The Ruins of Daytona Beach's Talisman Lodge

Along Daytona Beach Shore's sandy dunes, at 3411 South Atlantic Avenue, an unusual emblem stares down from the ruins of what used to be some sort of hotel or condominium. When I first saw it several weeks ago, I wondered at the origin. It looked like a shield or logo of some sort. So, from right there on the beach I fired up Google Goggles on my new HTC Thunderbolt smartphone, took a picture and let my phone do some searching... and came up with nothing.

I looked again at the property. Obviously it had held something at one time. It was time to start asking around.

I started at the front desk of the Days Inn hotel that I was staying at.

"There's an empty lot right next to you here," I said, pointing to the south. "Do you know what it was? What used to be there?"

"Talisman Lodge," came the quick response. A slight grin played across the woman's face. "Boy, did they have some good coffee."

"So, you remember it?"

"Oh, yeah. I was here when the hurricanes hit in 2004 doing all the damage. Why a strong gust of wind ripped a bunch of rocks from the top of the Talisman. We'd told our guests to park at street level in case the lower garage flooded, which, as it turned out, it did flood. But those rocks from the Talisman ended up breaking the car windows of the cars that were in our parking lot. I got off the beach after that."

Florida hurricanes. They sure do have a way of wreaking havoc on Florida's coastal communities. Why, just 3.8 miles north of the Talisman Lodge's original site lay the huge remains of Daytona's Treasure Island Resort . Both resorts taken out by nature's pounding fury.

Unlike the Treasure Island Resort, there isn't much left of the Talisman Lodge.

I walked along the sea wall, past the crest emblem, and then climbed the half buried stairs. The landing revealed a rusty, padlocked gate (see close-up photo #2 above). Had the gate opened, I would have been able to walk along an unlevel patch of ground partially covered with weeds and grass. Here and there shattered light poles poked up from the ground keeping the rusting railing company. Some irrigation or electrical piping could be seen nudging out of the dirt and sand. In one secluded spot under the railing, I found a standard electrical outlet looking as though it were ready for use.

What was the Talisman Lodge like?

I can't speak from experience, as I never stayed at the lodge. But I did find an unnamed visitor who left this posting on a hotel review site:

"My family enjoys the Talisman Lodge in Daytona Beach Shores. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and the hotel is family oriented. The Talisman is not fancy, but each time my family has stayed there we have had a great experience. If you try the Talisman, ask for either room 25 or 26. These rooms are on the lower level, have a kitchenette, and have a private patio that leads directly to the pool area. - Chattanooga Visitor, March 2005"

I was also surprised to learn that a friend had stayed there often. Here's what he shared:

"We stayed there from 1994 every Summer untill the last season it was open in 2004. In 1994 I kept bumping my head on the chandelier in the sitting area. I took a bread tie and tied it up. Over the next 10 years we stayed in that room 3 or 4 times and my parents the rest. That bread tie was never removed. Mom and Dad stayed there 2 or 3 times a year. Mom would call Frank (owner) for a room when tropical storms where brewing. Go down to see the waves for a few days and go home days before the Hurricane would hit land. When Mom passed away, Frank sent flowers."

And if you wanted something to eat, well, the Talisman Lodge's coffee shop could accommodate:

"Casual eatery located at the Talisman Lodge offers a hearty breakfast or lunch for hotel guests and the public. Breakfast served all day. Breakfast offers the usual favorites: eggs and bacon, sausage, steak, or corned beef hash; biscuits and gravy; omelets, pancakes, or French toast. Lunch menu offers hamburgers, chicken, melts, sandwiches, wraps, subs, and pitas. Some soup and salad options offered. Chefmoz.org "

Photos from the early days

When I was researching this article, I thought it would be neat to include a photo of what the Talisman Lodge used to look like. Unfortunately, Google and Bing searches turned up next to nothing. Then I got to thinking... this section of beach is an area that I've built sand sculptures on for over a decade. What are the chances that I could dig up an old photo of the lodge? Turns out my chances were pretty good. From 2001 -- in my early days of sand sculpting -- the Talisman Lodge appears in the background. Photo #5 (you'll need to click on the photo to open it up to its full size) shows what looks to be a three story building. It's the smaller, dark building just to the right of my sand lighthouse, and to the left of the "Days Inn" painted on the sea wall.

Today the Talisman Lodge site sits waiting. From 3411 South Atlantic Avenue there's only a wooden fence to see at the property. Visit the beach side and you can catch a glimpse of where the Talisman Lodge used to be. And, of course, you can always check out the location using Google or Bing's Map.

Though there's not a lot for urban explorers to see, make sure you get a picture next to that cool crest logo. The Talisman Lodge. It may be gone, but it's not forgotten.

Particularly for those who enjoyed rooms 25 and 26.

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More Photos:

Ron Masters' Photography - See more photos from my trip to the Talisman ruins.

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More Abandoned Stories:

The Abandoned Treasure Island Hotel in Daytona Beach

The Abandoned $100 Million Florida Theme Park

The Abandoned Ghost Island of Hashima

The Abandoned Tropical Wonderland Theme Park of Johnny Weissmuller