SURFSIDE DANCE HALL AND BATHHOUSE
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SONOTECH
N 29° 55.431 W 081° 17.670
17R E 471574 N 3310383
SURFSIDE DANCE HALL AND BATHHOUSE
Waymark Code: WMVFW
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 10/16/2006
Views: 54
Here from the early 1900's stood Surfside "Casino." Casinos did not offer gambling - they were entertainment centers. Surfside was built as part of the Capo family resort destination of 165 acres. The yacht Pauline II ferried visitors from St. Augustine up the North River to Capo's Landing at the west end of Surfside Avenue where they could stay at Capo's Hotel and have a five course meal at a 120 - seat restaurant for 25 cents. A horse drawn trolley brought visitors to Capo’s Beach where the casino offered an upstairs dance hall, a downstairs bathhouse, and a venue for horse races, organized sports and picnic events. A bathing beauty might have her photo taken in front of a biplane on the beach. The North Shores Improvement Association began meeting here in 1939 to improve the quality of life on their barrier island. During and after World War II, Surfside was popular with military personnel where local bands and jukebox music were enjoyed. The building remained a favorite place for young people to have parties through the 1960s. In the 1970s the aging building was torn down and the site converted to a county oceanfront park.
Marker Number: F-556
Date: 2005
County: St Johns
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of State
Website: Not listed
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