Ormond Beach
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Ormond Beach

Located on Central Florida's Atlantic Coast about 10 miles north of Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach claims the moniker "Birthplace of Speed" because this is where the first beach speed trials were conducted in 1902. Racing on Ormond's smooth, hard sand proved a big attraction to early drivers, with a speed record of 122.44 mph being set by a steam-powered car on Jan. 27, 1906.

The town, which borders both the Halifax and Tomoka rivers as well as the Atlantic Ocean, also was famous in its formative years for the Hotel Ormond, which opened New Year's Day 1888, and as the winter home of John D. Rockefeller, who purchased "The Casements" along the Halifax River in 1914. The home is now owned by the city of Ormond Beach and used as a cultural and community center.

Ormond Beach has a population of more than 37,617 (2003 census estimate) and a full range of city services. On the beachside, there also is a large unincorporated area known as Ormond-by-the-Sea, which stretches northward from the Ormond Beach city limits almost to Flagler County. Ormond-by-the-Sea residents get water service from Ormond Beach, but most homes are on septic systems, and garbage/trash pickup, fire services and policing are provided by Volusia County. Driving is currently permitted on the beach south of Granada Avenue but prohibited from Granada Avenue north, including Ormond-by-the-Sea. For more information about area government, cultural activities or business, click on one of our links below.