If you've ever spent time in Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas, you have more than likely crossed over a bridge from the mainland to the barrier island and the beach. As you traverse the bridge you can look down into the sparkling waters of the Halifax River.
You may wonder why a river in Florida would be named after a city in Nova Scotia, Canada?
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers spread out over the Florida peninsula after Ponce de Leon's discovery in 1513. More than fifty years later Captain Antonio de Prado explored the area in present day Volusia County. In his report back to the king, Captain de Prado named the river "Los Mosquitos" as he and his crew were attacked by swarms of gnats. About thirty years later, the area was explored further and mapped by Spanish explorer, Alvaro Mexia, showing the river as the North Mosquito River.
In 1763, at the end of the Seven Years War and the French and Indian Wars, Spain ceded the Florida territory to the British in exchange for the island of Cuba. The British began making numerous land grants in order to encourage settlement on the newly acquired peninsula. The surveys created to plot the land for hundreds of land grants indicate the river had been renamed in honor of George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax and President of the British Board of Trade. And yes, Halifax, Nova Scotia was named after the same guy a few years earlier in the 18th Century.
Today, the Halifax River flows 25 miles (40km), from north to south, with an average depth of around 5 feet (1.5m). Passing through Ormond Beach, Holly Hill, Daytona Beach, South Daytona, Port Orange, Wilbur-by-the Sea, and Ponce Inlet. It is crossed by six bridges, connecting the mainland and the barrier island along the coast.
The Halifax River is a valuable resource that benefits both residents and visitors alike. Throughout its journey to the Ponce Inlet, both shores of the Halifax are dotted with parks, boat launch ramps, and fishing piers. In Ormond Beach, at the eastern base of the Granada Blvd. bridge is Fortunato Park, a favorite with families, dog walkers and fishermen alike. Follow the riverside walkway under the bridge and enjoy views of John D. Rockefeller's riverside winter home, "The Casements."
Fortunato Park is just one of many riverside parks with covered fishing shelters. Halifax River anglers catch a variety of fish including Snook, Tarpon, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, and Flounder, just to name a few.
Of course boating is king on the Halifax. Just south of the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Orange Avenue sits the exclusive Halifax River Yacht Club. Just to the yacht club's south is The City of Daytona Beach's 60 acre, Halifax Harbor and Marina, providing more than 500 boat slips available for permanent, seasonal and even overnight docking.
From Orange Avenue to the Main Street Bridge on the mainland side of the river are the Riverfront Shops on Beach Street and the Riverfront Esplanade, with walking paths, picnic areas, restroom facilities, and Manatee Island with an amphitheater, picnic shelters and more walking pathways.
So whether you are visiting or live here, it is hard to avoid the Halifax River, and why would you anyway? Enjoy the liquid gold of Volusia County at its fullest.
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