DeLand, FL, is conveniently located about 30 minutes from Orlando, Daytona, and a beach. Aptly named (in the best tradition of capitalism) after Henry Addison DeLand, a baking soda millionaire from Fairport, New York (damn snowbirds!) who invested in developing the area — clearing out the land, laying out the streets, setting up the street lights, building schools, roads, and other capitalist things. He also made the settlers rename the “Persimmon Hollow” community into DeLand. The poor settlers, pressured by the weight of capital invested in the area, had no choice.
While at it, DeLand founded DeLand Academy, the first private college in Florida. It was later entrusted to John B. Stetson and subsequently renamed Stetson University. Yes, it was that very same Stetson that made ever-popular hats. Since then, various sports teams have been named Hatters. Yet another example of terrible, horrible, no-good millionaires twisting things to their whims.
In the 1870s, DeLand was the first city in Florida to have electricity. In 1900, it became home to the first Florida law school, thanks to the patronage of the same John B. Stetson (damn millionaires!)
DeLand is also the home of some very famous people, such as Arthur Jones (inventor of BowFlex), R. Buckminster Fuller (inventor of the geodesic dome and the author of the phrase “Spaceship Earth”), and Lena Paul.
The downtown area where I stayed this time is absolutely beautiful. The first thing that struck me was that there were TWO vinyl record stores less than a quarter mile apart. Despite this being late Saturday afternoon, both had quite a few shoppers.
Another one — out of all the possible fast food joints, downtown DeLand had Firehouse Subs. As a somewhat experienced traveler, I always keep track of various chains and food places, and I am consistently impressed by the quality of Firehouse Subs. So that was a good surprise.
One more interesting tidbit was that three or four different theatres were within 15 minutes of each other, including the Athens Theatre, a restored example of stucco Mediterranean Revival architecture.
DeLand is a very artistic town. Since 1992, the city has hosted the DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts, a two-day event held yearly in the historic downtown area — right where I was staying. I have to say, the art was impressive.
But it’s not just art and millionaires; the town also honors honest workers like shoe shiners.
The hotel where I stayed is right in the middle of this historic downtown. I can’t say I didn’t like the stay experience, from the metal keys—real keys—to the giant chandelier above an unused stairwell. There was no breakfast, and all the coffee places in the area were open at 9 AM on Sundays. But if your class starts at 8 AM and there’s still 15 minutes of driving involved — you know it’s going to be a long day…
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