Tarragona Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Tarragona Tower
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| Location | Daytona Beach, Florida  United States |
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| Built | 1925 |
| Architect | Charles Ballough |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000368 |
| Added to NRHP | May 6, 2005 |
The Tarragona Tower is a unique building in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is also known as the Tarragona Arch or Tarragona Castle. This special tower was built in 1925 during a time called the Florida Land Boom. It was meant to be a grand entrance to a new neighborhood.
The tower has a very interesting history. It was partly torn down during World War II. Later, the whole building was moved to a new spot. Today, it stands as a reminder of Florida's past. It is a recognized historic place.
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Building the Tarragona Tower
The Tarragona Tower was designed by an architect named Elias F. De La Haye. It was built using a special local rock called coquina rock. This rock is made from tiny shells and sand. All the coquina rock came from a nearby quarry.
About 4,000 cubic yards of coquina rock were used. Workers also used 1,000 bags of cement mix. Spanish roofing and flooring tiles were brought in for the building. A local artist named Don J. Emery created the artwork inside.
The tower's design was inspired by old towers in Tarragona, Spain. Charles Ballough, a well-known builder, finished the tower in 1925. He often used coquina rock in his projects.
The tower was originally 45 feet tall. It had two large arches, one on each side. These arches were 40 feet high and 150 feet long. They extended out from the tower at angles. The walls of the tower are very thick, from 18 inches to 4 feet. They have small windows at different levels. The arches used to stretch over two streets. Cars could even drive underneath them.
What Was Its First Job?
The Tarragona Tower was built to be a fancy entrance. It led into a large new neighborhood called Daytona Highlands. This area was planned to have 1,000 acres of homes. The tower was a way to get people excited about buying land and houses there. It was like a big advertisement.
The tower has eight separate rooms inside. The first floor was the sales office for the developers. It had Spanish furniture, a fireplace, and a small bathroom. Above that, there was a lecture room, a storage room, and a drafting room.
The top floor could be reached by stairs. From here, people looking to buy land could see the whole area. There were 24 windows for great views. A powerful searchlight was also on the top floor. It shined a beam of light through the windows every night. This light could be seen for miles. It was a bright advertisement for the new neighborhood.
When an Arch Was Taken Down
During World War II, the US Army became worried. They thought the arch over Volusia Avenue might block their military vehicles. So, in 1942, this arch was torn down. Many people in the community did not want it removed.
It turned out the US Army never even used that road for military purposes. So, taking down the arch was not necessary. You can still see where the arch was removed. The north wall of the tower, facing International Speedway Boulevard, shows patchwork repairs.
About two-thirds up the wall, there is a triangle shape. This is where the arch's roof used to connect. The coquina rock used for repairs below this point does not quite match the original stone. A doorway on the second level, which led into the arch, now has a wooden door. It has a square window and an iron railing outside. A new porch was built from coquina rock. Steps from this porch lead to the tower's staircase. An iron gate now locks the entrance for safety.
Moving the Whole Tower
By 1985, the Florida State Department of Transportation planned to widen International Speedway Boulevard. The Tarragona Tower was in the way of the new road. People thought about different ideas for the tower. They could tear it down, build the road around it, take it apart and rebuild it, or move it.
Tearing it down was not an option because people strongly opposed it. Building the road around it was too expensive. Taking it apart and rebuilding it was not possible, according to engineers. So, they decided to move the entire tower.
In November 1994, the huge 800-ton tower was lifted up. It was placed on a special track. Then, it was moved 75 feet south from its original spot. This project cost $500,000. Moving the tower saved it from being destroyed. However, the inside of the tower still needed a lot of repair.
Fixing Up the Tower in 2004
After the Great Depression, building in the Daytona Highlands stopped. The Tarragona Tower was no longer used as a sales office. Residents used it as a community center until the 1950s.
For many years, the tower was not taken care of. The inside became dirty with trash, mold, and animal droppings. Termites also caused a lot of damage to the wooden beams inside. The tower's interior was in very bad shape and unsafe.
BHM Architecture, Inc. helped to save the tower. They made sure all the problems were fixed. They also restored the inside. The restoration project finished in 2004. It cost about $400,000. The tower also received a special treatment to prevent future termite damage.
The inside rooms of the tower are small. Because of this, it was not possible to add heating, air conditioning, or ramps for people with disabilities. So, the tower is not open to the public.
A Historic Place in 2005
On May 6, 2005, the Tarragona Tower was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historic sites in the United States. The tower is listed for its architecture, community planning, and development. Its important time period is from 1925 to 1955.
Award for Saving History in 2006
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation works to save Florida's old buildings and history. In 2006, the Tarragona Tower's restoration project won a special award. It received the Outstanding Restoration/Rehabilitation Award. This award recognized the great work done to fix and preserve the tower.
The Tower's Story Today
The Tarragona Tower still stands today. It reminds us of the big plans developers had during the Florida Land Boom in the 1920s. The tower almost got torn down many times. Now, it is one of Florida's largest historic monuments from a subdivision. It is a unique building and an interesting landmark in Northeast Florida.
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