New Smyrna Beach is the third-oldest city in Florida behind only St. Augustine and Pensacola. Originally settled by Dr. Andrew Turnbull in 1768, the city accumulated significant, intriguing and stunning monuments to its past. An unusual-looking memorial to world war heroes-a cross, battle helmet and eagle-sits at Riverside Park. One of the oddest sites is a single-stone cemetery with a vault dedicated to the memory of Charles Dummett. Because of the insects that inhabit Ponce Inlet, a well-known landmark was originally named Mosquito Inlet Lighthouse. Local author and historian Robert Redd guides readers through the iconic historical landmarks of "Florida's Secret Pearl." Book jacket.

New Smyrna Beach is the third-oldest city in Florida behind only St. Augustine and Pensacola. Originally settled by Dr. Andrew Turnbull in 1768, the city accumulated significant, intriguing and stunning monuments to its past. An unusual-looking memorial to world war heroes--a cross, battle helmet and eagle--sits at Riverside Park. One of the oddest sites is a single-stone cemetery with a vault dedicated to the memory of Charles Dummett. Because of the insects that inhabit Ponce Inlet, a well-known landmark was originally named Mosquito Inlet Lighthouse. Local author and historian Robert Redd guides readers through the iconic historical landmarks of "Florida's Secret Pearl."

In 1768, Scottish physician Andrew Turnbull arrived in Florida with more than 1,200 indentured servants. He and his partners dreamed of establishing a plantation settlement that would make them wealthy. Despite some successes, New Smyrna was not the financial windfall they had hoped for, and after only nine years, the settlement failed. Disgruntled workers appealed to East Florida governor Patrick Tonyn, who granted them their freedom. Many of the now free settlers took residence in St. Augustine. In the succeeding years, New Smyrna has seen Civil War skirmishes, the addition of "Beach" to its name, a merger with Coronado Beach, the rise and fall of the rail industry, and a marked increase in local and out-of-state tourism. The "World's Safest Bathing Beach" is no longer a local secret.

Thousands of fascinating facts and figures on all aspects of life in the Sunshine State. This book, a combination atlas, directory, tourist guide, and reference manual, covers everything you want to know about the state of Florida. The current edition has updated statistics on all of the topics found in past annuals, a hurricane survival guide, and everything from basic history to residential requirements to live in the state of Florida. A very good resource for Florida natives as well as those planning to visit the state.

Ponce de Leon is reputed to have entered the inlet now named for him at New Smyrna Beach during his first Florida exploration in 1513. Jonathan Dickenson crossed the inlet to safety with the Spanish in 1696, and Dr. Andrew Turnbull created his short-lived New Smyrna settlement in 1768. Later pirates and plunderers entered through the inlet and wreaked havoc, and American Indian chief Wildcat terrorized the area. Federal navy cannonading destroyed the community in 1863, and the freezes of 1895 and 1896 decimated the orange groves. The people of New Smyrna persevered through it all to make New Smyrna the charming community it is today. This book offers a wide view of this history, mostly through images from the family archives of Zelia Mary Wilson Sweett.