I recently had the opportunity to tour the historic 19th century DeBary Hall. The 20 room,…read moreItalianate style hunting lodge was located a mile from the St. John's River. The property was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places on July 24, 1972. DeBary Hall is the oldest intact building in southwest Volusia County. This historic site sits over 10 acres and includes the 8,000 square foot main home, stables, ice house, equipment shed, and tenant house. DeBary Hall was built in 1871 as the winter hunting retreat of Samuel Frederick DeBary (1815-1898), a European-born wine merchant for Mumms Champagne. He chose Florida to help ease his daughters asthma and to indulge in his love of hunting. This was the smallest of his six homes. While this may have been a vacation retreat, he still used it to make money. While in residence he operated a 600 acre citrus grove. He built a packing house beside the lake pier and was one of the first citrus growers to sort oranges by size by rolling them down an inclined trough with variously sized holes. He also developed the DeBary Merchants Line which ran a commercial steamboats for trade up the St. John's River to Jacksonville. German born Samuel Frederick DeBary was one of the wealthiest men of his day. His estate was a center of sport hunting and hospitality. In the late 1800's and early 1900's DeBary entertained Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Grover Cleveland; the Astors, Goulds, and Vanderbilts, General William Tecumseh Sherman, and the Prince of Wales before he became King Edward VII. Popular activities included swimming in the local springs, fishing, and hunting quail, deer, and alligator. The DeBary's used the hall as their family winter retreat until 1941, when the last American ancestor, Leonie DeBary Lyon Brewster, died without an heir at the age of 31 in a plane crash with her husband. Her brother Adolphe met a tragic end at the age of 23 in New York while saving a young lady from being hit by a taxi. After Leonie's death there were plans was to create a grand subdivision in the 1950's and land was parceled out in 1/2 acre plots to begin Debary Village but it went bankrupt a few years into the project. After that DeBary Hall passed through various hands as the house was left to decay and the furnishings lost. The State of Florida purchased DeBary Hall in 1967. After years of abandonment, people came together in the 1990's to restore the home to its former glory. The State of Florida now leases the historic site to the County of Volusia as a historic house museum. The home has few original pieces but there are other period furnishings representative of what would have been accurate for the time. Unique advanced features of the house for the time include an elevator for guests' luggage, running water through a 500-gallon tank in the ceiling, wall fed electricity made onsite by natural gas, a wired call system throughout the entire house, and a lightning protection system that covered the roof. The house had Florida's first spring-fed swimming pool which used a pump to fill and drain the pool each day. Mr. DeBary also had the bathroom moved indoors which was not common for the time. Later on family members added indoor plumbing. The house also has an almost unheard of feature in Florida, a basement! My admission was only $5. I came late in the day and was lucky to receive a private tour from Ed who was so kind and knowledgeable. I learned do much about the DeBary family and the history of this area. A visit starts with a 15 minute movie about the history of the St. John's River during which you take a simulated steamboat ride. After the movie I was given an informative tour of both floors of DeBary Hall. In February they have an annual Living History Day that I would love to come back for next year. I highly recommend a visit DeBary Hall if you are in the area. A big thanks to the community for saving this historical gem for everyone to enjoy. DeBary Hall is a stop on the Lake Monroe-Gemini Springs-DeBary Hall trail. The Spring to Spring Trail is so named because the 6.6 mile trail links a number of state and county parks that contain springs. Be sure and check out some of the beautiful springs if you visit the area.

We came here on a Friday afternoon and took the tour with Ann. The tour took about an hour and a…read morehalf and we walked some of the grounds and toured the house upstairs and downstairs. We learned so much about the history of Mr DeBary his family and his vacation hunting home. There's also a short 15 minute movie with rotating seats! Prices are very reasonable $4 for seniors and $5 for adults. Kids $2. Although I think the kids may be a little bored. But each year they do offer a History Day that sounds amazing check the website. A must see if you're in the Sanford area. Across the street is Gemini Springs a beautiful Park where you can stroll through the woods or a long the beautiful springs. Pet friendly with dog park and kids area.

Nice city with lots of homes,it has grown a lot In the last 10-15 years.Property here is expensive…read morethough such as buying a home/town home or condo or even property for your own business. The best place near by to move to with property not as expensive is Casselberry or even Longwood. Altamonte Springs has it's own mall a very well known mall that has been around for years and a Florida Hospital. The city it self has added a lot of new business and has changed in the last decade with a one of the tallest buildings in the south being built over the 1-4 bridge (The i4 eyesore). Good schools in Altamonte Springs including Lake Orienta witch has been around for YEARS, and has many good teachers. Lots of good community's but like i stayed before they can be pretty expensive in most areas of Altamonte. One of the most used and common roads in central Florida crosses thru Altamonte (436) a well known road that once use to be a two way street.

While I am very familiar with the blue markers of the state wide Florida Historical Marker Program,…read moreoccasionally I will come across a county or city historic marker. On a recent walk through Lake Concord Park I was delighted to discover that the City of Casselberry has their own historic marker program. Historic markers are a great way to learn about the formative people, buildings, and events in a town's history. This marker is about the Belgian Azalea Gardens. In 1939 Azalea growers Jules and Janis Colle came to Casselberry to grow their particular kind of Belgian Azalea's. They chose Casselberry because they had heard that it was possible to get oil from the railroad to use to heat plants during freezes. The couple created their business Belgian Azaleas Inc. with Hibbard Casselberry, the founder of the City of Casselberry. The azaleas were not just sold and shipped cross the country and to Canada but they were also given away to promote the town. Soon the azaleas became part of the identity of Casselberry and the plants can still be seen in the gardens of homes in the town today.

I always enjoy discovering historic churches, and Carpenter Gothic architecture is one of my…read morefavorite architectural styles. Traditional Gothic architecture originated in Europe during the Middle Ages, between the 12th and 16th centuries. Its soaring spires, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses created magnificent cathedrals designed to fill with colorful light streaming through stained glass windows, symbolizing heaven itself. Carpenter Gothic is the North American interpretation of that style. Popular during the 19th century, it borrowed the steep gables, pointed arches, and decorative Gothic details but recreated them in wood rather than expensive stone, making the style practical for rural churches and country communities. It seems to have been especially popular in Central Florida. I recently visited another Carpenter Gothic church in Mims, although that building is now used only for special events rather than weekly worship services. The Ocoee Christian Church is a beautiful example of this architectural style. Ocoee was chartered in 1925 after growing from a small citrus farming settlement near Lake Starke, but the church predates the city by more than forty years. Established in 1883, it is believed to be the oldest Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) building in continuous use in Florida, with the congregation worshiping in the same sanctuary since 1891. The church's story began in the home of General William Temple Withers and his wife, who wintered in Ocoee after the general's health declined from wounds he suffered during the Mexican-American War. Wanting to establish a Christian Church in the growing settlement, they helped organize the congregation. Although General Withers passed away before construction of the sanctuary began, his widow and children fulfilled his dream by completing the church on land donated by Captain and Mrs. H. Bluford Sims. The sanctuary exemplifies Carpenter Gothic craftsmanship, and its simplicity is exactly what makes it so special. Built on a traditional Gothic floor plan in the shape of a cross, it has remained unchanged for over a century. The original wooden floors and pews are still in use today. The church's stunning stained-glass chancel windows were crafted in Belgium, shipped across the Atlantic to New York, transported to Jacksonville, then by boat to Sanford, and finally carried by oxcart to Ocoee, where they were installed by a Belgian artisan. The original church bell was cast in 1891 by the Shane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, MD. While the beautiful architecture is to be admired the church is also connected to a dark chapters of Florida's history, the 1920 Ocoee Massacre. At the time, nearly half of Ocoee's residents were African American. On Election Day, a Black man, Mose Norman attempted to exercise his constitutional right to vote but was violently confronted by a white mob. He sought refuge at the home of his friend and business associate, July Perry, a respected farmer and labor broker who held an important leadership role within the community. The mob surrounded Perry's home, where his wife and children were also present, and a gun battle erupted. Norman and Perry's family managed to escape, but Perry was seriously wounded and arrested. The following morning, a white mob dragged him from the Orange County Jail, brutally beat him, and lynched him near the home of Judge John Moses Cheney, who had publicly encouraged African Americans to register and vote. As racial violence spread through Ocoee, members of the Ocoee Christian Church locked the sanctuary doors to shelter Black residents from the mob outside. The church itself came under gunfire, and bullet holes can still be seen on the property today, serving as a silent reminder of the massacre. By the time the terror ended, much of Ocoee's Black community had been killed, displaced, or forced to flee, and within a year, the city's African American population had been almost entirely driven out. In recognition of both its architectural beauty and historical significance, Ocoee Christian Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This church checked every box for me. It is a beautiful example of Carpenter Gothic architecture, an important piece of Florida history, I love knowing that this remarkable landmark is still a living church, welcoming worshippers every Sunday for traditional services led by Rev. Thomas A. "Tuck" Norvell.

I was summoned for Federal Grand Jury duty. This is the federal courthouse for central Florida…read more Parking (not covered) is near by for $10/day on Grove Park Drive and Division Avenue. The security was very nice and quick to get me through. As a juror you can bring in food, drink, and your cellphone (that will be put in a locker) since you will be there for the day. Courthouse opens at 7:30am. All of the staff were great. It is not bad being on this side of the courts.

Beautiful courthouse! Very organized in the jury selection. Parking lot was close by and security…read morewas easy to get through.

Went to renew my passport book and card along with a new photo. I was in and out of there within 10…read moreminutes. It is by appointment only but easy to make an appointment online. When you walk in, you will check in and review why you are there. They were all very nice and helpful. There is plenty of parking but be aware the office is in the first floor on the back side of the 2 story building. This building is located behind Publix. You can choose to mail it yourself or have them do it for a small fee. $35 for the processing fee plus $15 for the added photos. They will print 2 photos, 1 to submit with your passport and 1 to do whatever you want with it. They also have an expedited option for a fee which I do not take advantage of since I do not have any upcoming travel plans.

In the tiny center of the small town of Oakland, Florida is this cool town square. It is really not…read moremuch more than a fountain, but I really thought that it fit this small town located somewhere between Orlando and Clermont (though much, much closer to Clermont).

I've heard the residents of Mount Dora were in an uproar when this house was painted, but…read moreultimately the city failed to make the homeowners to revert to a standard color (lost court case). Hearing this was painted to help their autistic son identify the house if wandering off made my heart happy. It also offers both residents and tourists a beautiful mural and testament to artistic expression. Very glad I was able to see it and hope others are able to appreciate the beauty of the mural (renovated in 2025).

If you're strolling through Mount Dora and stumble upon the Van Gogh House, prepare to be genuinely…read moredelighted. This hidden gem is an absolute visual treat and one of the most creative outdoor art experiences I've seen in Central Florida. Every side of the house and surrounding walls is covered in vibrant, swirling murals inspired by Van Gogh's most iconic works--from Starry Night skies to bold sunflowers and rolling landscapes. It feels like you're walking straight into a living painting. The colors are incredibly vivid, and the detail is impressive from every angle. No two sections feel the same, which makes it even more fun to walk around and explore. It's peaceful, artistic, and surprisingly immersive for an open-air display. The contrast of classic fine art style painted onto a casual neighborhood setting makes it feel whimsical and unexpected in the best way. This spot is completely free to enjoy, perfect for photos, and a must-see if you love art, murals, or unique local attractions. It's one of those places that reminds you how much creativity can transform a space. The Van Gogh House is truly one of Mount Dora's coolest hidden treasures and absolutely worth the stop.