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Photo sketch by Sandy Brooke, Digital Image by Mo's Digital Pencil and card by Carla Brooke |
It’s summer and it’s time to hit the beach.
Just one and a half hours from Orlando, is the seaside town of Flagler
Beach. The town is on an island bordered on the east by the Atlantic
Ocean and on the west by the wetlands of the Interacoast Waterway.These unspoiled beaches are easily accessible located as they are; 68
miles south of Jacksonville, 31 miles south of historic St.
Augustine, and 20 miles north of Daytona Beach. Few tourists
traveling on I-95 realize the treasure that they are passing up. Nineteen
miles of unique red sand beaches, virtually traffic-free, with
unlimited access are waiting to be discovered by the discerning
traveler. The red coloration of the sand is derived from the coquina
formed from seashells.
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Photo sketch by Sandy Brooke, Digital Image by Mo's Digital Pencil and card by Carla Brooke |
There is an 800-foot pier to tempt fishermen
of all ages and skills. Some 46 varieties of fish may be landed from
the 25-ft. deep waters that the wharf accesses. There is a bait shop
at the foot of the pier where you can rent fishing gear and purchase
bait and supplies. Eateries, gift shops and
galleries are located along scenic A1A.
For young people who still find it exciting to
risk life and limb there is a new skate park located near the beach.
This exciting complex was built by the county and is
situated at Wadsworth Park. It is on the North side of SR 100 just ½
mile West of the Flagler Beach Bridge.
The
Intracoastal Waterway, constructed in 1890 helped to attract
fisherman and permanent residents, with its wide, deep-water channel
through the wetlands and marshes. Here they discovered plentiful
wildlife; including crabs, tarpon, bass, manatees and dolphins.
Flying overhead and wading in the shallows are numerous herons and
egrets.
The
community was originally called Ocean City and the first homes were
built in 1913. The beachside community began to grow, with the
addition of a general store and the Ocean City Post Office. The
beach proved popular with campers, sun worshipers, fishermen and later with surfers. In 1923, the United States Post Office declared “Flagler Beach”
its official name. At the Flagler Beach Museum, vintage photographs
and artifacts gathered from pioneer families illustrating the area’s
history. This museum is located at 207 South Central Avenue, Flagler
Beach 32136. The museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Sunday and the First Friday of each month 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. For more information and holiday hours call 386 517-2025.
Although
located in one of the fastest growing counties in Florida, Flagler
Beach in Flagler County has managed to retain its small town
atmosphere. Holidays in this town are usually celebrated with much
flair and fanfare. The town celebrated July 4th with a parade in the morning and in the evening a colorful fireworks
display over the ocean, just beyond the pier. This exciting
presentation was enjoyed from the boardwalk alongside the dunes of
the beach.
For information on upcoming events call the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce at 386
437-0106.
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Photo sketch by Sandy Brooke, Digital Image by Sassy Cheryl and card by Carla Brooke |
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Photo sketch by Sandy Brooke, Digital Image by Mo's Digital Pencil and card by Carla Brooke |
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Nearby
in Palm Coast, public-spirited volunteers in partnership with the
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are
constructing the new Florida Agricultural Museum in a desire to
educate the public about Florida’s agricultural past and future.
The museum promises to be the state’s largest living history
museum, to house and display artifacts collected from across Florida. Here, in the future visitors
will view the beginnings of farm technology and large-scale
production of agricultural products. The Florida Agricultural Museum
is located at 1850 Princess Place Road, Palm Coast,
Florida 32137.
A trip to Flagler County, Florida is fun in the sun and more!