DeLand was once known as Persimmon Hollow for the wild persimmons that grew in the places where natural spring water bubbled up from the earth. Like so much of Florida in the early 1900s, the persimmon trees were plowed under to make way for the land boom that would last until the mid-1920s. Though patches of DeLand fell on hard times in the intervening years, today the town of 40,000 offers the kind of picturesque Old Florida setting that makes for great film sets (in fact, it’s been the location of a number of movies). DeLand is home to Stetson University, beautifully restored early 20th-century architecture and a quaint downtown that’s perfect for strolling.
College town
At the heart of DeLand, Stetson University (421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand; 386.822.7000; stetson.edu) was founded in the late 1800s. It was named for one of its trustees, John B. Stetson, the Philadelphia hat maker behind Stetson hats who wintered in DeLand. The university’s campus makes for a picturesque stroll, especially in fine weather. The architecture of its original buildings is a blend of Neoclassicism and Mediterranean Revival, and its roster of founding donors reads like a who’s-who of early 20th-century titans. Don’t miss Sampson Hall, financed by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, whose red brick edifice and colonnaded portico are pure collegiate charm. And stop by Flagler Hall, paid for by a donation from Henry Flagler, whose Mediterranean Revival style was an obsession of the railroad tycoon.
Catch a show
The Athens Theatre (124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand; 386.736.1500; athensdeland.com) in downtown DeLand offers one of the finest examples of the Italian Renaissance architecture that swept Florida in the early 1920s. The historic theater stages live musicals, plays and recitals.
A walk down Main Street
DeLand’s historic downtown is an excellent place to shop and nosh. Start by following the historic mural walk, an outdoor promenade through the town’s history. A downloadable brochure is available from Main Street DeLand’s website (mainstreetdeland.org). Then stop in for a cold pint at Persimmon Hollow Brewery (111 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand; 386.873.7350; persimmonhollowbrewing.com), whose motto is “Drink sensibly, but get weird.” The business is known for the Daytona Dirty Blonde, a blonde ale, and the Beach Hippie, an American IPA.
When it’s time for a bite, try the tapas and sangria at De La Vega (128 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand; 386.734.4444; delavegart.com). Don’t miss the dish that made it famous: the hibiscus tacos. Corn tortillas are filled with hibiscus petals, onions, cilantro, garlic, mozzarella cheese and red pepper sauce. “A combination of flavors that would make even the harshest food critic blush,” the menu boasts.
For another sumptuous dining option, DeLand’s Urban Brick (112 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand; 386.337.7040; urbanbrick.com) has top-notch fare. Offering farm-to-table American and Italian delectables, the menu includes both vegan and gluten-free options. Don’t miss the house-made cannoli from the restaurant’s pastry chef. Pair them with an espresso brewed from locally roasted beans, and this corner of central Florida will feel like a little piece of heaven.
