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West Volusia Historical Society

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DeLand, FL
West Volusia Historical Society

Mission: To preserve and promote the history of West Volusia County.
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06/19/2026

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 – 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟗-𝟐𝟓

𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟐 A widow supporting two children as an interior decorator; a 60-year-old house painter from England; and a 40-year-old fish camp owner who gave up fishing. These were just a few of the West Volusia citizens turned defense workers featured in a June 22, 1942, feature article in the Jacksonville Times Union, All were in training at a local vocational school, one of two plants operated by the Babcock Aviation Co., or in home workshops. Using former clerks, auto mechanics, and small-shop operators, Babcock produced needed war equipment on a production schedule once deemed “impossible.”

Eleanor Land was the interior decorator who learned to make aircraft fabric. George Lane, the house painter, was a native of Nottingham, England, who served as an ambulance driver in World War I and married an English nurse. Two of his sons joined the U.S. Army in 1941 and a daughter enlisted in the Woman’s Army Corps (WAC).

The Babcock plants were located on the truck route near the railroad tracks and at the old fairgrounds where the Johnnie Jones circus usually wintered. The Mary Karl Vocational School was on South Woodland Boulevard.

SOURCE: WVHS History Is Alive column, DeLandites Pooled War Work Effort, by Jack Fortas, The DeLand Sun News. The 1944 photo of the MKVS Airplane Fabric Class is from the Dreggors Collection in the WVHS historical photo archives. The man at right is A.W. Beadle, the timekeeper.

06/17/2026

It’s June, the month when we think of brides and weddings. This brings up an interesting question. Who were the first bride and groom to be married in DeLand? The honored couple was Anna Susan Kirk and Benjamin F. Colcord. Anna was quite beautiful and had first turned down suitor Charles Howry. Then she met Ben, fell in love and on November 12, 1877, they exchanged vows at the Rich Cabin. The Cabin, home of Captain John and Clara Rich, was the site of all activity in those early years. Annie was 25 and Benjamin 42. Benjamin has settled in the Beresford area and that is where the newlyweds began their lives together.

Benjamin Franklin Colcord was born in 1836 and raised in Danvers Center, Massachusetts. As a young man he became a shoemaker. His father was a veteran of the War of 1812, so in 1861, Benjamin followed his father’s legacy and joined the Union Army as a Private in the 3rd New Hampshire Infantry. After the Civil War ended, he travelled to Jacksonville, Florida in 1873. Two years later he ventured along the St. Johns River and found himself at Captain Alexander’s Landing. He established a homestead of 40 acres near the river and opened the first mercantile store in the area with partner David Felt. After several years he became an orange grower. Benjamin served as an early postman in Beresford and through the years served on the county school board, as an elections clerk, and became a successful agriculturalist.

Anna Susan Kirk was born in 1853 in New Albany, Indiana. Her father, Captain Vincent Kirk, a veteran of the Indiana 23rd Infantry, came to DeLand with his family in 1874 where he homesteaded in what is now the eastern edge of DeLand. He sold lots and built homes for newcomers. Vincent Kirk was our first developer! Annie Kirk Colcord was very active in the First Presbyterian Church, the DeLand Women’s Club and numerous causes to benefit the community.

The couple was well loved and respected in West Volusia. They built a large home on their property on Beresford Road near the river and raised their family there. Their first child, Benjamin, Jr., died as an infant. Their son Melvin, born in 1879, held important positions with railroads in the Northeast. Their daughter Susie, born in 1882, married R. J. Coup and moved to Los Angeles. Benjamin travelled back to Pennsylvania in 1913 to attend the Battle of Gettysburg 50-year reunion. Benjamin and Annie both died at their beloved home in Beresford, he in 1925 at 89 and she in 1936 at 78. They were married for 48 years. Annie received a widow’s pension based on Benjamin’s service in the Civil War. They are buried together at Beresford Cemetery, along with son Melvin, Annie’s parents and her brother.

Sources: The DeLand Sun News, Ryder, K; Better Country Beyond, DeLand, Helen P; The Story of DeLand and Lake Helen, Ancestry.com.

06/16/2026

🎉Congratulations to the winners of Museum Month Bingo!

Thank you to everyone who visited the DeLand House Museum and the DeLand Memorial Hospital and Veterans Museum during Museum Month! 🏛️

Whether you were a first-time visitor or a longtime supporter, we loved sharing our stories with you. Thank you for supporting local history and helping preserve West Volusia's heritage.

06/15/2026

Reflecting with gratitude on the life of Richard “Dick” Shaw Graham, distinguished Volusia jurist.

West Volusia Historical Society recognizes with appreciation the lasting impact of our friend, the late Richard “Dick” Shaw Graham who passed away on June 2nd. He was born in DeLand in 1942 and attended local schools. He graduated from U.F. with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1964 and earned his Juris Doctor in 1967 from Stetson University Law School. Dick served in the U.S. Army Reserve Advocate General Corps at the rank of Captain. He entered private practice in 1968 as a partner in Landis Graham and French in DeLand where he also served as President of the Volusia Bar Association. He was admitted to practice before all state and federal courts up the U.S. Supreme Court. Dick served in the Florida Legislature from 1988 to 1992 and later was appointed by Governor Bush as a judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit. After retirement in 2012, he continued in private practice. His civic and community contributions were extraordinary and generous.

In 1969, Dick courageously took the case of Jesse Daniels, who as a teen had been wrongly incarcerated under archaic mental health laws. Dick’s dedication to this cause led to the establishment of Florida’s Baker Act. A bust of Richard Graham stands in the Daytona Beach Esplanade park in commemoration of his contributions to the legal community and his many causes in the name of justice for all.

You can hear more about Dick’s life in this West Volusia Historical Society oral history
interview conducted in 2018 by Sally Landis Bohon on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/ighi7GadOI8?si=C3imXJT-KqXFVQEA

06/12/2026

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 – 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟐-𝟏𝟖

𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟕 When Volusia County voters moved the “seat” of county government from Enterprise to DeLand in 1888, armed conflict almost ensued. Cries for another move, from DeLand to Daytona Beach, were even louder as more than 1,000 people gathered in the Casino Burgoyne in Daytona Beach on June 16, 1927. Speakers, led by Daytona attorney Franklin N. Wood, called for work on a new courthouse in DeLand to stop and for a site on the more populous east side of the county be chosen.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal, which reported the story the next day, also featured on Page 1 a pledge card to raise money and support for the “courthouse removal” effort, the second since 1925 when county commissioners authorized construction of a new courthouse in DeLand. It would replace the 1889-90 building, funded by Henry A. DeLand, John B. Stetson and Fred S. Goodrich, on a site donated by Mr. DeLand. Work had just started in 1927 when the verbal and legal battles erupted. The movement eventually failed. Work resumed in 1928, and an elegant new courthouse opened in DeLand on Nov. 18, 1929.

SOURCE: The Daytona Beach News-Journal, June 17, 1927, p 1; Reflections West Volusia County, pp. 131-32; Volusia the West Side, pp. 354-5. The 1930s photo of the Volusia County Courthouse is from the Dreggors Collection in the WVHS Historic Photo Archives.

06/10/2026

You won't want to miss this engaging presentation that highlights the American Revolution through the perspectives of George and Martha Washington, portrayed by historians Bill and Cara Elder.

06/07/2026

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 - 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟓-𝟏𝟏

𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟓 The June 8 edition of The DeLand Sun News had two front-page articles relating to local churches.

One was a report on funeral services for national award-winning West Volusia horticulturist 𝐋𝐮𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐦 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐠, who had died June 3 in DeLand Memorial Hospital at age 65. The ceremony was “…held on Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church with many hundreds in attendance to pay their last respects to the venerable and gifted Chinaman.” The address was given by Dr. R.W. Thirst, pastor of the church. Pallbearers were G.A Dreka, H.B. Stevens, V.W Gould, E.H. Talton, Earl W. Brown and Clayton C. Codrington. Interment was at Oakdale Cemetery with undertaker J.A. Allen in charge.

Also noted: 𝐒𝐭. 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐬 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 was celebrating retiring, in less than three years, a $35,000 debt to enlarge the church to meet the demands of a growing congregation.

SOURCE: Digitized files of The DeLand Sun News, June 8, 1925, DeLand Public Library. Photo of Lue Gim Gong (2nd from right) with guests (about 1910) from the Dreggors Collection in the WVHS Historical Photo Archives.

06/06/2026

𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡… 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝟏𝟕𝟓 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲!

Clara Wright Rich was born in Waterville, New York on June 6, 1851. Her family migrated to Beaufort, South Carolina where she met and married Captain John Rich in 1869. He was a veteran of the Union Army. They had their first son, Wardie, in 1871 who died at 4 months old. Clara’s father Cyrenius Wright joined Captain Rich on his first trek to Florida and Persimmon Hollow where each staked claim to 160 acres. John built the very first home here, The Rich Cabin, site of all early activities. Cyrenius later became the first mayor of DeLand.

Clara came to Persimmon Hollow, now DeLand, in January of 1876. She arrived at Alexander’s landing with their two-year-old son, Stephen. She carried her worldly possessions in one satchel. They settled into their new pioneer life joined soon by others from South Carolina, Indiana and Wisconsin. In March 1876, they hosted Mr. Henry DeLand on his first visit. Henry heartily feasted on Clara’s delicious fried chicken!

Later in 1876 they welcomed Clara Belle, DeLand’s first born child. The Rich family moved to Jacksonville in 1882 where John became the Florida Agent for the Mallory Steamship Line. Sadly, in March of 1886, Captain John died of pneumonia at 46. Clara was expecting their 4th child at the time. Daughter Ruth was born that August. 1886 was a challenging year for Clara Rich. Her father’s death in December and the great DeLand Fire, which reduced downtown to rubble, led her to stay put in Jacksonville. However, she returned to visit her brother Silas Wright, a Stetson law professor, and to attend the Old Settler’s Society gatherings.

Clara raised three children, helped by the sale of lots at their DeLand property. One parcel, however, was donated for the building of St. Barnabas Church. Clara was a prominent member of the Jacksonville community and was very active in the DAR, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Episcopal Church

Clara died at 75 in Jacksonville on Nov. 8, 1926, forty years after her beloved John’s passing. Her service was held at St. Barnabas Church. Clara was buried with John in the Wright plot at Oakdale Cemetery. Now, 175 years from her birth, and 100 years from her passing, we remember her remarkable life and the lasting mark she made on the history of DeLand.

Sources for West Volusia Historical Society: Ryder, Karen; Better Country Beyond, The Florida Times Union, Wright, Silas Jr; The Cabin.

06/04/2026

Can you imagine DeLand with just one cabin? By 1884, the city had already grown to include churches, hotels, businesses, and a thriving community. This map tells the story.

Address

137 W Michigan Avenue
Deland, FL
32720

Opening Hours

Tuesday	12pm - 4pm
Wednesday	12pm - 4pm
Thursday	12pm - 4pm
Friday	12pm - 4pm
Saturday	12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+13867406813

Website

http://www.delandhouse.com/

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