New Smyrna Beach is bursting with history, culture and loads of amenities. It boasts a warm, friendly atmosphere, vibrant blue skies and magnificent coastlines glistening with crystal clear waters. Culture-rich New Smyrna Beach is home to art festivals, theatrical performances and live entertainment performed by talented local musicians. There are exceptional restaurants, breathtaking sunsets and, of course, since it is a beach town, a wide array of beach activities; including searching for shells, fishing for that catch of a lifetime, boating with friends and family, jet skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking and so much more.
It all began 10,000 years before the arrival of Europeans, when nomadic Native Americans roamed the area and later established villages. The first European visitation was during the Spanish Colonial period from 1565-1763, when missionaries were sent to convert the Indians to Catholicism. The British acquired Eastern Florida in 1764.
New Smyrna Beach was the site of the largest attempt at a colonial settlement in the United States. Scottish physician and entrepreneur Dr. Andrew Turnbull obtained a land grant from the British Crown, and established a colony of 1225 with coastal plantations yielding corn, indigo, hemp and cotton in 1768. Plagued by disease, Turnbull’s colonists fled to St. Augustine in 1777. The Spanish reclaimed Florida in 1784, but had difficulty controlling the area, and the United States established the territory of Florida in 1821.
In years to follow, plantations began to once again emerge, but they were destroyed during the Seminole War, which ended in 1842. Resettlement began after the Civil War, and with a population of 150, New Smyrna was born. Henry Flagler’s Railway spurred the economy, which was largely based on tourism, citrus and commercial fishing. During Prohibition, the city was a popular site for moonshine stills and hideouts for rum-runners who came from the Bahamas by way of Ponce de Leon Inlet. Later, The Great Depression devastated the entire area. Recovery began after WWII. New Smyrna Beach was incorporated in 1947. Through the years, New Smyrna Beach became a bustling hub of activity and is now a charming beachside town with over 20,000 permanent residents.
New Smyrna Beach Florida is well known for being the charming, historic, culture-packed “Gem” of the Volusia County Area, it is growing by leaps and bounds with fantastic new amenities, and is rated as “one of the best small cities in Florida”. Venetian Bay Town & Country Club is the true “Jewel” of the area, and will continue to expand bringing several thousand new residents to the community. If you would like more information about Venetian Bay Town & Country Club homes for sale and rent, continue to browse the Venetian Bay Homeowners award-winning website for news and so much more! Please visit the website at: www.venetianbayhomeowners.com
