Daytona Beach was founded in 1870. The area was once inhabited by Timucuan Indians. In 1886 the railroad arrived here. Daytona Beach is in Volusia County, and is the principal city in the “Fun Coast” region of the Florida. In the 1920′s, Daytona Beach called itself “The World’s Most Famous Beach”. The city is historically known as having hard packed sand that has allowed cars for decades to drive up and down the beach. In 1902, car and motorcycles began racing on the beach. The first stock car race was held on the beach in 1936.
The Kress Building is another interesting place to see (above photo). Located at 140 south beach street, it was built in 1932 for the S.H. Kress Company. This is a beautiful art deco building. Kress operated “five and dime” stores in the U.S. from 1896-1981, and was a very popular retail chain even before Walmart was thought of.
This is also the home of NASCAR Headquarters. There are many annual auto racing events here with the most famous being the Daytona 500. Bike Week started here back in 1937, and has been a yearly event ever since. Also there is Biketoberfest, another yearly event. Hawaiian Tropic headquarters are just next door south in Ormond Beach. Daytona Beach is full of history and sites that you will definitely enjoy.
Love the History