New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Anniversary of Shelling by Union Gunboats
1863 - 1963
Erected by the Volusia County Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 29° 1.621′ N, 80° 55.313′ W. Marker is in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in Volusia County. Marker can be reached from North Riverside Drive north of Julia Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at Old Fort Park across from the city marina. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 North Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach FL 32168, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1768 British Colony of New Smyrna (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Sheldon's New Smyrna Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); To the Past... (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Andrew Turnbull (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Emory L. Bennett Park (about 400 feet away); New Smyrna Museum Of History (about 500 feet away); Turnbull Canal (about 500 feet away); The Connor Library (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Smyrna Beach.
More about this marker. The marker is mounted on a block of coquina, facing toward North Riverside Drive. It sits atop an earthen elevation containing the remains of an ancient Native American shell mound. Built into the mound is a fortress-like foundation of quarried coquina, the exact origin of which is unknown. These features have been listed with the National Register of Historic Places under the name Old Fort Park Archeological Site. Additionally, the site and marker both lie inside the boundaries of the New Smyrna Beach Historic District, also recognized by the NRHP.
Regarding Anniversary of Shelling by Union Gunboats. The Sheldon House was a residence and hotel that was built atop the large coquina foundation still found at the site today.
Also see . . . Assault on New Smyrna, Florida, July 1863. This post at the "Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial Blog" offers details about the attack, which along with shelling from the Oleander and the Beauregard, involved other Union vessels and resulted in the capture or loss of Confederate ships and cargo. (Submitted on July 7, 2014, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2014, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 710 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2014, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.