Most
communities have a landmark. Some of these icons are modest and only
recognized locally. Others are grand and are more widely known. In
Daytona Beach, one of the community’s most significant landmarks is
the Daytona Beach Pier, which has a long history, a bright future
and a worldwide profile.
The pier
was built in the late 1800s. It was known then as the Keating Pier,
named for its owner, Thomas Keating. It was constructed of palm logs
and wooden planks and anchored by a gazebo. Keating Pier burned down
and was rebuilt in 1919. 1n 1924, the structure was torn down and
completely rebuilt.
When it
re-opened in 1925 the pier reached 1,000 feet into the Atlantic
Ocean and had a gazebo at its end and a grand ballroom that could,
and often did, accommodate 2,000 people.
The Pier
Casino, as it was known, was very popular for dining, dancing and
entertainment, although it was not a gambling hall. It attracted
some the most famous headliners of the day. At one time, it had a
skating rink, a museum and gardens.
It was the site of an annual festival called the Summer Frolics and
frequently hosted beauty pageants and charity events.
During
World War II, when locals helped defend the nation by watching for
signs of enemy submarines off the coast, the seaward side of the
pier was kept dark. Inside, patrons danced and partied behind the
blackened windows. In the 1960s under the ownership of the late
Harry Doan, the Main Street Pier, as it had become known, offered
scenic helicopter rides, a space needle and a sky lift. Through the
decades, it was a grand structure with distinctive Victorian
architecture. It always has been a landmark and a trademark for
Daytona Beach and is believed to be the only pier constructed with
Victorian architecture. Some believe the pier was fashioned after
the historic West Pier, a landmark for more than a century in the
United Kingdom.
Over the
years, time and Mother Nature took their toll on the Main Street
Pier and eventually its grand ballroom was closed. The city acquired
the pier from Harry Doan’s widow, Theresa Doan, with funds provided
by developers. After sustaining damage from the hurricanes of 2004,
restoration of the pier began.
“There
was an unwavering commitment among everyone involved with the
project to
re-create the structure as a community gathering place, to restore
its trademark Victorian architecture and to add new amenities for
the enjoyment of residents
and visitors,” said Bill Chaffin, the pier’s manager. It was a $3
million project. Already, the historic bar in the casino room has
been re-opened and patrons can enjoy lunch while gazing at arched
walls and stamped tin ceilings. Eventually the casino room will be
re-opened and will serve as a venue for meetings, events and
weddings.
A grand
entrance to the complex at the base of the pier is under way by the
City of Daytona Beach in the form of a public park.
Eventually the Daytona Beach Pier will include a second pier with a
Ferris wheel and other amusements. Condominium hotels and themed
restaurants are part of the overall plan for the nearby Boardwalk.
The
Daytona Beach Pier has had a colorful history with a mystique that
has withstood depression, recession, world war, hurricanes and the
ravages of time. It now has a proud profile. Its new look honors its
heritage with a design that will endure long into the future. And a
hundred years from now, we’ll still be writing about it. ■
