Page 6 - John Anderson

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Prologue

And so, 100 years after John Anderson departed this earth (1853 –
1911), our story begins about this soft-spoken early pioneer who
literally moved mountains and rivers as he pursued his ardent and
inspiring love of the out-of-doors. With an eager desire to develop its
riches and resources wherever he came in touch with it, John
Anderson had a deep-seated compassion for human wants that led
him to respond to need whenever and wherever the appeal made
itself known.
“My Best for the Best,” John Anderson mentioned as he put his mind
and shoulder to whatever task was at hand, and there were many
tasks to be completed...
Ormond Beach history presents itself at every turn in the road and at
any moment our thoughts slip back-in-time to early plantations,
Indian wars and colonial settlement days. A drive along Granada Blvd.
brings memories of early Ormond, then the New Britain colony, our
founding families and the legacy they left us. Yes, many men and
women come to mind as we ponder the establishment of Ormond
Beach in this sometimes unforgiving tropical environment, then
known as Halifax Country.
As we pass under the “John Anderson Drive” road sign, at the base of
the Granada Bridge, or swing up John Anderson Drive, one man
certainly comes to mind. I find it fascinating that John Anderson of
Portland, Maine came to Ormond as a young man and created an
incredible legacy along the banks of the Halifax River. Everyday life
was extremely difficult during the 1870’s and 1880’s as this tiny
isolated settlement struggled to make connection with the outside
world. Unlike other developing areas of the United States, in the
1870’s there were no roads, railroads and certainly the Old Kings
Road had all but vanished. Travel to and from Halifax Country was
primarily by ship and sailboat and it took courage, planning and
stamina to penetrate and overcome this rough sub-tropical
environment. That’s where this fascinating journey begins to develop
as John Anderson meets the challenges of this remote Halifax
Country head on and brings success and acclaim to what is now
Ormond Beach.

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