Ralph DePalma driving champion and winner of hundreds of races, sets new 1 mile record driving 905 cubic inch V-12 powered Packard on the beach at 149.875 mph. DePalma also sets world records for distances of 2 to 20 miles and standing mile. His . . . — — Map (db m134338) HM
Fighting flames at end of run, Tommy Milton drives twin engine Duesenberg to new world land speed record of 156.046 mph for measured mile. Milton replaces DePalma as world record holder of all distances up to 5 miles. — — Map (db m134346) HM
In April, Sig Haugdahl is first to break 3 miles per minute with run of 180.270 mph driving “Wisconsin Special” powered by modified aircraft engine. — — Map (db m134481) HM
In March Major H.O.D. Segrave sets world record and is first to break 200 mph barrier with two way average run of 203.792 mph. Within 1 hour period driving 1000 horsepower Sunbeam Mystery.
Segrave experiences severe wind buffet against head . . . — — Map (db m134543) HM
Greatest beach speed battle in history involves several top rivals driving radically different vehicles. England’s Capt. Malcolm Campbell sets world record driving ???? cubic inch 900 horsepower Bluebird at 206.956 mph.
In April, American . . . — — Map (db m134548) HM
Two months after crashing into surf in his
innovative 182 cubic inch twin supercharged
V-16 powered “Stutz Black Hawk” Frank
Lockhart returns and runs 198.292 mph on first
attempt. Approaching Measured Mile at 225 mph for return . . . — — Map (db m135139) HM
Major Seagrave sets record driving Napier Aircraft engined “Golden Arrow” at 231.362 mph. Seagrave eventually knighted for Land & Speedboat records. — — Map (db m134550) HM
Packard chassis powered Cummins diesel engine runs measured mile and sets first American record by diesel powered automobile. Kaye Don, driving the stunning 31 foot long “Sunbeam Silver Bullet”, the longest car to race on the beach, . . . — — Map (db m134604) HM
After taking 3 years to develop a new 1350 horsepower Napier engined “Bluebird” Malcolm
Campbell arrives to attempt breaking the 240 mph barrier. In February, he sets 1 mile world record of 245.733 mph. Chessie Cummins is first to . . . — — Map (db m134608) HM
Knighted for contributions to science of
engineering & high speed, Sir Malcolm Campbell
returns and sets world record of 253.968 mph.
Campbell’s next goal is 300 mph. — — Map (db m134644) HM
Campbell drives “Bluebird” powered by Rolls-Royce aircraft engine. Exceptional torque and 2500 horsepower cause problems but Campbell runs World Record of 272.108mph. — — Map (db m134645) HM
In March, Campbell returns and breaks 300 mph
with speed of 330 mph on first leg of
two way run. High winds on return run hold
World Record to 276.820 mph. — — Map (db m134796) HM
With land speed record runs on these sands ended, a new type of speed event began here
when stock cars raced on 3.2 mile beach–road course. 27 starters ran south on paved
road A1A and north of the beach, struggling through a turn at each . . . — — Map (db m134884) HM
Inaugural Daytona Beach stock car race 240 on 3.2 mile beach road course qualifying speeds from 58.6 to 70.39 mph. Milt Marion in ’36 ford convertible declared winner at average speed just over 52 mph; 2nd- Bea Shaw; 3rd- Tommy Elmore; 4th- Sam . . . — — Map (db m134904) HM
North and South Turns of the Beach – Road Course improved to minimize rutting. Sig Haugdahl and Bill France secured Elks Club funding for the 1937 race. For 1938, Bill France and Charlie Reese promoted and financed races. — — Map (db m135566) HM
Before the first race, a rules change allowed higher compression ratios for increased speeds. Second race won by 1932 Ford with no fenders nor windshield. Prompting rules change to ensure strictly stock appearance.
Third race thrilled spectators . . . — — Map (db m135567) HM
In first race, a car flipped on its roof. Driver being loaded into an ambulance regained consciousness, got help uprighting car, reentered race to finish 15th. Cannonball Bob Baker, who worked at France’s local gas station, outran him for third . . . — — Map (db m135572) HM
Four races, in first race, Lloyd Seay dazzled crowd with flat out driving. Often cornering on 2 wheels. He flipped twice in race but still finished 7th. Seay’s cousin, Roy Hale, was winner and Smokey Purser runner-up. Lloyd Seay finished 4th in . . . — — Map (db m135577) HM
Grandstands rotted during war years. Rented circus bleachers used at first postwar race won by disabled veteran, Red Byron, after Roy Hall’s car broke. Convincing win in other race by Roy Hall. After competing in all 16 Beach-Road course races, . . . — — Map (db m135775) HM
Red Byron easily won January race. Bob Flock won March and August races. Raymond Parks owned cars that won many pre-war Daytona races and won all 5 Beach- Road races in 1946-1947. Auto Racing , founded Dec. 14, 1947, when Bill France convened . . . — — Map (db m135776) HM
Displeasure over public road closing prompted Bill France to eliminate time trials before some Daytona Races. He moved south to more remote Ponce Inlet course. First NASCAR sanctioned race ever held was held here on new Beach-Road course Feb 15, . . . — — Map (db m135789) HM
Ponce Inlet course lengthened to 4.3 miles. January race with 75 starters won by local driver/mechanic, Marshal Teague. Switch to newer car strictly stock rule for July. Red Byron drove winning 1949 Olds wrenched by Red Vogt. 3 women raced. Ethel . . . — — Map (db m136136) HM
Beginning of February “Speedweek” format with Saturday Modified race and Sunday Grand National race, formerly strictly stock. Modified race had 17 cars crash on first lap and 6 more crash after restart. Nearly 2/3 of Modified entrants . . . — — Map (db m136139) HM
Less powerful “Sportsmen’s” cars specified for Speedweek’s 1st race as lower speeds were sought. Many of 91 starting Sportsmen’s cars were detuned modifieds without dual carburetors and racing heads. A racer flipped into dune area . . . — — Map (db m136143) HM
Sportsman cars (formerly Sportsmen’s) ran in same race with Modified’s Modified-Sportman race had 118 starting drivers with 1st 11 finishers in modifieds. Roll bars became mandatory. Tim Flock finished 1st but disqualified for improper (wooden) roll . . . — — Map (db m136170) HM
All starting positions determined by speed in measured mile on beach straight. Modified – Sportsman race had 136 cars take green flag and massive pileup on first lap. 85 cars failed to finish. Top 10 finishers were modifieds. Cotton Owens . . . — — Map (db m136174) HM
1st Speedweek triple header. Top 50 finishers in Friday’s Sportsman race would run with Modifieds on Saturday when 104 cars started . Dick Kaufman 1st stock car racer fatality on beach. Sunday’s Grand National race saw Lee Petty declared winner . . . — — Map (db m136312) HM
Big incentive money offered to winner. If running fish carburetor, Speedy Thompson claims money, winning Sportsman race by 2.5 minutes, bad crash on lap 20 ended Modified Sportsman race. Al Boggs, seriously burned, dragged from fire by Cotton . . . — — Map (db m136796) HM
To the memory of the known Revolutionary Soldiers who removed to Florida Evan Andress • John Bessent • John Brown • Henry Edwards • John Fletcher • William Gay • Zachariah Gherkins • Morton Gray • James Hall • Joab Horne • Amos Latham • John Liles . . . — — Map (db m46877) HM
Roberto Clemente Walker Was One Of The Greatest Baseball Players Ever To Play Right Field. His Pride And Humanitarianism Won Him Universal Admiration. Despite An Unorthodox Batting Style, The Pirates’ Great Won Four Batting Crowns And Amassed 3,000 . . . — — Map (db m105773) HM
In 1968, Shirley Anita Chisholm, known as “Fighting Shirley Chisholm”, a former educator and member of the New York State Assembly, became the first black woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Known for her incisive debating style . . . — — Map (db m105812) HM
On April 25, 1898, the United States declared war with Spain following the Cuban War of Independence and the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in the harbor at Havana. The result was the 1898 Treaty of Paris, which allowed temporary control of Cuba, . . . — — Map (db m154697) WM
Jackie Robinson excelled in all sports. On May 7, 1938, while at Pasadena Junior College, he set a National Junior College record in long jump with a jump of 25 feet 6½ inches. This record was previously held by Jackie’s older brother Mack, . . . — — Map (db m108476) HM
The Florida frontier remained relatively empty until after the Civil War. During the late 1860's, both northerners and native southerners perceived great potential in Florida. Among the places they settled was Tomoka, which became Daytona in 1871. . . . — — Map (db m34697) HM
Tecumseh’s War
1811
This war, fought against the Tecumseh Confederacy, resulted in the end of European conquest in the Great Lakes region.
Causalities Unknown
Creek War
1813 - 1814
This was a regional war fought between . . . — — Map (db m154664) WM
Crossed north to south near this site. This road was constructed from 1763-1773 by the English, connecting St. Augustine north to St. Mary's River and south to New Smyrna, Florida. First originated as an Indian trail, and later improved by the . . . — — Map (db m45478) HM
The Ormond Garage. America’s first “Gasoline Ally”, was built on Granada Boulevard in 1904 by oil and rail magnate Henry M. Flagler for the use of racers and wealthy patrons. The building was destroyed by fire in 1976. — — Map (db m132909) HM
On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war against the United Kingdom for the British impressment of American sailors into the Royal Navy, the interception of neutral ships and blockades of the United States. The conflict resolved political . . . — — Map (db m154660) WM
In memory of the sons and daughters of this community who served in the wars of their country ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ In grateful appreciation City of Daytona Beach Florida 1963 They have not sacrificed in vain as long as you remember . . . — — Map (db m46842) HM
Dedicated To Those Who
Served Our Country
United States Air Force Robert B. Dorsey · Francis J. Bousquet · Sal J. Devincenzo · Robert C. Kellerman · John J. Adazzio · James F. Bailey · Michael L. Myerson · Kenneth H. Wilson · William F. . . . — — Map (db m107425) HM
Following a series of aggressions by North Vietnam, including attacks on U.S. forces in the Gulf of Tonkin, the U.S. Congress authorized the deployment of U.S. forces for warfare against North Vietnam. Beginning in 1964, U.S. forces gradually . . . — — Map (db m154921) WM
After communist losses during the Tet Offensive and increasing political pressures at home, in 1969, the U.S. began a gradual withdrawal of ground forces, with U.S. military involvement ending in the spring of 1975.
The war ended after the . . . — — Map (db m154925) WM
Wendell Smith, (Sports Columnist) And Billy Rowe, (Photographer) Worked For The Pittsburgh Courier, Once The Country’s Most Widely Circulated Black Newspapers With A National Circulation Of Almost 200,000. The Courier Sought To Empower African . . . — — Map (db m106505) HM
January 18, 1958, a strong, diligent athlete by the name of Willie O’Ree broke the color barrier in the National Hockey League. Playing with the Boston Bruins in Montreal, against the Canadians. Often referred to as the “Jackie Robinson of . . . — — Map (db m106466) HM
On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war with Germany, and on December 7, 1917, with Austria and Hungary. By the end of the war in November of 1918, four major powers ceased to exist, and the map of Europe was redrawn. With more than nine . . . — — Map (db m154806) WM
To the honor and glory of the East Volusia County boys who gave their services and of those who gave their lives in the World War ⋆ Allston Dryer ⋆ Arthur Helm ⋆ Charles F. Hickman ⋆ James R. McConnell . . . — — Map (db m46852) HM
On December 8, 1941, the United States declared war against Japan in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Days later, Germany formally declared war against the United States, starting a global war which ultimately claimed between 50-85 . . . — — Map (db m154861) WM
European Theatre
Beginning with Germany’s invasion of Poland, by June of 1940, Germany had taken control of a large portion of Western Europe, and was moving to invade the United Kingdom. Allied forces, led by the U.S. and British forces, . . . — — Map (db m154863) WM
European Theatre
The D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 put over 180,000 troops ashore in Normandy, creating a beachhead that would eventually result in over 3 million Allied soldiers on Germany’s Western Front. Combined with the Eastern Front . . . — — Map (db m154864) WM
Pacific Theatre
After three years of fighting over a vast area of the southwest Pacific, the war against Japan culminated in the atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese unconditional surrender formally took place aboard the . . . — — Map (db m154872) WM
DeBary HallBuilt in 1871 by Baron Frederick de Bary. Born 1815 in Germany of Belgian descent, de Bary came to New York in 1840 as agent for Mumm's Champagne. His estate of many hundred acres here in Florida was a hunting and fishing preserve . . . — — Map (db m46164) HM
This bell was part of a set of 11 chimes originally designed for a Methodist Church in Pennsylvania. Lincoln Hulley, Stetson University's second president, acquired the bells in 1915 and they were mounted in the cupola of Elizabeth Hall. When the . . . — — Map (db m46817) HM
This site has a long history with the "written word." On April 7, 1883, the first issue of the Orange Ridge Echo was printed here in a wood-frame building. This paper later became the Chronicle, which eventually became the Volusia . . . — — Map (db m46137) HM
In 1883 two young boys, Samuel Jordan and Wylie Swift, built a circular skating rink in a tent on this corner. It was a popular entertainment site when DeLand was little more than a pioneer village. Around 1885 this brick building was erected to . . . — — Map (db m46204) HM
The oldest building in Florida in continuous use for higher education and the first building on the Stetson University campus. Originally housed the library, chapel, classrooms, gymnasium and offices. Later used as women's residence, kindergarten, . . . — — Map (db m45502) HM
On this site in 1882 George A. Dreka built his 2-story department store that later was expanded to four floors to also hold the Carrolton Hotel. In the 1886 fire that consumed much of the town, blankets were hung from the balconies and kept wet by a . . . — — Map (db m46128) HM
Imagine the front of this now-modern building with parapets, decorative geometric tiles, and elaborate curvilinear windows on the facade. At the center was an ornate kiosk ticket office, naming it for the popular department store adjacent to it, . . . — — Map (db m50089) HM
Although there has been a structure on this site since at least 1885, this building was erected about 1897. From the late 19th to the middle 20th century, most of DeLand's grocery stores were located along Woodland Blvd. Bushnell, Cantrell, Conrad, . . . — — Map (db m45708) HM
Capt. James B. Jordan came to DeLand in 1876. While serving in a North Carolina regiment during the civil war, Capt. Jordan was wounded and taken prisoner in July 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. Following the war, he came to Florida and opened . . . — — Map (db m46028) HM
Around 1907 V. Ward Gould and Arthur Voyle opened DeLand's first silent movie business here. With straight backed chairs for the audience and sheeting for a screen, they rigged up a projection booth and hired a pianist to furnish the music. The film . . . — — Map (db m45540) HM
When Hettie Austin came to this community from Indiana in 1876, she immediately began roaming about in her "sad little mule-drawn cart" soliciting contributions for a Methodist Church. Henry DeLand convinced her that the greater need was for a . . . — — Map (db m49946) HM
The First United Methodist Church was established August 1, 1880. It was the first church organized in the new settlement of DeLand. Three years later, this building was completed for worship services. It was a simple frame structure with a bell in . . . — — Map (db m45667) HM
In 1888, Henry A. DeLand donated land for the construction of a wooden courthouse after the city of DeLand became the new seat for Volusia County. Starting in 1927, construction began on a new courthouse designed in the Neoclassical style. Competed . . . — — Map (db m136023) HM
In 1888, Henry A. DeLand donated land for the construction of a wooden courthouse after the city of DeLand became the new seat for Volusia County. Starting in 1927, construction began on a new courthouse designed in the Neoclassical style. Competed . . . — — Map (db m136024) HM
In 1905 the Landis & Fish Law Firm erected a brick one-story Romanesque-style building on this site. As the firm grew, it was enlarged in 1925 to the two-story Federal structure you see today. Begun by Cary D. Landis and Bert Fish, the firm was . . . — — Map (db m46032) HM
In this block, early settler Charles A Miller owned a hay & grain store, livery stable, and buggy & carriage shop. All fell to the flames of the 1886 fire. Miller was among the first to rebuild, erecting the two-story brick building you see today. . . . — — Map (db m46050) HM
This building was the St. John's Masonic Lodge #7. The cornerstone, containing the membership rolls of the Masonic bodies in DeLand, was laid Sept. 14, 1925. Designed by local architects, Carpenter & Bent, the lower floor originally accommodated a . . . — — Map (db m45669) HM
This historically significant landmark opened in 1922 as a silent film/vaudeville theatre. Once the entertainment centerpiece of the county, the Athens operated continuously for nearly seventy years, changing its programming over time as technology . . . — — Map (db m46141) HM
According to early sources, the first post office in DeLand was in the rear of the Jordan & Lancaster store on West Indiana Avenue somewhere "between Woodland Boulevard and Florida Avenue." Dr. G. W. Lancaster, DeLand's first druggist, was also the . . . — — Map (db m45603) HM
The three buildings called "The Haven Block" extend from 112 to 116 N. Woodland Blvd. These three Romanesque-style buildings have been home to countless businesses for over a century. In their early history was Haven's Hall on the second . . . — — Map (db m45638) HM
This corner was the site of DeLand's first newspaper, The Volusia County Herald, first published on May 10, 1877 by Henry DeLand. It was succeeded in 1878 by The Agriculturalist, edited by Col. C. C. Codrington, Gov. General of the . . . — — Map (db m45727) HM
The Woman's Club of DeLand was organized in March 1906, and was incorporated on July 26 of that year with ninety-two charter members. Nearly from its inception club members wanted to have their own clubhouse. The organization purchased a lot on West . . . — — Map (db m45507) HM
This landmark was built on property donated by the city's founder - Henry DeLand. It replaced the first Volusia County Courthouse, which was completed in 1894 and occupied until it was torn down in the 1920's to make way for its successor. In 1995, . . . — — Map (db m46191) HM
"The Great Fire" occurred late at night on Sept. 27, 1886. It is thought to have started from a smouldering cigar igniting the sawdust on the floor of the Wilcox Saloon in this block. The buildings, constructed of pine, were instantly engulfed. The . . . — — Map (db m50003) HM
(side 1)
African American families living in DeLeon Springs in the 1920s needed a better school. The Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church was no longer adequate and classes moved to St. Joseph Lodge, but it also was too small. In . . . — — Map (db m101681) HM
The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home was established here in 1908 as the Florida Methodist Orphanage. Children come from situations of abuse, neglect, broken and dysfunctional families, abandonment and other troubling circumstances. This . . . — — Map (db m93338) HM
On March 16. 1864 Acting Ensign Sanborn, commanding the USS Columbine of the Union fleet, which was patrolling the St. Johns River into Lake Monroe, landed at Enterprise and sent Mr. Davis and a squad of men from the 48th New York infantry to . . . — — Map (db m127266) HM
Merci Box Car — Arrived in America in 1949 — A token of appreciation from the people of France to the people of America — Built between 1872 and 1885 — They were called 40 and 8's, carried either 40 men or 8 horses . . . — — Map (db m34796) HM
A public park and picnic area dedicated to
William Wallace Ross
by resolution of City Council
of Holly Hill, Florida, 1957-1958
William Ross pioneered here in the late 1860’s.
On this point he built a log cabin home . . . — — Map (db m143212) HM
During Florida's British Colonial period, 1763-1783, Doctor Andrew Turnbull established the largest North American colony at this site. Approximately 1300 Minorcans, Greeks, and Italians comprised the colony named after Smyrna, Asia Minor, the . . . — — Map (db m72962) HM
“Now it is time to take longer strides – time for a great new American enterprise – time for this nation to take a clearly leading role in space achievement, which in many ways may hold the key to our future on . . . — — Map (db m159699) HM
Some students of the Cruger-dePester ruins believe this iron beam came from the plantation's sawmill. Meant to transfer force from a steam engine to a cutting blade, it probably was cast in New York along with the sugar factory’s other heavy . . . — — Map (db m148828) HM
To commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the shelling and burning of the Sheldon House on this site July 26th during the War Between the States by Union gunboats Oleander and Bouregard — — Map (db m75067) HM
Welcome to Volusia County's Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park—once part of a nationally known African-American resort. Named for a noted educator and presidential advisor, this spot gave black people a place of their own when most Florida beaches . . . — — Map (db m131762) HM
Over the years, this one-time sugar factory became a source of local building materials and myths. Salvagers carried off coquina blocks, and the massive machinery went to the Dunlawton mill, in present-day Port Orange.
Even so, enough . . . — — Map (db m148891) HM
Coronado Beach was settled by Foster G. Austin in 1885. Austin built a series of beachside cottages approximately one mile south of Flagler Avenue. In its early days, Coronado Beach, named after Austin’s native community in California, served . . . — — Map (db m93313) HM
RSS Feed