misc
photos
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110-120
West New York Avenue - This group of buildings was constructed in
1918 and owned by E. R. Conrad. He shared this building with the Nahm
Brothers until they moved to a different building. Conrad operated an
insurance agency and real estate office from this location. Like other
buildings in the area, the structure has a basic masonry vernacular
style. Parapets surround the tops of the buildings and there is brick
ornamentation. The windows lend somewhat of a recessed storefront look
to the area even though the masonry vernacular is the stronger of the
two. 138 West New York Avenue - This was the location of the Nahm
Brothers Dodge Plymouth dealership. |
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138
West New York Avenue |
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144-148
West New York Avenue - This was the original home of Champs
Shoes, now located on Woodland Boulevard. |
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120
South Florida Ave. - The City's government center was built in
1921. Originally the basement housed the police department; the north
end was City Hall and the south end was the fire station. The firemen
lived on the second floor. |
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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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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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