Ormond Beach Florida is one of Florida’s best kept secrets.
Many people recognize places like St. Augustine, Tallahassee, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Miami or even Daytona. But mention other towns like Flagler, Palm Coast, Ponce Inlet or Ormond Beach and people will look at you puzzled.
Let me tell you about this well-kept secret!
Ormond Beach Florida is a quaint city located just North of Daytona Beach. It’s actually very popular with the Biker community because of its close proximity to Daytona. It’s home to Destination Daytona also. Outside of Bike week and BiketoberFest, the town is very quiet and laid back. Many of the residents have lived here for an extended amount of time and it is a second home-place for many Snow Birds.
Ormond Beach has had its share of celebrities as well. The city spreads from the main land across the Halifax River as far as Deltona and Deland, then over to the seaside in central Florida. Seaside Ormond Beach is where John D. Rockefeller chose his winter residence. He loved the area so much he purchased The Casements, a home built in 1913. This was no doubt one of his favorite places as he entertained friends such as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and many others. Rockefeller gardens at the bay are beautiful yet modest considering the man they represent.
You see, Ormond Beach Florida was a proud Resort Town and remains so with a deep and rich history reaching back several centuries. The area was populated by Native Americans, developed by sugar cane farmers, ship builders, hotel operators and railroad tycoons. But from then till now, how did we get here?
Ponce de Leon and his crew discovered this area in 1513 although Spain and England bargained and traded with the land back and forth for some time before the United States took over. Florida was an organized territory in 1822 and a state in 1845.
John Andrew Bostrom was and still is considered Ormond Beach’s first settler. In 1869, he noticed there were a lot of visitors in the area yet they had nowhere to stay. He, his brother and 2 sisters opened their home to tourist. Sometime in the 1880’s, word of their hospitality had travelled. Before they knew it, they had created a hospitality business. Talk about pioneers in the industry!
Building on the “Resort” mentality, the Corbin Lock Company in New Britain, Conn., purchased land on the west side of the Halifax River. They purposed it to be used for employee retirement and vacation homes. A rush of settlers arrived to Ormond Beach from the Midwest soon after. In 1880, when the town was incorporated, the name was Ormond in honor of James Ormond II, whose 18th century plantation was north of town. “Beach” was added to the name in 1950. So there you have it. Ormond Beach was and still is a Resort town.
In 1887, John Anderson and Joseph Price built a bridge to cross the Halifax River. They built the grand and luxurious Hotel Ormond next in 1888. In 1890, Henry Flagler (the railroad magnet) bought the hotel and expanded it. The Ormond Hotel hosted a special guest. What made this guest special was his idea. J.F. Hathaway, suggested an automobile race on the tightly packed beaches of Ormond Beach. Known as the “Birthplace of Speed,” Ormond Beach Florida was the place of the first timed automobile race in 1903. Some of the early racer were noted as: Ransom E. Olds, Alexander Winton, William K. Vanderbilt II, Barney Oldfield, Henry Ford, Louis Chevrolet, Glenn Curtiss, and Sir Malcolm Campbell. These exciting races ended with the completion of the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach in 1959.
What does Ormond Beach look like now? Here’s a before & after photo.
The lovely beaches are peaceful and quiet.
If you are seeking the loud and rowdy atmosphere, you could always head south to Daytona. Daytona Beach has always been popular with the more party minded crowd and that city hosts many large events throughout the year.
Why is Ormond Beach a Best kept secret?
The pace of life for the Birth Place of Speed is actually much slower than other beach towns. Speed limits are low and the conversations are light. This is the place to come for relaxation and quiet time. Families enjoy time in Ormond Beach as they walk to the Ocean and enjoy the soft yet firmly packed sand. People with disabilities like to come enjoy the beaches because Volusia County allows driving on public beaches making accessibility a plus. There are lifeguards stationed at most public beach access points too. Parents and paranoid swimmers alike appreciate this. Inland, Ormond Beach offers great shopping and dining opportunities. The best part is that the cost of living in Ormond Beach is not high. It has a great walking score as well as public transit if you prefer. Overall, it has been one of the most enjoyable places we have vacationed and lived.
Have you been to Ormond Beach Florida? Leave me comments below and let me know.
To be honest, it;s the first time I learn about Ormond Beach being such a gem. I like to learn about hidden beautiful places to visit, especially about lovely and lonely beaches.
I had not heard of this beach before … but it looks so calm and peaceful. Would definitely keep it in mind for the next trip to Florida.
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This looks like a great spot for a family adventure. I love white beaches, though I’ve rarely visited any. I hope to travel with our young family in the future!
This looks like a great spot for a family adventure. I love white beaches, though I’ve rarely visited any. I hope to travel with our young family in the future!
We are trying to find our favorite nearby beach and Ormond is for sure at the top of that list. It really is a best kept secret. I feel like no one ever mentions or suggest this beach. I absolutely love it though.
Been so excited about taking the family to Florida because I absolutely love the beaches. And Ormond Beach is no exception. What a gorgeous hidden gem.
I’ve actually been to Daytona for Bike Week and it was insane. I think I’d prefer something more quiet like Ormond Beach. It looks like the perfect beach location to just sit back and relax.
Wow – what a fascinating history for a small beach town. I love learning about these kinds of things before I travel to a place.
Outstanding article! I am a huge history lover and had never heard about this so I loved it. Weird that I never heard of this beach, but I would much rather take the less busy and historically cool one over the others!
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsThis is such a great place to visit. I will definitely put this on my bookmark as our future references to our next travel visit.
This place is so beautiful perfect for a staycation and for a family bonding. I have heard nothing but good things in this place. Will definitely check this out.
I have never been to Ormond beach but it’s really great to know that place is a hidden gem and perfect getaway!
I have heard of Ormond Beach, but have never been there. This was so fascinating to learn about the history. Thank you for sharing this!
Sure thing Kelly!
I need to visit next time we plan a vacation to Florida! This sounds like a great destination!
Definately 😉
This place looks like the perfect quite getaway vacation. The beach is beautiful.
How cool! I’ve never heard of this part of Florida before.
how would you say it compares to Amelia island?
I couldn’t tell you. I’ve never been to Amelia Island. Have you?
I had never heard of Ormond Beach, but it looks lovely.
It’s heavenly 💗
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsThis looks so nice. I like beaches but only when they aren’t crowded. I would much rather have a quiet and peaceful beach trip.
Me too!
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsNever heard of this beach you made me more intrigued by the fact that you provided backstory not like must beach blogs do where they just highlight the sun and the waves.
Thanks 😉
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jshttps://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsHey Chrissy, interesting to learn about England and Spain’s trade and the beach itself I hope to go there get me day looks and sounds lovely ! Morgan xx
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Oh this sounds so lovely! I love quiet spots and beaches that a peaceful and not full of people! Definitely adding this to my list!
Groovy! 🙂
Another place to put on my Florida bucket list! I just moved to Melbourne last year so I’m making my way around 🙂
Awesome. Be sure to check out Cape Canaveral, Flagler, Port Orange on the Bay Side, and New Smyrna!
Those pictures make me want to have a beach house. Ormond looks like a secret that is best left undiscovered for the lucky people who live there.
Perhaps 😉
This is our kind of place, quiet and quaint. Wow, the first timed automobile race in 1903, that’s so interesting, would have been quite something to be there and see some of those famous people racing. I wonder what speed the cars went back then, did you happen to read anything about that Lori?
I couldn’t find anything on the speed. I looked though 😉
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsI have never fully explored Florida. We always go to where the theme parks are for the kids and then that’s it. I hope we can go here the next time, I bet it would so nice!
Definitely! This is one of the safer kid beaches too because there aren’t as many people there and a life guard station with 6-10 life guards present at all times the beach is open.
I’ve never been here before! It’s amazing! We always go to Florida for the summer and I would love to go and check this out!
Really? What part do you usually visit?
I haven’t heard of Ormond beach before but it looks like the perfect vacation spot! We visited Orlando and Miami when we were last in Florida but I’d love the see more of the great state
Ormond Beach is only about a 45 minute drive east of Orlando. 😁
I will definitely add this to my list the next time I am in Florida. I think I am going there next month for a work trip!
I’ve never heard of Ormond Beach but would love to check it out! I love vacationing at the beach and especially ones that are off the beaten path and less touristy. This sounds like a great destination.
Lori, if you really want a peaceful experience, it’s so worth it!