The historical past of Downtown Hastings
Hastings is called in honor of Thomas Horace Hastings. Hastings was the cousin of FEC railroad magnate and Normal Oil co-founder Henry M. Flagler. On the time, with lavish accommodations in St. Augustine and Ormond Seashore, Flagler requested Hastings to start out a farm to develop meals for his company.
In 1890, Hastings and his household settled on 1,569 acres owned by the Mannequin Land Firm. Right here, Hastings established Prairie Backyard, an agricultural operation consisting of Hastings’ home, inexperienced homes, and log cabins for his foreman and 40 employees. A railroad depot was additionally constructed. Included as a city in 1909, Hastings grew to become often called the Potato Capital of the World.
Following the railroad line’s abandonment by way of city and the development of Interstate 95 a number of miles east, Hastings fell into financial decline. The dramatic influence of the transportation community bypassing the neighborhood was mirrored within the change within the city’s inhabitants. In 1940, it was house to 1,035 residents. By 2015, the inhabitants had declined to 620. In February 2017, residents voted to dismantle their city authorities and revoke its constitution.
Nonetheless, as we speak Hastings is a neighborhood on the rise. In 2024, together with Historic Eastside’s Florida Avenue Primary Avenue, Downtown Hastings grew to become an official Florida Primary Avenue Program. Initiated by the Nationwide Primary Avenue Middle, Primary Avenue offers sources and a structured method to assist communities renew and revitalize their downtown districts and conventional “major avenue” industrial corridors.
The imaginative and prescient of Hastings Primary Avenue is to create a vibrant and important downtown Hastings by activating vacant and underutilized areas to help native companies, preserve historic rural character, and create a “welcoming” setting for all residents and guests. The earlier than and after images captured beneath visually illustrate the dramatic implementation of Hastings Primary Avenue’s imaginative and prescient.
Earlier than: 316, 312 & 308 North Primary Avenue in 2015
From left to proper: 316 North Primary Avenue is a ten,293-square-foot, two-story constructing that was erected in 1920. In 1938, 312 North Primary Avenue was constructed. 308 North Primary Avenue was accomplished in 1950. In 2015, all three buildings contained vacant storefronts.
After: 316, 312 & 308 North Primary Avenue
Acquired in 2021, all three buildings have been lately renovated. Immediately, they’re house to a variety of new regionally owned companies.
Established in 2024, 312 North Primary Avenue is now occupied by Hastings Diet on Primary Avenue is a veterans-owned smoothie and juice bar specializing in wholesome power teas, protein shakes, refreshers and yummy boba.
308-B North Primary Avenue is the present house of ChocoLattes. Owned and operated by Brooke Williams and Sarah Boger, this lady owned bakery provides desserts, espresso and extra.
Established in 2025, 308-A North Primary Avenue is now leased to the Hastings Espresso Firm. The place southern hospitality meets espresso, the Black-owned espresso store opened its doorways in Hastings in Could 2024.