Flagler Beach & Palm Coast
North Atlantic Coast of Florida

Flagler Beach, a collection of windswept sand dunes, is located just 30 miles north of Daytona Beach. While many of Florida’s early inhabitants tended to settle further inland, the Timucuan Indians found that changing conditions enabled them to settle the area. However, the arrival of the Europeans brought death to the Indian population, which was decimated by diseases for which they had no immunity, and eventually the Timucuan nation died out. The area was settled by the Europeans, with the Spanish settling in St. Augustine and the French in Jacksonville. Flagler became the scene of an infamous naval battle in 1565. The battle was fought off shore as a violent storm overtook the French ships, pushing them southward and wrecking them on the beach near Ponce de Leon inlet. The surviving French Huguenots made their way back through Flagler County to the Matanzas River where they attempted to surrender to Menendez. One condition of the surrender was that the French give up their Protestant faith and accept Catholicism - the French refused and nearly 250 of them were massacred as trespassers and heretics, beginning 235 years of Spanish control in Florida. The area continued to see conflict between the settlers and the Seminole Indians during the time of the Seminole wars. However, peace eventually came to the area and it soon started to prosper as the settlers turned their attention to farming large plantations of cotton, sugar cane, rice and indigo.

FOR THE GOLF LOVERS...
Flagler Beach and Palm Coast is a 20 mile stretch of coastline that is a sportsman’s paradise, whether it’s fishing from Flagler Beach Pier, catching the perfect wave or playing a round of golf on one of the area's celebrated courses. This area is fast becoming one of Florida’s most sought-after locations for those who want to get away from the busy metropolitan life but want to remain close to a resort and cultural centers. Home to some of the finest golf courses in the country, so prestigious is this area that the Palm Coast Golf Resort boasts not one but three courses designed by golfing legends. Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player have all designed courses here, making the Palm Coast Resort the only place in the country where you can play these master courses one after the other.

WILDLIFE, FISHING AND FABULOUS BLOOMS...
In common with many other parts of Florida, the area is home to an abundance of wildlife. Sea turtles can be found nesting along the unspoiled coastline, manatees graze the waterways, dolphins entertain visitors with spectacular displays of acrobatics and bird watchers gather to view ospreys, wood storks and great blue herons. Fishing is excellent in this area, especially on the inland lakes where fishermen can be found struggling to land the giant bass which inhabit the waters. Definitely worth a mention is the springtime Florida Azalea Festival, held when many of the area's plants reach full bloom in an explosion of color. One of the better places to see this spectacular display of nature is the Ravine Garden State Park.

MUSEUMS FULL OF HISTORICAL INTEREST...
For those looking for a more cultural experience, this area contains numerous sites of historic interest, including the Putnam Historic Museum which is housed in Palatka’s oldest surviving building, dated to circa 1837. The museum houses artifacts and memorabilia relating to the history of Palatka and Putnam Counties. The Palatka Railroad Preservation Society (an informal collection of people interested in preserving the rail heritage of Palatka and the surrounding area) was established in 1993. The City of Palatka allowed the new society to use the Palatka Railroad Depot, a portion of which has been established as the David Browning Railroad Museum and contains documents, photographs, maps, signs and other items donated or loaned by the public. Other museums include the Florida Agricultural Museum, the Holden House Museum and the Bronson Mulholland House.

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