The Daytona Beach area was initially inhabited by Timucuan Indians who were village dwellers and lived in enclosed wooden compounds. They were a muscular group of people usually exceeding six feet in height. The society was largely dependent on agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood until the advent of foreign powers. During the colonization era, Spain had established its influence over Florida. The early 1500s witnessed a range of diseases, war and forced labor marring the local population which eventually came under Spain’s suzerainty. In the beginning of the 1800s, a lot of Europeans settled in the Daytona Beach area. The US got a hold of the area in 1821, after defeating the Spanish rulers. The Seminole Wars were a cause of great unrest until the late 1800s. Once the Civil War ended, the state of Florida was abuzz with a lot of tourist influx in the region. Daytona Beach was seen by many as an ideal holiday spot. The rich and famous from North America realized the potential of the place and started investing in its development. Matthias Day, a business tycoon is credited with the founding and development of the Daytona area. He built the first hotel, ‘The Palmetto House’ in Daytona along with a lot of commercial complexes.

     Henry Flagler purchased the St. John and Halifax River Railway in Daytona and incorporated it in his Florida East Coast Railway in the year 1889. The scenic environs of the place with good accessibility through rail and road, served as a great appeasement for the town’s new inhabitants. The famous American, John. D Rockefeller had his winter home ‘Casements’ built in the pristine surroundings of Daytona. It is a popular attraction in Daytona Beach, even today. In 1926, the three towns of Daytona, Seabreeze and Daytona Beach were merged to form ‘Daytona Beach city’ leading to the centralization of the administration of this city. This process ensured rapid flow of funds to the area and faster development.

     The beaches here have a peculiar compact and hardened sand which holds together for a long duration. Hence automobiles can be driven with ease at certain places near the shore. This aspect developed into a permanent association of Daytona Beach with automobile and motorcycle racing. Beach racing was a regular feature of the local attractions and in 1959, Daytona Speedway, a world-class racetrack was built here by Bill France. The first Daytona 500, the most famous NASCAR race was held for the first time on this track. This place has its own special contribution in the civil rights movement of America. Jackie Robinson the famous baseball player, Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune, a big civil rights figure, basketball player Vince Carter and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Ryan Lochte are some of the prominent names from Daytona Beach who have brought glory and acclaim to the land.

     It has also inspired a number of authors and film makers with it’s breathtaking views and natural beauty. The place has a distinctive charm in its friendly people, natural attributes, beach hotels and automobile racing, making it a must visit destination for people with varied interests. Daytona Beach is a tribute to the human spirit and a place where human ingenuity meets nature in all its glory.

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