The history of Downtown Hastings
Hastings is named in honor of Thomas Horace Hastings. Hastings was the cousin of FEC railroad magnate and Standard Oil co-founder Henry M. Flagler. At the time, with lavish hotels in St. Augustine and Ormond Beach, Flagler asked Hastings to start a farm to grow food for his guests.
In 1890, Hastings and his family settled on 1,569 acres owned by the Model Land Company. Here, Hastings established Prairie Garden, an agricultural operation consisting of Hastings’ house, green houses, and log cabins for his foreman and 40 workers. A railroad depot was also constructed. Incorporated as a town in 1909, Hastings became known as the Potato Capital of the World.
Following the railroad line’s abandonment through town and the construction of Interstate 95 several miles east, Hastings fell into economic decline. The dramatic impact of the transportation network bypassing the community was reflected in the change in the town’s population. In 1940, it was home to 1,035 residents. By 2015, the population had declined to 620. In February 2017, residents voted to dismantle their town government and revoke its charter.
However, today Hastings is a community on the rise. In 2024, along with Historic Eastside’s Florida Avenue Main Street, Downtown Hastings became an official Florida Main Street Program. Initiated by the National Main Street Center, Main Street provides resources and a structured approach to help communities renew and revitalize their downtown districts and traditional “main street” commercial corridors.
The vision of Hastings Main Street is to create a vibrant and vital downtown Hastings by activating vacant and underutilized spaces to support local businesses, maintain historic rural character, and create a “welcoming” environment for all residents and visitors. The before and after photographs captured below visually illustrate the dramatic implementation of Hastings Main Street’s vision.
Before: 316, 312 & 308 North Main Street in 2015
From left to right: 316 North Main Street is a 10,293-square-foot, two-story building that was erected in 1920. In 1938, 312 North Main Street was built. 308 North Main Street was completed in 1950. In 2015, all three buildings contained vacant storefronts.
After: 316, 312 & 308 North Main Street
Acquired in 2021, all three buildings were recently renovated. Today, they are home to a number of new locally owned businesses.
Established in 2024, 312 North Main Street is now occupied by Hastings Nutrition on Main Street is a veterans-owned smoothie and juice bar specializing in healthy energy teas, protein shakes, refreshers and yummy boba.
308-B North Main Street is the current home of ChocoLattes. Owned and operated by Brooke Williams and Sarah Boger, this woman owned bakery offers desserts, coffee and more.
Established in 2025, 308-A North Main Street is now leased to the Hastings Coffee Company. Where southern hospitality meets espresso, the Black-owned coffee shop opened its doors in Hastings in May 2024.