Daytona, Daytona Beach - Now & Then Fades, Moments Captured and History
All images on this tour will Open in New Window,
ready for a Now & Then Overlay Fade of where we are today, in FloridaPresent
-please note, some of these images are slated to become fades-

Some of our fades were inspired by others that shared images of FloridaPast
To those Folks, We Sincerely Thank You!

FloridaPast on Facebook

One of our Best Now & Then Fitting-Fades for Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach circa 1905 - The Clarendon Hotel - Seabreeze Florida - Fitting-Fade

Daytona Beach at Seabreeze 1904, as we look off of the pier.

The Clarendon Hotel Seabreeze as seen from the beach at Daytona, 1908
Photo borrowed from the Sanford Postcard Collection
Inspired by a share from Jeff Davies Historic Florida X Facebook

Let's go to the beach, and give a now & then faded view of what was right before her demise

Since history has been well documented, we borrowed some to share -
"On February 14, 1909, The Hotel Clarendon at Sea Breeze, Daytona, Florida, one of the largest hotels on the East Coast, together with ten cottages adjoining the house was totally destroyed by fire at 5:30 o'clock this morning. There were 215 guests, who, at the time, were asleep. They all were saved without injury and many being able to gather up most of their belongings.
When the blaze was discovered the night clerk rushed the help to each room notifying guests who made their way hurriedly to the streets. At one time the blaze appeared to be under control but the wind shifted and it broke out anew and in less than three quarters of an hour the entire building was burned.
The ten collages owned by H. R. Kochersperger caught from sparks and all were burning at the same time. The hotel was a wooden structure valued at $200,000 and was insured for about 40 per cent.

Fire had started under the kitchen.
It was discovered by the bakers who were just going to work. Originating in the coal bins under the kitchen and at first it seemed that the fire extinguishers would do the work but there was some difficulty in getting the water faucets to working and seeing that the fire was beyond control the guests were notified to run for their lives.
A dozen extra policemen were called out, and they did excellent work. The roof of the Cherokee home of Mr. Kochersperger, caught fire from sparks, but for the heroic efforts of Mr. Gilson, a guest of the Seaside Inn, and others who climbed to the roof, it would have been destroyed.
The Clarendon was just beginning the season, which promised to be its most prosperous. Every room in the big hotel was engaged."
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The prominent guests at the hotel at the time of the fire, were:
"MR. and MRS. F. G. SMITH. - MR. and MRS. G. L. SMITH. - MISS MORA SMITH and maid. - MRS. CHARLES ROW of Detroit.
MRS. J. A. LEMCKE and MISS LEMCKE, and FRED HILY, Cincinnati, Ohio. - MRS. J. W. HOWARD, Detroit. - MR. and MRS. SUYDEN and child, Cincinnati.
A. W. STRONG, Chicago. - MRS. KATE KNOX and MRS. SARAH C. WELLS, Chicago. - MRS. ELIZABETH C. SQUIRES and C. H. GOSBY, Terre Haute, Ind.
MR. and MRS. GEORGE A. CHRISTIAN and maid, Minneapolis. - MRS. PAUL E. DAVIS and son, Detroit.
MRS. MARY B. BROWNELL, Detroit. - MR. and MRS. J. C. GREGORY, Newark, N. J.
MISS LAUTERBACK, New York City. - MR. and MRS. A. H. HARTMAN, New York City. - MR. and MRS. Z. D. BERRY, New York City.
MISS MARY KERNO, Syracuse, N. Y. -MR. and MRS. GEORGE SELDON, Erie, Pa. - MRS. J. B. and A. J. COOK, Bellfont, Pa. - W. O. SAXTON, New York"

[source from; The Atlanta Constitution, Georgia, Feb. 2, 1909]

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Visit Gene Johnson's Bicycle Shop where it still stands today

FloridaMemoryProject Photo - 1915

For the promotion of Bicycle Sales, Dr. DuBois' son, Happily drives Gene Johnson's Penny Farthing Advertising Bicycle. Photograph taken at North Beach Street Store in 1915.
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September 1908, Gene Johnson rented a two story frame building on the causeway, which then ran from the west approach of the Main St. Bridge to the west approach of the Seabreeze Bridge. His store extended from the causeway over a canal dug west of the causeway and it was in that canal that fish were caught. 
About 2 years before Gene opened his store, he had the dream. To make it happen, Gene stood below the Main St. Bridge, collecting dimes and quarters.
In 1911, he borrowed $1,275.00 from the Merchants Bank, and bought the store on 446 North Beach Street. (current Faded Location)
Not long after he took the original loan, he borrowed another $1,000.00 and added a twenty by seventy foot long building, extending all the way to Fairview Ave.

Starting with selling bicycles, Gene soon involved himself with the fishing industry. Adding bait, tackle and related, as a side-line to his bicycle business.
It wasn't long after, that the bait business took off. And soon, during the 1920s era, Gene stopped selling bicycles altogether. And prospered at his Fishing, Bait and Tackle Business.
Visit this link to see Gene himself, Smiling for the camera, with a Great Story of his beginning.  

Tarpon caught in the Halifax River
displayed at Gene Johnsons Tackle Shop
Daytona Beach FloridaPast, sometime in the 1920s
{photograph borrowed from FloridaMemoryProject}

Click on Photo to see a Now & Then Fade

Various Roadside Hotels and Motels of Daytona Beach, FloridaPast
if it's a Now & Then Fade, I'll let you know under the view.
Others will be faded as time allows.

The New Lincoln Motel
here on 1503 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach FloridaPast, sometime during the 1950s.
Owned by Mrs. Reinhold Grahn.
Offering private swimming pool, air conditioning, TV and Telephones in the rooms.
​Almost a perfect Fitting-Fade-Over Then & Now

Wonderful Architecture that Still Stands Today

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Sea Dip Motel seen from Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach FloridaPast

Standing by the Seashore we See the Sea Dip during the 1960s era, Daytona

RELAX HERE, ENJOY HERE, STAY HERE, At The Sea Gate Motel, Daytona Beach, FloridaPast

Casa Loma Motel, Daytona Beach, FloridaPast - Somewhere in the 1950s

SURFVIEW MOTEL - Daytona Beach, FloridaPast

Daytona Views from or on the Beach
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Let's hop aboard the Sightseeing Train

ready to go? Click the train....

An original Pier Billboard that you would have seen in 1970

We can't hit the beach without the Coppertone....

The once popular and famed Sky Ride over the Main Street Pier
Daytona Beach - FloridaPast
Click for a Great Fitting-Fade - Now & Then

Fun in the Sun Over Daytona Beach Early 1960s era

Miles and Miles of Fun, Sun and Smiles - Click n Go

Surf's Up Dudes! Let's Boogie on out..

Fun in the Sun Sea and Sand at Daytona Beach

Neptune Drive In Theatre Christian Church Daytona Beach FloridaPast

On the Pier, viewing all the fun at the Amusement Park on the Boardwalk

Neptune Drive In Theatre during the 1950s era. Surprisingly, the drive-in theater is no longer, but the Church is bigger and better than ever. Also note at the time of this fade, the Drive-In snack bar building still stands. That was the focal point for this fade.

Contestants for Annual Jaycees 4th of July Dixie Frolics ocean pier casino

A Fun in the Sun Day at Daytona Beach

The above image was shared by Jeff Davies of Historic Florida X on Facebook. Image borrowed from Cardboard America. Thanks again Jeff!
Follow the thread share by Clicking Here.

Night View off of the Pier looking at Boardwalk Amusement Park

Daytona Beach Archway Boardwalk Night Scene Over 100 years ago

JOHNSTON'S COFFEE SHOP - PALMETTO AND MAGNOLIA - Daytona Beach, FloridaPast

A SECTION OF BEACH STREET, DAYTONA BEACH, somewhere FloridaPast

Scenes of Ormond Beach

Ranson E. Olds in the Olds Pirate racing car
Ormond Beach - 1897

"Visitors at Ormond hotel discussed the idea of an auto race on the beach. Alexander Winton had already built and driven a race car called the Bullet while Ranson E. Olds was manufacturing small two seaters and had sold a sightseeing bus in Ormond. Winton agreed to bring his car down and Olds said that he would build a suitable challenger. The two cars met and had identical speeds of 57 mph. It was fine sport and neither claimed victory." <- credit history/text to George Smathers Library
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A little more borrowed history to share -
"Olds was also famous for his auto racing on the beaches of Florida at Ormond and Daytona. He had the first timed run on the beach in a solo run some time between 1894 and 1897. In 1896 or 1897, rich automobile pioneers Olds and Alexander Winton (Winton Motor Carriage Company) staged an unofficial event; Winton beat Olds by only 0.20 seconds."

"Ransom Eli Olds (June 3, 1864 – August 26, 1950) was a pioneer of the American automotive industry, for whom both the Oldsmobile and REO brands were named. He claimed to have built his first steam car as early as 1894, and his first gasoline–powered car in 1896. The modern assembly line and its basic concept is credited to Olds, who used it to build the first mass-produced automobile, the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, beginning in 1901"
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"He founded the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in Lansing, Michigan, on August 21, 1897. The company was bought by a copper and lumber magnate named Samuel L. Smith in 1899 and renamed Olds Motor Works. The new company was relocated from Lansing to Detroit. Smith became President while Olds became vice president and general manager.
By 1901 Olds had built 11 prototype vehicles, including at least one of each power mode: steam, electricity, and gas; the only American automotive pioneer to produce and sell at least one of each mode of automobile.
On March 9, 1901 the Olds Motor Works factory burned to the ground. Only one model, the little Curved Dash runabout, was saved from the flames. Ransom Olds claimed it was the fire that made him select the runabout, from among his many other models, to put into production. His biographer questions the veracity of this story. He points to an Olds advertising blitz that had already led to more than 300 Curved Dash orders even before the fire took place. "Olds did not need the one rescued car from which to reconstruct the plans and patterns for the runabout."
 Please credit and read more here -> CLICK IT <-

the race is on - give a click to visit Ormond Beach Now & Then