misc
photos
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214
West New York Ave. - The American Legion was built in the 1930's.
It still houses the post. |
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The
Athens Theatre was designed by prominent Orlando architect Murry
S. King. It first opened its doors in January 1922. Originally a vaudeville
house it featured live stage shows by touring performers. After it fell
into disrepair, the citizens of DeLand, organized by the MainStreet DeLand
Association, leads restoration efforts. |
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Volusia
County Court House - In 1888, Volusia County voted to move the
County Seat to the City of DeLand. The first courthouse was replaced by
this building in 1929. Three thousand people attended the dedication.
The 60,000 square foot structure with its Corinthian columns of Georgian
pink marble is covered by a copper dome. |
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116
West Indiana Avenue - Former Courthouse Pharmacy |
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112
West Indiana Avenue - Former title insurance company. |
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110
West Indiana Avenue - The first story of this build- ing was built
in 1905. Nineteen years later a second story was added. The origi- nal
deed was recorded in 1902 by the law partnership of Cary D. Landis and
Bert Fish. Though difficult to confirm, it is believed that the partnership,
still in existence, is the oldest law firm in the state of Florida.
The building is constructed in the Federal style and has as its main facade
a Ro- manesque entrance on the first story, which is straddled by two
windows that repeat the decorative motif and fan- light found in the entry.
Over the windows is an eagle motif. The dentiled cornice, whose lines
are interrupted over the central portion of the building by a short gable
pitch, runs across the front facade.
Cross the street here and stand just a moment. You don't have hours to
gossip or shoot the breeze, but this cor- ner was known as the hitch-
ing place for horses and men to stand and chat. Affectionately referred
to as the Buzzard's Roost, many a gentleman had to hear it from his wife
if he stayed at the roost too long. |
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 103
West Indiana Avenue - Built in 1892 as the home of Lancaster Drug
Store and Post Office, patrons could get medicine and mail a letter. Dr.
Lancaster was a native of Kentucky and for many years followed his profession
with great success. The first post office in the city of DeLand was located
here. The building also has Federal influences. In the 1930s, this was
also the home of a local theater. Rumor has it that folks came more to
see the projectionist than the movie itself. Known to be tipsy during
the movie, the reel broke, played back- wards, and started again. Later"
the pressed ceiling was remodeled and bottles fell from what seemed like
the heavens. Seems that with the supply found, the projectionist never
went to a "dry" movie in his life! |
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109-111
West Indiana Avenue - This is the oldest commercial building in
the down- town district. Constructed in 1875, it survived the 1886 fire
with minor damage. The building's flat roof offers a decorative corbelled
frieze along the south parapet. Segmental brick arches with keystones
cap the second story windows. A simple two-bay, two- story porch supported
by posts extends from the front of the building to the street, offering
protection for customers and merchandise. 105 West Indiana Avenue 1n 1907
V. Ward Gould and his brother Harold, opened a real estate and insurance
office here. Gould was known for the purchase of his single cylinder Cadillac,
which was the first to be used for business purposes in DeLand. This contraption
and novelty of riding in a car drew many prospective clients to Gould
"s business. Stories are even told that he was able to draw business
on the basis of the car alone! |
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105
West Indiana Avenue - Built in 1925, this was the former home
of the oldest gift shop in the state of Florida, Ever hear that curiosity
killed the cat? Owners Edith Reeve and Grace Howard didn't think so. Dubbed
"The Old Curiosity Shop" by the town, it was established upon
their graduation from Stetson University. The business was moved here
from Woodland Boulevard. |
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 DeLand
Pioneers at Pioneer Park, corner of North Woodland Boulevard and Rich
Avenue |
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129
North Woodland - Victor Fountain paid $10,000 to J.T. Cairns,
an early DeLand settler and builder, to construct this commercial building
with classical influences. Fountain ran advertisements that encouraged
customers to come to his store and see the newest ideas in fall and winter
woolens.
Built in 1908, the building has a recessed store-front entry and plate
glass display windows. The building has a flat roof, which displays a
decorative cornice along the front of the building. |
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131-133
North Woodland - The original occupants were unknown for this
location. However, in 1925, the DeLand Piano & Music Company resided
here.
The building features simple masonry vernacular style. It also has a storefront
motif, which consists of large display window and awnings. The exterior
ornamentation consists of a simple cornice that runs along the top of
the building. |
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135-137
North Woodland - Patrons could shop Watts Hardware when this building
was constructed in 1915. Customers could purchase hardware or get their
watches and jewelry fixed. An invitation was extended to all customers
that "glasses and speck frames adjusted free" with a guarantee.
A common storefront theme continues along this address. Notice the large
windows and awnings that decorate the front of the building. Also, basic
masonry vernacular features including brick and stucco. |
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139
North Woodland - This is the former site of the Princess Theatre.
Owned by Howard Stewart and Tom Hays, it was built in 1921. Forget the
overpriced blockbusters you're familiar with today. When admission saw
an increase from a dime to twenty cents, there was reported to be a murmur
in the crowd. |
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 141
- 143 North Woodland - Built in 1906 and home of an unidentified
auto garage, the building is constructed in simple masonry vernacular
style. It also has a store- front motif, which consists of a large display
window and awnings. The exterior ornamentation consists of a simple cornice
that runs along the top of the building. |
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145
North Woodland - Also built in 1906" this is the former
home of Marshe's Meat Market.
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201
North Woodland - Constructed in the masonry vernacular style in
1920, the building exhibits similar design and use of materials as others
in the area. The building's construction was sponsored by the Florida
Public Services, which was the place to pay your bills.
The buildings in this block are referred to as the Codrington Block. The
Codrington family, pioneer newspaper publishers in the town, owned the
block of buildings and leased portions of it to various tenants. It was
reported that some 3,000 bricks were bought from the Bond Sandstone Brick
Company of Lake Helen to construct the building. |
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 200
- 204 North Woodland - This address was constructed as a one and
one-half story building in 1892. The downstairs was the home of Codrington
News. When the building was raised another story in 1897, the DeLand Opera
House occupied the upstairs. If you had been here in April 1892, the cast
of Fantine would have entertained you with its theatrical antics. 204
N. Woodland - No need to worry about running out of money here. In
1910 you could have strolled downtown DeLand and stopped at the neighborhood
''Five and Dime.' '202 N. Woodland - Built in 1910 and occupied
by Bauman's Feed Store, it was "The Farmer's Supply Store. Advertisers
made sure that customers knew the shelves were stocked with feed, grain,
hay, flour, fertilizer and insecticides. Just phone 245 and the Bauman
brothers were at your service. |
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206-208
North Woodland - Constructed in 1922 and occupied by Cruse's Bicycle
Shop. Carl T. Cruse used the building for his sales and repair business.
Known for Pierce and Yale brand bikes and later Indian motorcycles, Cruse
organized a service of young boys to deliver packages to customers on
his bikes. Masonry vernacular in style, the structure is one story in
height and is designed as a retail storefront on the first floor. |
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210
- 220 North Woodland - A configuration was a central entrance
with sloping windows on each side of the entrance. Metal or wood canopies
and can- vas awnings were used over commer cial store- fronts. They served
as an advertising medium with signs placed on them, provided shelter,
and extended the store's display surface. |
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 247
North Woodland - Known as the DeLand Landing mural, this painting
depicts the early methods of mass transportation in Central Florida. The
St. Johns River brought settlers, their families and tourists on steamboats.
They were met at the dock by horse-drawn wagons that brought them into
town. |
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The
original owners of the next six buildings were not available from city
directories or recollections of those consulted for this tour; however,
the 1925 directory of stores in the city list the following establishments.
All six of the buildings are also constructed in the masonry vernacular
style and were built in 1897. |
148
North Woodland |
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146
North Woodland |
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140
North Woodland - Sanitary Cafe |
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136
- 138 North Woodland
- Ceelely's Smart Shop (women's apparel) |
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132
North Woodland - The Sugar Bowl |
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130
North Woodland - Barsony Pressing Club and Tailoring |
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126-128
N Woodland - Roswell Bushnell financed the cost of a building in 1893.
This address is the fruit of his efforts. Bushnell was a local grocer
who maintained a grocery store to the north of this building.
Above the awning, the building also has an ongoing cornice interspersed
with halt pilasters |
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132-136
North Woodland |
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120
North Woodland - After chatting a spell, the menfolk could make
deposits, check on accounts or send their wives to do the same. The Volusia
County Bank k Trust Company served its customers from this location when
it was built in 1909.
The building is a testament to the Greek Revival style of architecture,
which was popular at the turn of the century. Notable features include
a full-length portico, displaying an overhanging pediment supported by
Ionic columns and Tuscan pilasters. The side facade offers a dropped cornice
that protects the structure with wide eaves and hooded windows on the
second story. |
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118
North Woodland - The Lane Realty k Insurance Company was located
here after the building's construction in 1909. Customers could find a
house and insure it all in the same day.
The actual structure boasts the recessed storefront, which was a common
configuration. Noteworthy is a central entrance with sloping windows on
each side. Above the awning, the building also has an ongoing cornice
interspersed with half pilasters. |
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116
North Woodland - Built in 1887 as Ford's Clothing Store, customers
could shop for the latest in clothing and then wander upstairs for a serious
game of billiards in Jim Butts Pool Hall. In the back room was the High
Stakes poker game. Players used to station a young man in the pool hall
shooting pool and if the local lawman arrived he would bang his pool cue
on the floor and the poker players would run.
The two-story building is constructed with storefront architectural tones
of the mid-nineteenth century. It features a large display window and
a formal entry. |
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 112-116
North Woodland - This is the original home of the Reeve and Howard
Gift Shop. The store covered two storefronts and catered to the customer
that was in search of the perfect gift for a dear loved one or friend. |
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100
North Woodland - Constructed in 1887, this building was originally
Miller's Hardware. In addition to hard- ware, Miller's sold feed and seed.
Have a question about steamboats instead of feed and seed'? Miller operated
a steamboat office from the rear of the building.
The building was one of the first brick commercial buildings constructed
after the fire. It has a gabled roof. Charles Miller, an early DeLand
settler, financed it. He operated a dry goods store and served as
the Clyde Line Steamship Company's agent for decades. In 1925, Bert Fish,
attorney and politician, bought the building from Miller for $150,000. |
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108
North Woodland - If you didn't like the haircut the week before from
the other barber up the street, Clifton's Barber Shop was eager for your
new business. Built in 1897, the shop had many a patron drift off to sleep
while getting a shave or haircut. |
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106
North Woodland - The building was constructed in 1897 and later served
as the home of Jim Hughes Sporting Goods. No sports enthusiast would be
without horseshoes, clubs or rackets as long as Jim Hughes had anything
to do with it. |
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100
South Woodland Boulevard - An 1883 wooden structure here was replaced
in 1887 as a brick structure. Dr. G. W. Fisher owned one of the leading
drugstores of the day. The building has undcrgone some cos- metic changes
over the years, but the basic masonry vernacular style is still intact.
Notice the parapets at thc top of the building and the brick ornamentation. |
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108
South Woodland - J.F. Nahm and R.H. Nahm were the occupants of
this building constructed in 1909. The brothers bought stock in the original
Haynes and Nahm Compa- ny, which sold Wilys-Overland cars. When the winds
shifted and Dodge edged out the former, the business became Nahm and Nahm,
and sold Dodge Motor cars. |
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110
South Woodland - Constructed in 1887, this was the original site
of Dr. A.G. Munson's office. He lived upstairs and kept his office down-
stairs. All patients needed to do was dial 58 and Dr. Munson would come
to come to their aid.
The building is constructed in masonry vernacular and features the recessed
storefront. Patients probably appreciated this feature. They could be
sick and weary and not even have passersby notice that they were in the
office. Thank goodness for the awnings! |
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112
South Woodland - Constructed in 1887, the building was the home
of the Volusia Country Record Newspaper. It features a parapet and scaled
down brick pilasters on each side. This enhances the decorative brick
ornamentation that is so common in masonry vernacular architecture. |
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114
South Woodland - This building was built in 1909. It was the home
of Western Auto and catered to customers who were intent on keeping those
"new-fangled" cars that spooked the horses. |
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120
South Woodland - Constructed in 1924, the first floor of this
building was home to Halsey's Grocery Store. Upstairs patrons could visit
the Camel Brothers Cigar Factory. This building was part of one of the
largest commercial blocks constructed in DeLand during the early 1920s.
The building displays Prairie-style influences, defined by an elaborate
cornice, rectangular brick panels, and pilasters. |
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128
South Woodland - Constructed in 1921, Pick & Pay grocery would
relieve any fears of getting a bad apple. Customers strolled through the
store and picked their own produce and staples. The only caveat was that
they remember to pay on the way out. The building has Prairie style influences.
It has rectangular brick panels flanking the sides of the entry and a
curvilin-eared roof still based on a masonry vernacular parapet. |
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138
South Woodland - Smith Feed and Seed occupied this building when
it was constructed in 1909. Farming supplies, f'eed, and seed were available
for purchase. The building still maintains its masonry vernacular style
and the storefront motif with the large windows and awnings that decorate
the front. Also, the decorative brick provides ornamentation that might
otherwise leave the building plain. |
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142
South Woodland - This masonry vernacular structure was bui It
in 1892. The original occupants are unknown. However, in the 1920s it
was the home of the Masonic Lodge. The group lost the build- ing during
the Depression. In the late 1930s it was home to the Florida Motor Lines
Station. |
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The
First United Methodist Church, at the corner of Howry Avenue and
Woodland Boulevard, began as early as 1876. The first building was constructed
in l877 with the congregation being officially organized in 1880. The
''new'' building was con- structed in 1883. The stained glass window was
added in 1919. |
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215
S Woodland - Care to check in? Spend the night? Rise early and see
the town? This is the former home of the DeLand Hotel. Built in 1921,
the building has masonry vernacular features and Mediterranean Revival
ornamentation. Smooth plaster walls, semicircular arches and a tile roof,
characterize the building's style. |
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 Once
home to Conrad Realty Company, this building sits on a street once called
Short Street. Next door were the garages for the Nahm Brothers auto dealerships.
Just beyond these buildings was Gunthers Blacksmith Shop, much of which
has been relocated to the Pioneer Settlement in Barberville.
Georgia Avenue was part of what was once called Howry's Addition. Between
1882 and 1921 this property went through a number of changes. The current
building was completed in 1925. Originally it had three store fronts with
tenants paying rent of $125 per month for the store fronts and $50 a month
for the storage rooms in the rear. |
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101
N Woodland - Completed in 1924, the First National Bank was DeLand's
first skyscraper. it housed the bank until it declared bankruptcy in 1929.
Watch your step, but slow down, you might catch a glimpse of Clarence
Hayes footprints. As a local policeman, he was known to stand out front
and greet passersby while keeping an eye out for crime and disorderly
conduct.
Designed in the masonry vernacular, the building has classical revival
influences, including decorative columns and pilasters surrounding the
entryway. Now, look on the side of the building directly in front of you.
During the Depression era, an unknown man and his female companion had
their own sideshow of sorts. He would climb the building's side and disappear
somewhere near the top; thus earning the name ''Human Fly.'' While he
disappeared into the wall, to round out the show, his companion collected
change from the crowd. |
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 103
- 109 North Woodland |
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111
- 113 North Woodland - 111 - This is the former site of Doc Simmons
Liquor Store. Built in 1927, it promised to leave you in good spirits
or, as many as you could afford. This building is one and a half stories
and is constructed in the masonry vernacular style. 113 North Woodland
- Constructed in 1887, this was the site of Brill's Novelty Shop. It was
the forerunner of Five and Dime stores. Mr. T. Brill would stand outside
of his shop and greet customers who stopped to stare at the postcards
hanging in his shop window. Built in the masonry vernacular style, the
structure is one story in height and is designed as a retail storefront. |
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 115-117
North Woodland - If you strolled these same paths in 1887, you
were about to enter paradise. You might have felt the need to refresh
yourself for a stop under the awnings at this address. |
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119
- 121 North Woodland - And
to think, this is where it all started. The buildings in this group attempt
to claim that the firc started at their address. Unfortunately, only one
can claim the title. It goes to 119 N. Woodland Boulevard. The story is
told that someone dropped a cigarette on the saloon's sawdust floor. Left
smoldering into the wee hours of the morning, the butt caught, the sawdust
sparked, and the fire was on its way to destroying downtown DeLand.
After the fire, the site was the home of Bracey's Drug Store. Constructed
in 1892, the business provided competition for the other drugstores in
town. It displays masonry vernacular attributes such as the one and a
half story in height and stucco finish. The building was designed as a
retail storefront on the first floor and office or meeting spaces on the
second. The 121 N. Wood- land address has as its most notable features
an exterior facade of brick and a mission
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