Built in 1884 by Laurence Thompson, one of the area’s first settlers, the charming Lilian Place Historic House is the oldest house on the beachside of Daytona Beach. Erected at a time when only those with a pioneering spirit lived here, the home is a distinctive example not of frontier architecture, but of High Victorian architecture, boasting high ceilings and solid pine floors. Because this area is so tied to the sea, there’s a widow’s walk, where the wives of sea captains waited for their men to return (or not).
Author Stephen Crane (The Red Badge of Courage) ended up getting here the hard way — by swimming — when his boat sank offshore in 1896. Some local folks swear he’s still here, roaming the rooms and the corridors, along with other “eternal” guests such as Lucille, the mystery ghost of Lilian Place.
Other ghosts reported to still haunt the old home include laughing children and a woman dressed all in white. A gift shop is located on the premises, as well as a tearoom. Guided tours are available.
