Governor Perry to the State Railroad Commission.* That same year he and his wife Maria died of yellow fever within a few days of each other.
Huston’s Great Floridian plaque is located at the Volusia County Library Center, 105 East Magnolia Avenue, Daytona Beach.
Below, is a small bit of additional research into the life of Huston. It might call into question his inclusion as a “Great Floridian.” I have not delved deeply into the life of Huston, or his political activities in Volusia County, but he does seem to have a problematic history that the author of the above biographical short either was unaware of or purposefully ignored.
Before arriving in Daytona Beach, Reverend Dow ran afoul with the law, and prior to that, United States military forces.
The Adams Sentinel reported on October 10, 1865, that Huston had been arrested by the order of General James Sanks Brisbin after complaints from a local congregation. Huston was described as having “attempted to force himself upon a local congregation against their will.” The arrest order called Huston a “notorious Rebel preacher.”
The “notorious rebel” line could make sense. The 1860 United States Slave Census shows a Lorenzo Huston, living in Tennessee, owning a single female slave, age 26. When cross referenced with the 1860 United States Census, this same Lorenzo is listed as married to Maria and is shown as being employed in “Methodist Clergy” with real estate valued at $4,000 and a personal estate of $6,000.
A New York Times article dated June 17, 1872, reprinted from the Baltimore Sun dated June 15, 1872, ran under the headline “Indictment of Rev. Dr. Huston for Adultery—Curious Provisions of the Maryland Law.”
Reverend Huston was accused of committing adultery with a “Sunday School girl” by the name of Mary Driscoll in January 1872.
For a full history of this event, it is recommended that readers read the following article.
Curtis, Peter H. “A Scandal in Baltimore: The Trials of the Reverend Lorenzo Dow Huston, 1872-1873.” Maryland Historical Review. Vol. 105: No. 3 (Fall 2010) 227-242.
This scholarly article may be referenced using THIS LINK.
Reverend Huston was to later write his own account, which may be purchased using THIS LINK. The Volusia County library system does not hold this title. They do, however, hold non-circulating copies of All We Have to Fear is the Lonesome: The Letters of L.D. Huston from Pre-Civil War Days Through his Relocation to the Florida Frontier in 1874, edited by Maria M. Clifton. CLICK HERE for library holdings.
Lorenzo Dow Huston headstone Image courtesy Findagrave
An online memorial to Huston may be found using THIS LINK.
Additional posts from the Great Floridians 2000 series may be found by using THIS LINK.
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Prior to the first incorporation in 1927, in 1906, local residents F. W. Hatch, H. J. Magruder, and Leonard Mosby formed the Oak Hill Village Improvement Association with goals of organizing community events and resolving any local problems. The Association purchased a lot located at what is now 146 U.S. Highway 1. Here, they constructed a Town Hall building as a meeting space. The building was constructed in a single story octagonal design. The reason this design was created and the name of the architect are lost to time according to the NRHP nomination form.
A park, adjacent to the Hall was dedicated in Dr. Chung’s honor on May 21, 1995. Approximately 100 persons turned out for the ceremony which featured a chorus from Burns-Oak Hill Elementary School and a solo from singer Pat Plummer. A reception in Dr. Chung’s honor was held in the Hall after the park dedication.
Village Improvement Association Hall
Located at the Historic Volusia County Courthouse is the 
Tomokie Today
