New Smyrna Beach is located at 29°1′50″N, 80°55′31″W (29.030563, -80.925307). The city's motto is "cygnus inter anates", which is Latin for "among ducks, a swan". According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 79.7 km˛ (30.8 mi˛). 71.7 km˛ (27.7 mi˛) of it is land and 8.0 km˛ (3.1 mi˛) of it (10.04%) is water. The city is located at sea level, with higher spots to 20 ft. above sea level away from the beaches. New Smyrna Beach is unique from other beach front towns in east-central Florida because it is completely isolated on its beach side, and borders no other towns or cities on the island. This has allowed the city of New Smyrna Beach to develop in a unique manner especially over the past few years, with its "main drag" areas of Flagler Avenue and E. Canal Street becoming quickly transformed into upscale shopping districts. Its distinguished location only 45 miles from Orlando, 110 miles from Jacksonville, 245 miles from Miami, and close proximity to Disney World and The Daytona International Speedway has caused New Smyrna Beach to become a popular second home destination, especially from Orlando metro area bedroom communities such as Heathrow, Windermere, Altamonte Springs, Orlando, and Winter Park. Hundreds of wealthy Winter Park families now claim second residency in New Smyrna Beach, causing New Smyrna Beach to experience a real estate boom that has resulted in property values skyrocketing within the last five years. The average home on Beachside New Smyrna Beach has risen from just above $100,000 six years ago to well over $325,000 today, with many homes selling for as much as five million dollars. The mainland, however, remains much more affordable. Due to these explosive growth situations, the city has found it difficult to manage growth, and has thus put strict requirements in place. No buildings are allowed to be built on the beachside over eight stories, and this may soon be changed to six. This rule, enacted over twenty years ago, drives prices higher. Disney has designated New Smyrna Beach as its chosen family destination beach in 2006. |  New Smyrna Beach is an ideal respite for those seeking a quiet getaway. Visitors quickly discover why these 13 miles of beach has been dubbed “Florida’s Best” by Florida Monthly Magazine. Beachgoers appreciate the tranquility and surfers catch awesome waves along the Eastern Seaboard.
New Smyrna Beach is home to North America’s most biologically diverse estuary. Kayak on your own, or take a leisurely cruise to get a closer look at dolphin and manatees. Golfers can choose from four unique courses, and anglers have the option of surf or backwater fishing. Art galleries abound, as do classes where visitors can explore their own creativity by painting a masterpiece or discovering the art of glassblowing. Accommodations include charming bed and breakfast inns, privately owned hotels and motels, laidback campgrounds and posh condominiums. Be far enough away to avoid the crowds and noise of surrounding areas, yet close enough to bustling Daytona Beach. Plan day trips to Daytona Beach, St. Augustine - the oldest city in the nation with its historic beauty, The Kennedy Space Center or DAYTONA USA. Orlando’s theme parks are only one hour drive away. Historic Canal Street and Flagler Avenue sport beautifully restored buildings and offer unique items not found elsewhere. There are dozens of family owned eateries where visitors can enjoy gourmet dining or a burger at one of three shack-style restaurants. New Smyrna Beach was founded in 1768, by English physician Dr. Andrew Turnbull. It is the oldest city in Volusia County, and one of the oldest in the State of Florida. It's name is attributed to Turnbull's wife, who was born in Smyrna, or Izmir, Turkey. The city occupies a notable place in history by being the single largest attempt by a member of the British Crown at colonization in the New World. Turnbull transplanted around 1500 settlers from Smyrna, Turkey (now Izmir), The Greek Isles, Sicily, Mallorca, Ibiza, and Minorca to grow Hemp, Sugarcane, Indigo, and to produce Rum. The colony suffered major losses due to insect-borne diseases and Indian raids; and tensions grew due to mistreatment by Turnbull, and constant raids by the Seminole. Due to these complications, the remaining colonists marched north to St. Augustine along the Old King's Highway, to claim mistreatment by Turnbull to the Governor of Florida in St. Augustine; then a British protectorate. Soon after, St. Augustine was returned to the Spanish, and Turnbull abandoned his colony for life in Charleston, South Carolina. The city then only maintained sparse populations due to Seminole raids until after the Civil War, during which its still-standing "Stone Wharf" was shelled by Union gunboats. During prohibition, the city and it's river islands where popular still sites and hideouts for rumrunners coming in from the Bahamas through Mosquito Inlet, now Ponce De Leon Inlet. "New Smyrna", became "New Smyrna Beach" in 1947, when the city annexed the seaside community of Coronado Beach. Today, it is a bustling resort town of over 20,000 permanent residents, with over 400,000 visitors annually. NEW SMYRNA'S FOUNDING FATHER Andrew Turnbull (1718–1792) was a British Consul at Smyrna. He organized the largest attempt at British colonization in the New World by founding New Smyrna, Florida, named in honor of his wife's birthplace. New Smyrna, Florida Colony, founded in 1768, encompassed some 101,400 acres (410 km˛) and was nearly three times the size of the colony at Jamestown. Turnbull married Maria Gracia Dura Bin, the daughter of a Greek merchant from Smyrna, Asia Minor, secured a grant of 40,000 acres (160 km˛) of land in conjunction with Sir William Duncan, for the East Coast of Florida, with the requirement from the English government that it be settled within 10 years in the proportion of one person for every hundred acres. Turnbull sailed for America in 1765 and in St. Augustine, Florida, he secured the grant of land from Governor James Grant. The land grant was located about 75 miles south of St. Augustine, in what is now New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He then returned to England where he secured financing for his forthcoming venture through bounties from the government and the Board of Trade, and then sailed for the Mediterranean to search for his colonists "for a Tract of Land in East Florida on which I might settle a small Colony of Greeks," as Turnbull explained in a letter to Lord Shelburne. In June, 1767, Turnbull arrived with his ships in the Mediterranean, and he visited Minorca; Leghorn, Italy; Smyrna, Asia Minor; the island of Melos; Mani, Koroni, Greece; Methoni, Greece; Crete; Santorini; Corsica; Mahon. He found opposition from French, Italian, and Turkish authorities, who did not want to see their subjects leave, but after persistent efforts, he finally rounded up about 1,400 colonists and left for his new colony in East Florida, which he was to name "New Smyrna" in honor of his wife, a native of Smyrna, Asia Minor. Prior to European arrival, the area was inhabited by the Timucua and Ais tribes of Seminole. In the 1500's, the Mosquito Lagoon was named Rio de Ais by the Spanish, as an attribution to the people that lived there. Both tribes died out in the 1700's, but raids continued in the area well into the 19th century by Seminole in the southern parts of the state. Some evidence suggests that the Ais and Timucua inhabited the area for more than 10,000 years, such as the giant shell midden "Turtle Mound" which is located in Canaveral National Seashore, approximately seven miles south of New Smyrna Beach. The midden is so huge, that it may be seen from up to seven miles at sea |
