Natural, Historical & Cultural Heritage
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For more info:
Renee Tallevast, West Volusia Tourism Bureau
386.734.0162 rtallevast@visitwestvolusia.com
DeLand/Deltona - Greater West Volusia County Region
Natural, Historical & Cultural Heritage
Nestled along the St. Johns River in Florida's lush interior, 15 diverse communities make up the DeLand/Deltona - Greater West Volusia County Region. Each with its own unique history, these communities are woven together by one common, watery thread - the mighty St. Johns River. The arts, architecture, heritage sites, and cultural and natural attractions form a mesmerizing showcase of small town Florida, outdoor adventure and historic treasures.
The St. Johns River is Florida's longest river and one of only three in the United States that flows south to north. Named an American Heritage River by President Clinton in 1997 and known as "Florida's First Highway," the St. Johns has been a vital part of the state's transportation system since the late 1800s. Today the river and its surrounding ecosystem feed the interests of countless visitors in search of outdoor adventure, natural beauty and true southern heritage.
Like many parts of Florida first populated by Native American Indians, West Volusia was once home to the Mayaca tribe. The birth of the steamboat in the early 1800s and the expansion of the railroad afterwards brought a new wave of residents to the area. Throughout the 15 towns and cities that make up the region, visitors can discover traces of these original inhabitants through historical and archaeological sites, artifacts, plantation homes and sugar mill ruins. Free-standing sites, homes and museums offer a glimpse into the history and culture of the people and events that shaped the area.
Early pioneer heritage is celebrated at the Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts, a living history museum in Barberville, a small town established in 1763 as a trading post on the east side of the St. Johns River. The first weekend in November, the Settlement hosts its annual Fall Country Jamboree, featuring demonstrations of pioneer arts and crafts, historical displays, dance, music, food and storytelling amid a collection of historic structures rescued from destruction in nearby towns.
Established in 1894 and designated a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp is the oldest active religious community in the southeast United States. The historic district dates from 1895 to 1938, including mostly Frame Vernacular residences and Queen Anne-style cottages with original tin roofs and a few commercial and religious buildings. Visitors are welcome to attend services, take spirited walking tours and set appointments for readings and healings with resident mediums.
After the Civil War, steamboats traveled up the St. Johns to resort towns such as Enterpriseand DeBary. The 1871 DeBary Hall, a 20-room Italianate-style hunting lodge built for Frederick deBary, captures the style of this era. The restored estate now tells its story through period rooms and interpretive exhibits. In 2005, a new high-tech theater opened that features a simulated riverboat journey that further enhances the river's story with historical and environmental context. The theater is housed in an adjoining visitor center also featuring a gift shop and meeting space. The existing historic barn has been converted into a dining and meeting hall providing seating for 150 persons. DeBary Hall Historic Site also serves as a trailhead for the Spring-to-Spring multi-use trail system.
The city of DeLand is home to a wide variety of historic sites and districts for visitors to explore. A great place to start is the 1886 DeLand House Museum, just a short walk from the historic campus of Stetson University, established in 1883 and Florida's oldest private educational facility. The African-American Museum of Art and the DeLand Memorial Hospital Museum, which was a working hospital from 1920 to 1948, are also popular stops for history buffs. Main Street DeLand, a revitalized, national award-winning downtown district, offers many unique shops, sidewalk cafes and restaurants, art galleries and the city's two main landmarks: the 1928 Volusia County Courthouse, with its marble rotunda, art glass dome and murals, and the newly restored 1921 Italian Renaissance-style Athens Theatre. Rounding out the eclectic collection of historic attractions is the Cattlemen's Arena, where visitors enjoy Cracker Day every April, a celebration of the area's Florida cowboy heritage; and the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum, which serves as a tribute to all military wars and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum houses a MASH helicopter from the Korean War and a WWI collection of photos and documents. For some history outdoors, visitors will find that early Native-American tribes left clues about their past in the form of burial mounds and ceremonial objects. Hontoon Island State Park, a 1,650-acre expanse near DeLand, still protects Mayaca Indian mounds which can be seen along the park's nature trail.
The neighboring community of DeLeon Springs, named for Ponce DeLeon, the famous explorer who discovered Florida in 1513, is home to two major attractions. In the 1820's, wealthy Americans established plantations along the St. Johns River to grow cotton, sugar and indigo. They also traded with the Seminole Indians, but in 1835 hostilities broke out and the Seminoles burned 16 plantations, putting an end to the sugar plantation era. Remains of an early sugar mill can be seen at DeLeon Springs State Park, along with arrowheads and other objects that are preserved in the park's museum area. Spring Garden Ranch, a training center for pacers and trotters, welcomes visitors year-round to experience the excitement of standard bred horseracing. Owners from all over the world bring their award-winning horses to train in Florida's temperate climate each year. The ranch is the largest horse training facility in the U.S. and second largest in the world, second only to one in Paris, France established by Napoleon Bonaparte.
The city of Deltona, the county's largest community, is known for its diverse culture and the Deltona Arts & Historical Center. Established in 1999, the center pays tribute to the area's rich history through art exhibitions, performing arts and cultural events throughout the year.
The small city of Lake Helen, established by Henry A. DeLand in 1883 and named in honor of his daughter, Helen Parce DeLand, is a National Register Historic District with more than 70 structures from the period of 1885-1940. Splendid homes, many in Revival styles, line narrow streets and lend Lake Helen a special southern charm.
Between DeLand and DeBary is Orange City, home to the United States Postal Museum, one of only three museums of its kind in the United States. Visitors will find displays of more than 440 artifacts relating to the history of the postal service.
In Pierson, better known as the "Fern Capital of the World," and throughout St. Johns River Country, residents and visitors enjoy heritage festivals on Mexican Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo in celebration of the area's Hispanic cultural influences.
Together the 15 unique communities of West Volusia form a colorful and illuminating picture of Florida's past. They include Barberville, Cassadaga, DeBary, DeLand, DeLeon Springs, Deltona, Glenwood, Enterprise, Lake Helen, Orange City, Osteen, Pierson, Samsula, Seville and Volusia. For more information on the West Volusia region, contact (386) 734-0162, toll-free (800) 749-4350 or go to visitwestvolusia.com.
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