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Beyond the Obvious …Quality of Life Includes Great People
The Ormond Memorial Art Museum, the Casements, former winter home of John D. Rockefeller, and many others offer not only art but historical perspectives. The Mary McLeod Bethune home, the Halifax Historical Museum, and the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum are only a few of dozens. Head west to the Museum of Art — DeLand, and to DeBary to see historic DeBary Hall.
Many people who could live anywhere choose to live here. “My husband, Mori, and I moved to Volusia County to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University,” says Forough Hosseini, chair of the board of trustees, Daytona State College. Mori is chairman and CEO of ICI Homes. “We elected to build our lives here because of all that Volusia County has to offer. We valued that our community is home to many colleges and universities. Our cultural scene is as worthy as that found in many larger cities,” she says. “This jewel of a community is wrapped in beautiful, clean sandy beaches and fresh air. Where else could we have moved and be blessed by such qualities?”
Treasures South and North
As enthusiastic as Daytonans are about their town, they aren’t alone. Get on the road west to DeLand or south to New Smyrna Beach, and you will find two places with distinct personalities and happy residents.
New Smyrna Beach is often described as quaint and laid-back, a quieter place known for the Canal Street Historic District, local restaurants such as JB’s Fish Camp and the Grille at Riverview. What truly sets it apart, however, is the art scene, comprised of the Atlantic Center for the Arts, which offers residency programs to well-known artists in every discipline, and a breathtaking complex offering public performances and exhibits. Complementing ACA are Harris House, The Hub on Canal and the Arts on Douglas galleries, with new exhibits on the first Saturday of the month, and a reception known for its wine, local shrimp and spirited atmosphere.
DeLand, to the west, is the Volusia County seat and home to Stetson University, where lectures and concerts are offered in beautiful Elizabeth Hall, named for the wife of famed hat maker John B. Stetson, an early school benefactor. Their home, the Stetson Mansion, built in 1886, is open for tours.
Downtown DeLandis an award-winning Main Street community, dotted with owner-run specialty stores, galleries, antique shops and charming oddities such as Chess Park. It’s the site of classic car shows, art shows and performances in the nearby Athens Theatre, a 1922 jewel of Italian Renaissance architecture.
Venture beyond DeLandto the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, where believers and the simply curious are welcome. Blue Spring State Park is a manatee refuge, and the Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts, a living history destination. Byways, cruises on the St. Johns River and treks through the Big Scrub sand pine forest are favorite ways locals enjoy the outdoors.
Easy business and day trips to all parts of Florida are another advantage of Volusia’s central location. St. Augustine, just a hop away, takes you back to 1565, the year of its founding. Set out on foot over cobblestone streets into Old Town, or take the sightseeing trolley, and visit dozens of historic sites, such as the Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth.
South of Volusia, the Space Coast envelops the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the southern end of Canaveral National Seashore, for prime bird watching. Nearby is the John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, where space exploration, past and present, comes alive. Theme parks are close by too — Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Legoland, Sea World Florida and many others. All in your Volusia backyard.
- How much do Volusians value the environment? Enough that voters approved passage of the ECHO property tax in 2000 to support Educational, Cultural, Historical and Outdoor programs. “Every corner of the county has been positively impacted by this program,” says Pat Northey, former Volusia County Council chair. To date, the grant program has awarded $76 million for more than 190 projects, including Jackie Robinson Ballpark, beachside parks such as Andy Romano and Smyrna Dunes, a dog park in Ormond Beach, Athens Theatre in DeLand, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and DeBary’s Gateway Center for the Arts.
- Bird-watchers find this a perfect place to fill in the blanks on their life-list of birds. On the beach, at sea, in the mangroves, on Hontoon Island State Park, at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge and in the northern sector of Canaveral National Seashore, binoculars are a must.
What is the character of Daytona Beach?
The tale of Brownie the Town Dog may give you an idea. Brownie, a stray, lived downtown from 1939 until 1954. He had no owner, and was loved by the whole city. He lived in a custom dog house, had a bank account at Florida Bank & Trust, and liked to eat steak and ice cream. He is at rest in Daytona’s Riverfront Park, a plaque marking his place. In June of this year, a bronze statue was added, because people still remember and still care. That’s Daytona Beach.
