Local landmarks and attractions honor meaningful figures and moments in this destination’s diverse history
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA–AUGUST 2024–As the home of a 23-mile stretch of Atlantic shoreline known by many as the world’s most famous beach, Daytona Beach is familiar to many who love its beautiful waters and classic boardwalk (12 South Ocean Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-253-0254) and pier (1200 Main Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114). There is far more to discover beyond the beach here, too. Those looking for variety, and particularly those who enjoy delving into a destination’s history and culture, will find a plethora of options, including landmarks and attractions that chronical important moments in African American history.
Daytona Beach is between St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center and just an hour east of Orlando, with easy access via Interstates 95 and 4, which intersect here. The Daytona Beach International Airport (700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-248-8030), is convenient for air travelers and offers non-stop flights from select cities.
For those who want to enjoy a variety of beyond-the-beach activities, there are many avenues to explore, including some that may be unexpected. Many visitors are surprised to learn that there is much to discover about African American history here. The Daytona Beach Black Heritage Trail introduces many aspects of Daytona Beach’s black heritage at 18 locations. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Daytona Beach
The Mary McLeod Bethune Home & Gravesite (640 Dr Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-481-2121) is a National Historic Landmark and is the former home of civil rights leader, educator and founder of Bethune-Cookman University (386-481-2000), Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Born to former slaves a decade after the Civil War, Bethune devoted her life to ensuring quality education and freedom from discrimination for African Americans. The home, located on the grounds of the university, is filled with furnishings, artifacts and photos of famous visitors during her life and tenure. Guided tours are available. Many of her papers and writings are housed in the university archives on the second floor of the Carl S. Swisher Library. (As of this writing, the home is closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in early 2025.) Bethune is also honored with statues both on campus and at Daytona Beach’s Riverfront Esplanade (Corner of Beach Street and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114).
The Historic Howard Thurman Home (614 Whitehall Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-258-7514) aims to preserve Thurman’s legacy and to serve as a place for the public to learn about the intellectual roots of the U.S. civil rights movement. This is the childhood home of the native son of Daytona Beach, who became a noted 20th century theologian and one of the most influential early voices shaping the nonviolent philosophy of the Modern Civil Rights Movement in America. It is said that his most famous book, “Jesus and the Disinherited” (1949), profoundly influenced a young Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other young activist and leaders in the Civil Rights movement. The home is open for tours on Friday and Saturday afternoons and other times by appointment.
Mount Bethel Baptist Institutional Church (700 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-255-6922) was first formed when, in 1885, a group of Christians, under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Brook Hankerson, recognized the need for African Americans to have a place to worship in the community. On June 22, Mount Bethel was constructed on the corner of Fremont Avenue and Church Street (now Marion Street). The current Mount Bethel was erected in 1921.
The Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Statue (105 East Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-257-3172) is now home to the minor league Daytona Tortugas, but it was here that Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in 1946. The park features a statue of Robinson, historical markers and a museum. Nearby, another marker notes the former location of Kelly Field (981 George W. Ingram Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114), where Jackie Robinson and fellow Negro League veteran Johnny Wright practiced with the Montreal Royals during spring training in 1946.
Around the county
African American Museum of the Arts (325 South Clara Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32720; 386-736-4004) features African art from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Kenya in its permanent gallery and also has six rotating visual arts exhibits and amphitheater events throughout the year. Founded in 1994, it is the only museum in the area devoted primarily to African American cultures and art. Its collection includes more than 150 artifacts, including sculptures and masks from countries of Africa.
Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum (314 North Duss Street, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168; 386-428-6225) houses a collection of photographs, memorabilia and artifacts that tell stories of the hardships and triumphs of this African American community and of the history of race relations in small-town Florida over the course of the 20th century.
Freemanville Historic Site (3431 Ridgewood Avenue, Port Orange, Florida 32119; 386-756-5201) is the location of the county’s first African American community, settled by freed slaves in 1867. This largely unknown community was recognized with a state historic marker 2003. The last remaining Freemanville building, the community’s church, still remains. On the second Tuesday in February each year, the City of Port Orange celebrates Freemanville Day with historic reenactments.
Noteworthy
The talents and accomplishments of local African Americans are celebrated are on display at many other spots throughout Daytona Beach and Volusia County, including:
Bethel AME Church (210 East Howry Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32724) was finished in 1907 and designed by John A. Lankford, the nation’s first practicing African-American architect.
Daisy Stocking Park (555 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114) was dedicated in 1971 to an accomplished nurse and humanitarian who came to Daytona Beach in 1916 at the urging of a fellow South Carolinian, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.
Samuel L. Butts Archeological Park (750 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-671-8000) is named for the local man who collected prehistoric bones at the site for 20 years. He found spear joints, bone tools and pottery fragments left by Native Americans more than 5,000 years ago.
Beyond its wealth of sites spotlighting African American history, Daytona Beach’s neighborhoods and downtown districts offer things to do for a surprising array of interests. From museums and galleries to satisfy discerning art lovers to an impressive mix of shopping venues to, of course, places for race fans to enjoy. Beyond the excitement of the Daytona International Speedway (1801 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 800-748-7467) and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1801 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-681-6842), there are others that offer insights into racing’s history here, including a self-guided walk through Birthplace of Speed Park (12 Ocean Shore Boulevard, Ormond Beach, Florida 32176; 386-676-3216) in Ormond Beach and the beach racing display at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum (4931 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127; 386-761-1821) for a historical perspective. The stories of the innovators of beach racing and the drive that propelled the sport to the phenomenon it is today are well documented throughout this destination that is filled with ways to explore and learn more about racing.
Where to stay
The lodging options in Daytona include a variety few other destinations can match. There are classic beachfront spots that have long been a part of this destination’s personality. These include the Art Deco boutique, The Streamline Hotel (140 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-947-7470), said to be the birthplace of NASCAR. Tropical Manor on the Ocean (2237 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida 32118; 386- 252-4920) is a collection of tropically themed cottages dubbed an “oceanfront oasis” and Perry’s Ocean Edge Resort (2209 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-255-0581), which began in 1940s, offers retro style and modern amenities.
Newer favorites include the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach (918 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-947-7300) featuring 200 guest rooms and four-star service, The Daytona, Autograph Collection at ONE DAYTONA (1870 Victory Circle, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-323-9777), where 144 custom luxury guest rooms feature balconies with views of Victory Circle at ONE DAYTONA and Daytona International Speedway and the Max Beach Resort (1901 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-999-2555), which offers spacious vacation rentals.
Joining lodging options in fall 2024 will be the Renaissance by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront (640 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-271-2050). This modern property will feature a state-of-the art design, accommodations with private balconies, a high-end seafood restaurant and oceanfront ballroom with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean.