Deland Real Estate
Welcome to Deland, Florida and the immediate surrounding area. The Four-town area consists of Deland, Deltona, Debary, and Orange City. Deland has been the county seat of Volusia since 1888 and is located 20 minutes west of Daytona Beach, and 30 minutes north of Orlando. Deland lies on the I-4 corridor linking Daytona, Orlando, and Tampa and is convenient to the whole state.
In the early 1800's, Mr. Henry Addison from New York visited and fell in love with the area. He decided to develop the area, then known as Persimmon Hollow, setting it on to a path to prosperity.
Henry Deland, a baking soda mogul from New York, arrived and decided to settle here. Mr. Deland's presence really solidified the town's success. He was a generous man, donating money to individuals that wanted to construct and start churches and schools. In 1882 the city was incorporated and the people voted to re-name the city Deland after their benefactor. Mr. Deland believed in cultural and educational opportunities, so, in 1886 he talked to John B. Stetson, the Stetson Hats millionaire, into helping him start a school. One of the most successful endeavors was the Deland Academy with John B. Stetson, which is now Stetson University.
In World War II, the local airport was used as a training site for U.S. Navy bombers, and now serves as a world class skydiving school. Deland has the title of Skydiving Capital of the World.
In 2000 the downtown area of Deland was refurbished with cobblestone effects on the streets and numberous shops with local artisans, antique shops and great restaurants. The downtown area is listed in the National Register Historic Places and is a vibrant place to live and play.
Deland has great outdoor recreational opportunities. We are surrounded by water, whether you want boating and fishing in the St. John's river and numerous lakes, scuba diving and swimming in the springs, located in the two state parks right here in the area, or a day at the beach only 20 minutes away at Daytona or New Smyrna Beach. Deland has it all.
The town of Debary is named after Samuel Frederick Debary, which had a winter home here in 1871. Debary really is the welcoming center for Volusia County, as you travel north from Orlando. Debary was incorporated in 1993, and is a natural for people wanting to live in a smaller town, yet commute to the Lake Mary/Orlando area to work. It is situated on the West side of I-4 and is boardered by the St. John's river. Debary has its own elementary school.
Deltona was founded in 1963 by the Miami-based Mackle brothers and they purchased 17,000 acres in 1962 and envisioned it as a retirement community. They originally built smaller, low cost homes, but as people realized how convenient it was to Orlando, families begin to move in. The builders began to accomodate all sizes of families and income, and it was incorporated in 1995 and boasts a population of over 85,000 people. Deltona has 19 city parks, a highly visible Arts and Historic Center and provides free concerts in the City Hall courtyard starting in April. The town has several elementary, three middle and two high schools and lies just to the east of I-4 and north of Lake Monroe.
Orange City is a central point in the four town area and is bordered by I-4 on the East, Debary on the south, the St. Johns river on the west and Deland to the north. Orange City is a well governed town and is very business oriented and has added vital businesses to the area, along with a great health care service. Orange City is the home to Blue Springs State Park, where the annual Manatee Festival is held the end of January/first of February. You can check the dates at .www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/. Blue Springs was the original debarkation point of Henry Deland and John B. Stetson as they arrived via steamship on the St. John's River and fell in love with the beautiful oaks, clear water of the springs and mild climate.
Come and discover reminders of the "old Florida" with swaying palms among the huge oaks that meet the fast pace of modern life, water sports, and fun in the sun!