Ormond Hotel

The Ormond Hotel was built in 1887 by John Anderson and Joseph D. Price to coincide with the arrival of the railroad. It opened its doors 1 January 1888 for the winter season. John D. Rockefeller, the Prince of Wales, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and Thomas Edison, amongst others, were guests. Henry Flagler, as he expanded and consolidated his railroad empire, purchased the hotel in 1890. As his railroad moved south to other destinations, such as Palm Beach, became more fashionable but the Ormond Hotel retained a following for years simply because it was the birthplace of speed where early records were set on the hard packed sands of the beach. At one time it was one of the largest wooden structures in the world and, when demolished in 1992, was considered the largest in the United States with 11 miles (18 km) of corridors. The Hotel is now a sprawling condominium and only its restored cupola remains and can be fond in Fortunato park near the site of the hotel.

The cupola is the only part of the hotel that is left. It was placed in Fortunato park, directly across from the hotel, after its restoration.	Click on photo for larger version. Photo © Patrick Beuzet 2006
The interior of the cupola has a painting of the hotel.	Click on photo for larger version. Photo © Patrick Beuzet 2006
A postcard dating from the early 1900's.	Click on photo for larger version. Photo courtesy of the Florida State Archives.
View of the hotel from across the Halifax river. The photo dates from the 1920's.	Click on photo for larger version. Photo courtesy of the Florida State Archives.
Same view as above but dated 1988.	Click on photo for larger version. Photo courtesy of the Florida State Archives.

Return to Index.

Contact me by clicking on the mail box.