Our Jane Sheldon Chapter is located on the east coast of Central Florida in
New Smyrna Beach. Our southern border is defined by Cape Canaveral National Seashore
and our northern border sculpted by the majestic Ponce de Leon Inlet. Our populated areas include
"Beachside" on
the barrier island and New Smyrna Beach on the "Mainland".
The ocean vistas, the ever present trade winds, and silver sand beaches, most certainly prompted
Dr. Andrew Turnbull, his wife, and other colonists to settle here in New Smyrna circa 1768. Native wildlife
abounds in this climate including the endangered loggerhead turtles, dolphins, and manatees, along with countless
butterflies and flowers of every color and fragrance.
Daily sightseeing trips upon the Indian River provide passages back into New Smyrna History. Your destination
choices might include the Ponce de Leon Inlet lighthouse, archaeological sites, shopping on historic Canal and
Flagler Streets, luncheons at ocean and riverside restaurants, and a boat trip through the expansive Indian River
Estuary.
The Jane Sheldon Chapter was organized on October 29, 1925, by Mrs. Zelia Wilson Sweett. The recruiting stage
began earlier with the assistance of Florida State Regent, Mrs. Theodore Strawn, who was visiting at the time, and
suggested that a new chapter was needed to preserve the history of the community
and aid in the preservation of the
many historical spots in the vicinity. We were able to form a chapter with six new members and six members from the
disbanded Victoria Sheldon Chapter. |
