Edgewater, Volusia County

Edgewater is a unique Intracoastal waterfront community, located alongside the Indian River Lagoon, known as the underwater rain forest, south of New Smyrna Beach and at the north end of Mosquito Lagoon and the City of Oak Hill.

 

Originally called Hawk's Park after its founder, Dr. John Milton Hawks, in 1871, as part of a Spanish land grant purchase. The first winter visitors and sellers arrived by steamboat, landing at a wharf across from a lodge called Bayview House. This four and one half-acre parcel was later given to the City as a historical site, and is now known as May-Menard Park, on Riverside Drive. Riverside Drive (formerly known as the Strand) was an Indian Trail used by the Timucuan Indians for many years. Some prehistoric midden, Indian shell and mound sites are listed in the Archaeological State Register.

 

Within fifteen years it had 115 permanent residents and was a favorite of northerners who would winter in the area.  By 1925 the community adopted the name of Edgewater for its location as an Intracoastal waterfront community. Today, Edgewater has 146 acres of parkland for both active and passive recreation and the Riverwalk along Riverside Drive.

 

Edgewater Landing, a riverfront manufactured home subdivision, has recently been recognized as one of The 50 Best Retirement Communities in America.

 

Nearby communities include New Smyrna Beach (5 miles), Oak Hill (7 miles), Ponce Inlet (9.5 miles), Port Orange (12.5 miles), Daytona Beach Shores (15 miles), South Daytona (15.5 miles) and Daytona Beach (19 miles).