Following the American Civil War, the area became a popular tourist destination for wealthy travelers. In 1875, settlers from New Britain, Connecticut, founded the city as New Britain, but the city was incorporated in 1880 as Ormond. The city was named after James Ormond I, an Anglo-Irish-Scottish sea captain responsible for transporting Franciscan settlers to Florida on behalf of King Ferdinand VII of Spain (1784-1833). The St. Johns & Halifax Railroad arrived in 1886 and the Ormond Hotel was constructed in 1888. The first automobile races were held on a track of beach from Ormond south to Daytona Beach in 1902. As a result, Ormond Beach is nicknamed "The Birthplace of Speed."]]> Ormond Beach Collection, Volusia County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>