You’re in northeast Volusia County now, and going through North Peninsula State Park. More to it than beach, but that’s probably what attracts most folks here.
There’s a small group of state parks of historic interest to the west. Two contain NRHPs, Bulow Plantation and Tomoka State Park (Nocoroco). Tomoka also has the Fairchild Oak, one of the oldest anywhere. See what happens to an oak tree that’s grown nigh unchecked for over 400 years. (see Google map)
- North Peninsula State Park (40 Highbridge Road)
- Bulow Creek State Park (3351 Old Dixie Highway)
- Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park (5 miles south of Bulow Creek) (NRHP)
- Tomoka State Park (2099 North Beach Street)
- Nocoroco (in Tomoka State Park) (NRHP)
Last stop this go-round is Ormond Beach. I don’t know if it’s considered a suburb of Daytona Beach, but there’s no clear demarcation between the two. My folks would take occasional getaways here. Probably helped that if you take SR 40 east from Ocala, you go straight into Ormond Beach.
Most of the NRHPs are near the beach, including the Casements, where John Rockefeller used to hang out. A sad loss is the Ormond Hotel, which was demolished 20 years ago. Only a cupola is left, which you can find in Fortunato Park, on the east side of the SR 40 bridge. It’s also a good place to leave your car to explore Ormond Beach east of the Halifax River. Particularly the fancy houses on North Anderson Drive, which you can’t park anywhere near. Before you get there, go to Cassen Park on the west side opposite city hall. There’s a boardwalk that goes out into the river and under the bridge. (see Google map) (see Google map)
- Three Chimneys Archaeological Site (715 West Granada Boulevard) (NRHP)
- Lippincott Mansion (150 South Beach Street) (NRHP)
- The Porches (176 South Beach Street) (NRHP)
- Anderson-Price Memorial Library Building (42 North Beach Street) (NRHP)
- Ormond Yacht Club (63 North Beach Street) (NRHP)
- Dix House (178 North Beach Street) (NRHP)
- Ormond Hotel (30 John Anderson Drive) (NRHP) (demolished, only cupola remains)
- The Casements (15 East Granada Avenue) (NRHP)
- Casements Annex (127 Riverside Drive) (NRHP)
- Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens (78 East Granada Boulevard)
- Ormond Fire House (160 East Granada Boulevard)
- Talahloka (19 Orchard Lane) (NRHP)
- John Anderson Lodge (71 Orchard Lane) (NRHP)
- Rowallan (253 John Anderson Drive) (NRHP)
- The Hammocks (311 John Anderson Drive) (NRHP)
Hope you liked this slice of Floridiana. Be safe out there, and see you on the road!
Route length: 55 miles (SR 207), 60 miles (US 1), 60 miles (A1A)
