Barberville, New Smyrna, Debary, Ponce Inlet, all of these
cities have something in common. These cities are home to just some
of Volusia County’s many cultural and historic sites. For
instance, did you know that Ponce Inlet was the home of an 100-year-
lighthouse? This red brick lighthouse, named after Ponce DeLeon,
guided ships safely to shore until 1970. There is also the
Barberville Pioneer Settlement, which features “a collection of historic
buildings including a church, train station, post office, school house,
and a farm.” Visitors of the distinguished Debary hall, built in
1871, get to experience a day in the life of Samuel Frederick Debary.
This opulent wine importer, not only founded the city of Debary, but also
grew oranges and built steamships. Is there anyone interested in
touring the old south? Visitors of New Smyrna are given the
opportunity to see the Sugar Mill Plantation ruins. Here’s a list
of many other “must-see” locations in Volusia County:
¨ Beach
Street Historic District (Daytona Beach)- Come take
a look at Old Daytona
¨
Gamble
Place (Port Orange)- This “five-room cracker-style
home built by the Gamble
family of Cincinnati, features its
original furnishings and shares
a lot with a replica of Snow
White’s cottage from the 1939
Disney movie”
¨
Jackie
Robinson Ball Park & Historic Site (Daytona Beach)
¨
The
childhood home of Howard Thurman- This is the home
of writer Howard Thurman, who
was also the mentor of
Martin Luther King Jr.
¨
A
racing tour, which features the site where Sir Malcolm
Campbell set a land, speed
record of 276.82 mph in 1935.
¨
The
Drive-in Christian Church where Bill France Sr.
registered drivers for his
early stock car races
¨
The
site of the black settlement in Freemanville
¨
The
home of Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune
Cookman College.
