Table of Contents:
DeLAND
ENTERPRISE
DeLAND DAY TRIPS
Like many towns in the central area of Florida, DeLand has several fresh water springs and the St John’s River for recreation. These waterways are also the reason this area was developed.
The St. John River and native footpaths were the only ways to travel into central Florida until the railroads arrived in the late 1800s.
A landmark of sunshine and citrus, it would eventually lose that title.
But even without its orange industry, DeLand became a place to see.
SEE DeLAND
Stetson Mansion
Dating to 1886, the Stetson Mansion (winter cottage) is the only remaining Gilded Age mansion in Florida built before 1900. The house, a 10,000-square-foot, three-story Victorian-style jewelbox, features 10 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and early Edison electricity. Tours are available year-round, but are extra special at Christmas. Click the orange link for more information.
Kilkoff House
On West New York Avenue, this historic house is one of DeLand’s earliest buildings. A good example of vernacular construction, it has been modified since its 1878 construction but retains much of its original charm. The house is still a private residence, so look, but do not trespass.
1918 Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Station.
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad built the Craftsman-style station on the west side of Deland for its new rail service. The station was fully restored in the mid-2000s and still greets railroad passengers to this day. Amtrak has one northbound to New York and one southbound to Miami that make stops here daily. The commuter train SunRail from Orlando has more than 20 arrivals and departures on weekdays and fewer on weekends. Staff are on hand around the Amtrak schedules.
Old DeLand Memorial Hospital
This modern hospital (100 years ago) is interesting in its own right. Inside is equipment and even an operating room from that time. What really makes it a must-visit site is that today it houses the Veterans Museum, which contains many artifacts from the building’s and Volusia County’s history. Adjacent, and part of the museum complex, is the Burgess Pavilion, the first hospital for Black citizens in West Volusia County. The West Volusia Historical Society operates the museum. Click on their link to see some of the many interesting tours and activities they offer.
St Barnabas Episcopal Church
Offering its first service in 1884, this structure at 319 W Wisconsin Ave is the oldest operating church building in DeLand. 140+ years later, it is still serving the community.
Stetson University
In 1883, in a lecture room of the First Baptist Church, Henry A. DeLand and Dr. John H. Griffith founded the DeLand Academy. In less than 20 years, it would grow into Stetson University.
Deland Hall
Dating to 1884, the structure was the academy’s first building and is today the oldest building in Florida in continuous use for higher education. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, it once housed classrooms, administrative offices, and a women’s dormitory.
Elizabeth Hall
In 1882, with funding from John Stetson, they named it after his wife, Elizabeth. The Colonial Revival structure is a nod to Independence Hall in Stetson’s other home, Philadelphia.
Flagler Hall
Originally called Science Hall, this 1902 historic three-story Mediterranean-style building was funded by railroad magnate Henry Flagler. It began as the engineering department building and Florida’s first law school.
The President’s House
This Neoclassical beauty,, dating to 1910,, was the home of local businessman W.A. Steed. The university purchased it in 1948 for the President’s House.
DeLand House Museum
Located a short drive from campus at 137 W. Michigan Ave, The DeLand House Museum is a 1.5-story Frame Vernacular house built in 1886. Despite the name, Deland did not live here; he sold the land on which it sits to George W. Hamlin (his attorney), who built this house. The West Volusia Historical Society will purchase it in 1988.
DOWNTOWN DELAND
Dreka Department Building
George Dreka was the brother-in-law of John Kilkoff, who owned a store in Deland. They joined forces and bought out the competition, James Jordan Mercantile. They invited Volusia County to come for a free lunch and see their new store’s grand opening. Needless to say, it was wildly successful. By 1885, they had expanded and added a hotel upstairs.
Although their wooden structure survived the 1886 downtown fire, by 1909 Dreka had built a modern, fireproof structure on the site. In 1938, J. C. Penney moved in and remained until 1977. Renovated again in 2011, it is now home to several retail outlets.
Landis-Fish Law Building
On W Indiana Ave, this structure began as a one-story Romanesque-style brick building in 1902. It wasn’t until 1925 that they added another floor and the Federal-style architecture. It was a law firm until 1985. Today, it is home to executive suites.
Volusia County Historic Courthouse
The building you see today is the third structure on the site and dates from the 1920s. Deland became the county seat of Volusia County in 1888 when Henry DeLand offered to donate land for a courthouse, and he, John Stetson, and Mayor Fred Goodrich agreed to pay for the building. Voters are offered a courthouse that would cost them nothing. Guess how they voted?
The Courthouse moved to newer facilities in 2001. Today, the building is home to county offices and public cultural uses. Visitors can access the main lobby, rotunda, and public art displays.
The Miller-Fish Building
Charles Miller operated a thriving feed and grain business beginning in 1876. There was a stable behind the building, and a buggy & carriage shop. He expanded into freight handling and was the local agent for Clyde’s St. Johns River Line. His wooden structure held up well until the 1886 fire.
His masonry structure opened the following year on the same spot. In 1925, local attorney Bert Fish bought the building. He rented it to various retail companies, including its longest tenant, Woolworths. They would remain at this location until 1997. The building was the location of the 1960 sit-in. Today, it is the Deland Museum of Art. Click the orange link above for more information on the museum.
Athens Theatre
Opening in 1922, it originally showed movies between live acts. By the 1940s, it was only showing movies, and by the 1990s, it closed due to the Cineplex at the malls.
In 1994, the Mainstreet Deland Association secured financing for a restoration. It would not be until 2009 that performances once again took place on the stage of the Athens theater. Today, it hosts many tribute bands and local theater.
Artisan Alley
Today, more of a neighborhood than just an alley, it has become part of the downtown’s vibrant social life. Between 1920s-era masonry buildings, the alley and adjoining W. George are now home to boutiques, galleries, breweries, and more. On Friday nights (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.), it hosts a weekly market featuring local produce and arts and crafts vendors.
See Enterprise.
South of DeLand, most people traveled by steamship to Enterprise before heading “inland” to DeLand.
All Saints Episcopal Church
This 1883 Carpenter-Gothic church is at 155 Clark Street. It is still in operation with services on Sunday mornings. (Click the orange link for more information.)
Green Springs Park
Circling the Green Spring, once a calling card for Enterprise, this charming park features several nods to the past. Look for markers to the clam hound (midden), Taylor, and De Bary as well. Swimming is no longer allowed.
The Enterprise Museum.
Located in the original 1936 Enterprise Elementary School building, the building, along with its collection, offers a great look into Old Enterprise. It really is the best place to start, as so little of old Enterprise remains. The price is free, but please leave a donation.
Gemini Springs Park
Day Trips from DeLAND
North of DeLand
DeLand Naval Air Station Museum
On the grounds of what was once a United States Naval Air Station from 1942 to 1946, this small museum is adjacent to the Deland municipal airport. Did you ever go through a grandfather’s desk and find things you didn’t even know you had an interest in? That’s what this is like. Wow, what I didn’t know about Florida and World War II. Tours are available. Click on the orange link for more information.
De León Springs State Park
20 minutes north of DeLand is this great State Park. Thousands of years of history, nature paths for exploring, a fresh spring you can swim in, and even the chance to make your own pancakes (if you get there early enough). The visitor center has things little hands can touch. There is a 500-year-old Cypress Tree and airboat rides. The “Old Mill” you see today was reconstructed in the early 1900s. However, at one time, part of the park’s area was home to a cotton plantation that also grew sugar cane.
Barberville Pioneer Settlement.
A 10-minute drive north of De Leon Springs State Park is this historical site. Beginning as little more than a school building dating back to 1919, a group of volunteers saw a great way to preserve some of Florida’s past. They restore the school and, over the years, move other historic buildings from the area to the “settlement.” These include a post office from 1885, a church from 1890, and a cabin from 1880. In addition to the 12 historical structures, workshops offer opportunities to learn about various trades from the early 1900s, including printing, wheel-making, woodworking, blacksmithing, and more.
See East of DeLand
Lake Helen Florida
Any conversation about Deland probably needs to include Lake Helen, which Henry Deland created. With the success of his hotel in Deland, there was a demand for more places to winter.
He began buying land and developing it as a quiet, scenic destination featuring his upscale hotel, the Harlan House, named after his son. It opened in 1884 on the shores of Lake Helen, named after his only surviving daughter.
A spur line off the Atlantic & Western Railway brought passenger train service to Lake Helen in 1887. Within a year, Deland incorporated Lake Helen. The same year, he opened the Granville Hotel.
With the citrus, tourism, and local sawmill and brick company booming, Lake Helen flourished.
Some northerners began building winter homes, and others year-round homes along Euclid Ave. A surprising number of these pine wood homes survive.
Then the 1894-1895 freeze destroyed most of the citrus trees, and many residents left. The sawmill and the hotels continued, but Lake Helen stalled in growth and popularity. She carried on until the 1920s, until she received a one-two punch.
The wooden Harlan Hotel caught fire in 1922. There was not enough interest in the area to rebuild. Then the Florida building boom went bust. Lumber and bricks were no longer in demand. By the end of the 1920s, the mills and factories were closed. And then the entire nation began the depression.
Today, there is nothing left of Henry Deland’s stamp on the area. However, less than a 20-minute drive from downtown Deland, Lake Helen is still worth a look.
Lake Helen Historic District
Stretching nine blocks between West New York, at the north, Park Avenue on the South, Euclid on the west, and Lakeview on the east, it has more than 70 historical structures.
Hopkins Hall
Sitting on N Euclid Avenue, just south of W New York Ave, is this structure, which makes it a great place to start. Dating from 1897, Willard and Betsy Hopkins would build it for use as a community center and library. This is one of the oldest non-residential structures remaining from Lake Helen’s golden era. The library would later move to a new structure across the street. Today, it serves as an event space.
Euclid Avenue
Both North and South Euclid act as a pearl necklace along the west side of the historic district. At least 10 structures date from before 1900. Please remember these are all private residences.
Lake Helen City Hall
located at 327 S. Lakeview Dr., is a historic building constructed in 1913 that originally served as the Minerva Bond Long-Lake Helen Elementary School until 1996. It later became the center of city administration and currently houses the Lake Helen Museum.
1895 Ann Stevens House B&B
If you need to see the inside of a house from the 1800s, you can book a night at this B&B just south of town.
Lake Helen Christmas Home Tour and Architectural Tour
Another fun way to see the inside of a few historical homes is during this annual December weekend event. Click the orange link for more details.
See South of DeLand
Orange City
The Wisconsin Project, which John Deland would visit during his first trip to Persimmon Hollow, began in 1875. Settlers from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, would plant thousands of acres of citrus groves, giving the city its name. The project was a success, and the town was incorporated in 1882.
Like the rest of Central Florida, it will be hit hard by the 1895 big freeze. However, the town manages to survive.
Like much of central Florida, it was unable to preserve many of its early wooden structures. However, some survive.
Orange City Historic District
A one-square-mile district that happens to be the same area incorporated in 1882. You can find a walking tour map on the orange link.
Orange City Town Hall
A great place to start a tour of the historic district is the Town Hall. This Neo-Classical Revival structure dates from 1928. Today, it is still used as the city’s administrative office.
1876 Heritage Inn
The DeYarman family built the hotel in 1876. They start with a cottage to house workers of a local sawmill; in turn, these men would help build the hotel. The cottage eventually became the hotel’s kitchen. The family would expand it to its current size in the early 1900s.
It closed during the Depression and would be used for everything from a Methodist camp to a nursing home until new building codes banned wooden-frame structures for nursing homes. In 2026, it was operating as an extended stay hotel. Inside the lobby is the Florida Postal Museum, a great little museum started by a retired Postmaster from Deland.
Blue Spring State Park
Just west of Orange City, on the St John River, is this state park for swimming, kayaking, hiking, and other outdoor activities. However, its biggest claim to fame is the up-close viewing of manatees from the numerous overlooks. When the St. John River water temperature drops below 72°F, the manatees come into the springs to warm up. The spring’s water is a constant 72°F. In the winter months, it can be bumper-to-bumper with manatees.
Thursby House
Inside the Blue Spring State Park is where Louis Thursby built his home in 1857. The house standing today dates from 1872, making it the oldest residence in Orange City. The house sits on a shell mound (Midden) and today serves as a museum and interpretive center.
See DeLand Summary.
As you can see, DeLand is a lot more than just a college and some oranges.
Certainly come for the beautiful campus and numerous parks. They are great.
But save some time to see the rest of the Deland area. It offers a great look into Central Florida’s history.