100 East New York - By the way, did you bring a blanket with you'? This building was originally constructed from pine, as was the rest of the town. During the great fire wet blankets were hung from the porches to keep the flames at bay. Later, when residents came to shop; they were never left in need of any item. Dreka's was a one-stop department store complete with groceries, crock- ery, feed, grain, clothing and furniture. River Life, a mural under the waterfall at 100 East New York Avenue, actually located on Woodland Boulevard. The one you're looking at was completed in 1909 at a cost of $50,000. It was G. A. Dreka's second store.

Designed by L. M. Wethers from Tennessee, the construction was supervised by the Turner Company of New York, it was the first reinforced concrete building constructed in the city. Three stories high, the building features Mission Revival ornamentation. The flat roof is surrounded by a parapet, which includes a mission arch with an exterior finish in smooth stucco.

109 East New York Avenue - Constructed in 1909 and advertised as J.F. Allen Company, Furniture and Funerals' this was the new home of Gus Allen's funeral parlor. This doesn't mark the end of your tour, but this address was the last stop for its clients. An offshoot of Allen's furniture business, the facility consisted of a small chapel, slumber room, embalming room, office, display room and warehouse. The company operated from this location until 1937. Constructed from brick and supported by pilasters, many a horse would have nudged passersby as he waited to pull the wagon hearse.

Currently occupied by:
Boston Gormet Coffeehouse
DeLand, FL 32724
www.bostongourmet.com

111 East New York Avenue - The second location of Pick & Pay Grocery, customers could walk the aisles and choose their needed items. Built in l 897, the building has storefront features like large display windows and a formal entry. Detailing was minimal, frequently limited to decorative brick or stonework incorporated into the structural configuration of the building. Vertical pilasters or supports often flanked the shop windows, creating a frame for display of retail merchandise. The entryway was usually recessed to avoid competition with the display area. A common configuration was a central entrance with sloping windows on each side of the entrance. Metal or wood canopies and canvas awnings were used over commercial storefronts. They served as an advertising medium with signs placed on them, provided shelter, and extended the store's display surface.

Currently occupied by:
Christian Science Reading Room
DeLand, FL 32724

112 East New York Ave.

Currently occupied by:
Orange Belt Pharmacy
DeLand, FL 32724

115 East New York Avenue - Giddy yap horses! That would have been the cry heard from Craner Livery Stables who occupied this space. Built in 1897 it also features a low parapet. Known for some of the best-matched horse teams in the area, John Craner rented horses to the local funeral home to pull wooden hearses. If you look in the cracks on the walkway, you just might be able to trace the wagon wheel tracks!
The building has been altered since its initial construction but still features large display windows and a formal entry.

Currently occupied by:
Pizza Hut
DeLand, FL 32724
www.pizzahut.com

127A East New York Ave.

Currently occupied by:
Jon Ricks
DeLand, FL 32724

127B East New York Ave.

Currently occupied by:
Quilt Shop of Deland
DeLand, FL 32724