THE COMMUNITIES OF The FunCoast
THE COMMUNITIES OF
The FunCoast
Several waterfront communities comprise the FunCoast. The area is rich in culture and history, and an abundance of natural parks. Located in oceanside Volusia County, the FunCoast offers a relaxed lifestyle and its own special flavor of seacoast living.
New Smyrna Beach
Located at the mouth of the Ponce
de Leon Inlet, New Smyrna Beach serves as the gateway to the
historic and picturesque Indian River Intracoastal Waterway and
13 miles of Atlantic Coast beach reputed to be the
"World’s 
Safest Bathing Beach." The area is 30.5
square miles and its population is 18,000.
Rich in history and sunshine, New
Smyrna Beach is often referred to as "Florida’s
Original Theme Park." Bound at the southside of the island
by the pristine 57,000-acre Canaveral National Seashore park and
at the north end by Smyrna Dunes Park, with its 1.5 mile
boardwalk loop around the Inlet area, nature comes alive here.
Watersports abound, with some of the best surfing in the area and
fishing that is absolutely first-class. Palm trees border Flagler
Avenue, a true seaside beach street lined with quaint boutiques,
surf shops and restaurants. Historic Canal Street in downtown
New Smyrna Beach has enjoyed a renewed
emphasis on its old town charm.
Ponce Inlet
Ponce Inlet is a community that shares part of a barrier island with Daytona Beach. During the 19th century, shipwrecks along the east coast of Florida were increasing at a staggering rate. The United States Lighthouse Board visited the area and determined a lighthouse was needed between Saint Augustine and Cape Canaveral. The Board recommended Mosquito Inlet, known for its strong current, shifting sand, and gusty wind as the prime location for the new lighthouse.
By 1884, work was begun on the 175 foot tall structure built of red brick shipped from Baltimore, Maryland. Designed by Francis Hopkinson Smith, a noted writer and engineer, it was declared by lighthouse inspectors to be "the most beautiful and best proportioned tower in the district." When the tower was completed in 1887, the Lighthouse Board issued a "Notice to Mariners" to announce the new light.
For over 80 years,
the light was faithful to its service and never missed a night.
However, in 1970, the Coast Guard established a beacon on the
south side of the inlet and abandoned the lighthouse. Two years
later, the lighthouse compound was deeded to the Town of Ponce
Inlet with the establishment of the Ponce de Leon Inlet
Lighthouse Preservation Association, Inc. The restoration of the 
buildings was soon begun,
although the lighthouse remained dark for nearly 12 years.
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is synonymous with speed and cutting edge technology. This Central Florida area has more computer technology graduates (Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Central Florida, Bethune Cookman College, Stetson University and University of South Florida) than the North Carolina golden Triangle. Daytona Beach has:
Over the next five years, the area is projected to grow 125 percent faster than the national average and 12 percent faster than the rest of the state.
Area attractions and companies like
NASCAR,
Gale Industries, Hudson Tool & Die, Crane Cam, KMC Telecom and others 
have established their Corporate and
Regional Headquarters in Daytona Beach.
Port Orange
You should take a moment to see
Port Orange and experience the opportunities to be found here.
Discover the variety of housing styles available. Take advantage
of the excellent schools. Immerse yourself in the special events
and happenings. Escape to the movies and into literature.
Adventure through wooded natural spaces by bicycle or on foot.
Participate in the abundant recreational activities. Shop 'til
you drop. Stroll along the calming waterfront. And feast on
fabulous dining for every palate. From quality City services and
programs to superior businesses and lifestyle 
opportunities, Port Orange has all of this
and more to offer its residents.
Edgewater
Imagine a community nestled alongside the Indian River, with all the comforts of home and that special charm of a small Florida town. This is Edgewater, located just south of New Smyrna Beach and at the north end of the renowned Mosquito Lagoon.
Edgewater encompasses 11 square miles with just
over 18,000 residents. It has a strong commercial core to service the needs
of its citizens with goods and services. The city has a growing industrial segment
that includes companies like Boston Whaler and Coronado Paint in addition to
a variety of companies that manufacture everything
from kit aircraft to golfing equipment.
Oak Hill
The City of Oak Hill is the southern most city in
Southeast Volusia County. A small fishing community established in 1908, it
is approximately 10.5 square miles in size and has approximately 1200 residents.
It’s beauty and charm is enhanced by the waterfront homes, rustic fishing
camps and abundance of live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Adjacent to the Mosquito
Lagoon it maintains a strong relationship to the natural environment where 
wildlife abounds and the fishing is the best in the world.
Copyright 2004 A. J. Leonard - all rights reserved