The Abbey

The Abbey is a house at 426 South Beach Street in Daytona Beach, built in 1875 as a commercial store. The structure features a distinctive peaked roof and underwent renovation in 1904 when two architectural extensions were added.

The building was constructed in 1875 as Thompson's General Store and played a key role in Daytona's earliest days by hosting the first vote for the city's incorporation. The official incorporation papers were signed at this location.

The building served multiple purposes for the community over time, including as a general store, church meeting space, social gathering hall, and lending library. These roles reveal how central it was to daily life in town.

The building is located in a historic downtown area along South Beach Street where other older structures can be found nearby. Visitors should allow time to examine the architectural details closely, including the peaked roof and the added sections from the renovation.

Harrison Garfield Rhodes, a noted writer and magazine editor, lived here seasonally from 1918 to 1929 after his mother Adelaide purchased the property. This artistic connection adds a literary dimension to the building's past that many visitors overlook.

Location: Florida

GPS coordinates: 29.20472,-81.01694

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:21