Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller, Marylee Dunphy
Date: May 15, 2026
This mansion is famous for once being the winter residence of oil magnet John D. Rockefeller. It overlooks the Halifax River and was renovated and is now owned by the city of Ormand Beach as a cultural center and park. Built in 1913, Rockefeller began living in it in 1918 until his death in 1937 at age 97. He played golf at a nearby course and threw elaborate Christmas parties. He also became known for handing out dimes to visitors and neighbors. Long after Rockefellers death, the mansion slipped into disrepair, it was purchased and renovated. Today, it is luxurious and each room has antiques, memorabilia and even a room with the very early Ormand Beach motor race photos and artifacts.
Several urban legends are associated with the mansion. There is a belief that there is an underground tunnel connecting the Casements to the old Ormond Hotel across the street. Officials say that the water table is too high to support a secret tunnel. I also found online suggestions of ghostly apparitions on the upper floors of the mansion although no documentation is furnished. During a tour of the house, I asked three employees/volunteers if there are any urban legends or ghost stories associated with the house. They immediately said no. I could not find any evidence to support the haunted claims at this time.
