May 31st Over to Vilano Beach, to the former Surfside Dance Hall and Bathhouse

Surfside Dance Hall and Bathhouse

Inscription. Here from the early 1900s stood Surfside "Casino." Casinos did not offer gambling - they were entertainment centers. Surfside was built as part of the Capo family resort destination of 165 acres. The yacht Pauline II ferried visitors from St. Augustine up the North River to Capo's Landing at the west end of Surfside Avenue where they could stay at Capo's Hotel and have a five course meal at a 120-seat restaurant for 25 cents. A horse drawn trolley brought visitors to Capo's Beach where the casino offered an upstairs dance hall, a downstairs bathhouse, and a venue for horse races, organized sports and picnic events. A bathing beauty might have her photo taken in front of a biplane on the beach. The North Shores Improvement Association began meeting here in 1939 to improve the quality of life on this barrier island. During and after World War II, Surfside was popular with military personnel where local bands and jukebox music were enjoyed. The building remained a favorite place for young people to have parties through the 1960s. In the 1970s the aging building was torn down and the site converted to a county oceanfront park. Erected 2005 by St. Johns County - Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-556.) Location. 29° 55.43′ N, 81° 17.673′ W. Marker is in Vilano Beach, Florida, in Saint Johns County. Marker is at the intersection of North Ocean Boulevard (State Highway A1A) and Surfside Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Ocean Boulevard.