New Smyrna Beach
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points to aboriginal populations at least as early as 2000 BC. Centuries
of oyster feasts contributed to an estimated 33,000 cubic yards of shells
covering 2 acres and about 50 feet high at famous Turtle Mound (8 miles
south on A1A). It is the largest, but only one of many. By 1769 Dr. Andrew
Turnbull, a Scot, had recruited 200 Greeks, 110 Italians and 1190
Minorcans to homestead his royal land grant of 101,000 acres. He named the
colony "New Smyrna." Shortages, mosquitoes and disease led to
the failure of that colony ten years later. Turnbull had even started his
"palace" on yet another shell mound but only got as far as the
"coquina" block foundation. "Coquina", composed of
millions of fused together tiny shells was the Florida coastal building
material of choice in those days. You can still see the foundation at the
corner of Julia and North Riverside Drive today. The Spanish regained
control by swapping the Bahamas for Florida in 1783 and then sold it to
the new United States in 1819. Depredations of the wars of 1812 and
Seminole in 1835 destroyed whatever was developed. An "elegant"
hotel built on the original Turnbull foundation was shelled to oblivion by
Union sailors. After the Civil War the hotelier Sheldon rebuilt his hotel
which served as the local "shopping center" until 1896.
Throughout the 1800's military necessity caused the building of several
roads; one from St. Augustine to the New Smyrna stone wharf and later two
from Forth Mellon on Lake Monroe. With the Civil War behind them railroad
and steamboat transportation spurred development. As early as 1835 settler Kemble, Depeyster and Cruger from New York built a sugar mill to process the cane of nearby plantations. The mill ruins are preserved for viewing today just off Route 44 and Old Mission Road. In March of 1887 the Blue Spring, Orange City and Atlantic Railroad reached New Smyrna and steady growth began in 1892. A wooden bridge connected the peninsula with the mainland and it became a regular vacation spot for Orlando, Deland and Enterprise families. Between 1900 and 1920 the town grew 400% with 4 churches and many businesses. It was incorporated as a city in 1903. The 20's were rough on the local orange groves and after the stock market crash of 1929 almost 1/4 of all Floridians were on relief. The war years with limited travel gave way to unprecedented development both in small beachside developments and high rise towers. New Smyrna's more quiet family approach was an alternative to Daytona's glitter and crowds. Turtle Mound and the southern end of A1A became part of the Canaveral National Seashore Park and New Smyrna's downtown underwent tasteful renewal. A soaring south causeway bridge and a higher north causeway "draw" all but eliminated the beach traffic bottlenecks. Tight control of beach traffic and protection of nesting sea turtles helps maintain the naturalness of the beautiful beach. Along A1A, Route 44 West and U.S.1, shopping centers serve about every commercial need and New Smyrna's many festivals, galleries and theater serve the spirit. Atlantic Center for the Arts, located just north of the municipal airport, is a resident community for all discipline with meeting and gallery space and in a pristine setting. Bert Fish Medical Center, recently expanded, is surrounded by medical offices and clinics of every description. Marinas along the north causeway and downtown, park and boat ramp access to the river and scores of fine dining spots make New Smyrna a prime destination. |
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another TIDBIT of history
New Smyrna Beach is one of the oldest settlements in the United States. Originally home to ancient Indian tribes, many artifacts remain today. Created by Timucuan Native Americans, Turtle Mound is a 50-foot high kitchen midden containing 33,000-cubic yards of oyster shells. Visible seven miles out at sea, early sailors used Turtle Mound as a navigational device. Ponce de Leon Inlet was named after the Spanish explorer, commemorating his arrival in New Smyrna Beach in 1513. Dr. Andrew Turnbull, a Scottish physician, established the first colony in this area in 1767. He named it after his wife's birthplace of Smyrna, Turkey. In 1777, the settlers abandoned New Smyrna Beach and headed north to St. Augustine. In the early 1800s land grants revived interest in the New Smyrna Beach area, however those settlers had to live under constant threats of Native American uprisings. The Seminole Indians eventually burned and destroyed the settler's homes and sugar mill. Sugar Mill Ruins serve as a reminder of that historical era. During the War Between the States, federal gunboats shelled New Smyrna Beach, and the hotel built on the Old Fort was destroyed. In the late 1800s, New Smyrna was incorporated, and a bridge was constructed over the Indian River. New Smyrna Beach is a modern city with a
great heritage. Historical sites have been incorporated into the city's
composition. Canals constructed in Turnbull's day are still in use today.
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