Endangered Historic Properties*
in Volusia County
A List Endorsed by the
Volusia County Historic Preservation Board, Nov. 2007
Strawn Groves
Packing House & Saw Mill, DeLeon Springs (NR)
The
citrus packinghouse complex and sawmill are both listed on the National
Register of Historic Places and are recognized as significant historic
architectural resources associated with Florida’s citrus industry. The
12 contributing buildings and 3 contributing structures that comprise
the packinghouse complex retains its original architectural integrity to
a high degree and represents the largest citrus-related historic
district documented in Florida. The sawmill is one of few examples left
in Florida of an early 20th century timber processing operation. All of
the buildings and structures associated with this listing are in an
advanced state of deterioration.
Colonial New
Smyrnea Archeological Sites (NR)
In
1998, the cities of New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange, along with Volusia
County, sponsored a comprehensive archeological survey to locate sites
associated with the colonial New Smyrnea settlement—the ambitious
attempt by Andrew Turnbull and partners to introduce 1,400 Mediterranean
colonists to farm their plantation in the New World. Nearly 40
colonial-period archaeological sites were documented, including several
that contain significant structural remains. After more than two
centuries, New Smyrna's original town plan is beginning to emerge once
again. Future archaeological surveys and excavations, in combination
with site preservation and focused historical research, will provide a
wealth of new data with which to fill in the gaps about life in 18th
Century New Smyrnea—one of Florida's greatest colonial experiments. The
major threat for these nationally significant resources is that new
development in certain areas of the City of New Smyrna Beach is
destroying significant archeological deposits when not properly
mitigated.
Historic Pierson School
In
1926, the same year the Town of Pierson was incorporated, a new, Spanish
Mission style school building was constructed for high school students
to the west of the existing (now demolished) elementary school. The new
structure had an auditorium with a balcony, dressing rooms, two large
classrooms, a smaller classroom, principal’s office, small library, and
remarkably, two bathrooms. The school was the first public building in
the area to have an electric pump, plumbing and a water fountain. In
1962 a new high school was constructed; the historic buildings now house
Pierson Elementary School, soon to be closed and no longer used as a
public school. Despite the high potential for adaptive reuse, no effort
to save the building has been initiated.
Oak Hill VIA
Building (NR Eligible)
Built
in 1906, this unique eight-sided structure was first used as a community
center for the Oak Hill Village Improvement Association. In 1917 a team
of horses moved the building to its present location on a donated lot in
the center of town that had been deeded to the people of Oak Hill. The
only historic public building in the community, the hall has served as a
school, library, grocery store, city hall and host to local functions
from political rallies to scout meetings and fish fry dinners.
Structurally damaged by several hurricanes, this distinctive frame
building it is in desperate need of repair. It is one of only a few
historic octagon style structures left standing in Florida.
Rio Vista Subdivision Gateway, Calle Grande Street, Ormond Beach
This structure was built as a grand entryway for the Rio Vista
subdivision platted in 1926. The subdivision was owned and developed by
William Hardesty, who had made his fortune with the Hardesty
Manufacturing Company, an Arts & Crafts furniture company, in Dover,
Ohio, but had moved to Florida in 1922 to deal in real estate. By 1927,
a hotel, thirty-eight homes and over fifteen miles of paved roads had
been developed. But this all came to a halt upon the advent of the Great
Depression. The major threat to this structure is neglect.
Seville Public School (NR Eligible)
Originally a four-room schoolhouse constructed in 1913, the Seville
Public School replaced earlier schools in this historic community. In
1924 an addition was constructed on the south end and used as a high
school for several years. Currently owned and maintained by the Volusia
County School Board as an elementary school, the facility is to be
closed and declared obsolete. An excellent candidate for reuse, this
charming building’s future is in jeopardy and is additionally threatened
by potential expansion of US Highway17.
Hasty
Cottage, Davis House & Cemetery, Ponce Inlet
One
of three cottages built in the late 1800s by the founding Hasty family,
this is the only remaining structure from that period, and it served as
the last Ponce Park post office. The Davis House (right) was built in
1922, and was home to Edward Meyer, Sr., the last civilian lighthouse
keeper at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Nearby these historic buildings is
a graveyard in which Nathanial & Elizabeth Hasty, and “Cocoa” Bill
Williams, a local handyman are buried. These historic resources are
threatened by neglect and redevelopment.
Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp (NR)
Members of the Spiritualist faith founded Cassadaga in 1895 as a
religious camp meeting winter retreat. It came to be the group's second
largest center after its New York headquarters and remains associated
with the faith to this day. The National Register Historic District is
comprised mostly of frame vernacular residences, but also includes the
masonry temple building, frame-built visitors’ center, and several
park/open space areas. Threats to the historic district and portions of
the larger historic community of Cassadaga are associated with the
pending development associated with the SR 472 Activity Center and
annexations by the City of Deltona.
St. Johns River Shell Middens
These riverine shell middens, once massive in size, represent an
accumulation of prehistoric subsistence several millennia in duration.
Although shell pit excavations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
substantially destroyed most of these sites, recent archeological
excavations at several locations have revealed intact cultural deposits
with excellent preservation of organic materials. These deposits often
contain human remains and burials as well. Threats include ongoing
shoreline erosion during high-water events, development, and disturbance
by artifact collectors.
The McCoy House, 1090 Riverside Drive, Holly Hill
The former home of boat builder and rumrunner, Bill McCoy, who
resided here in the early 20th century when he and his brother, Ben,
built excursion boats at their boat works on the Halifax River. Alleged
to have run over 170,000 cases of liquor between New York and the
Bahamas during the Prohibition era, the “King of Rum Row” gained a
reputation as an honest man who never watered down his product. Although
already a part of American common parlance, the phrase “The Real McCoy”
gained yet another meaning when customers used it to inquire about their
pending purchase of bootlegged spirits. Although currently in use as an
apartment house, threats include under-valuation as waterfront real
estate and additions made to the building that are not compatible with
its historic integrity.
Fort Florida & Goat Island Burial Mounds, DeBary
Both these sites are sand burial mounds documented to contain human
remains. These earthen structures are designed and intended by
prehistoric peoples for the ritual interment of the deceased. Private
parties currently own these two significant prehistoric resources and
sacred Native American sites. Although protected by Chapter 872, Florida
Statutes (legislation making it a felony to knowingly disturb human
burials) these sites have been substantially disturbed and vandalized by
artifact collectors.
Underhill House, 227 Lemmon Road, Barberville
Constructed in 1879, this house is likely the oldest surviving brick
house in Volusia County. The bricks used in the construction of the
building were handmade by the Underhill family at a site near Deep
Creek, just south of where the house stands. The Underhill family is one
of the first families to introduce ornamental fern propagation to the
Pierson area, known as the “Fern-growing Capital of the World”. Its
current poor condition represents a threat to the building although the
Barberville Pioneer Settlement has recently acquired the property with
the intent of restoring it.
Rural Cemeteries of Volusia County
In recent years increased interest in genealogical research has
generated many inquiries regarding cemeteries in Volusia County.
Although most urban cemeteries in the county appear to be cared for
(albeit to various degrees) it has come to the attention of local
genealogical organizations and enthusiasts that most rural community and
family cemeteries are suffering from neglect. A concerted effort is
underway to photograph and record information from headstones in these
cemeteries, however, concern also exists to properly manage and preserve
these sacred properties—especially those cemeteries containing
headstones from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Questions of property
ownership, deteriorating headstones, vandalism, and a lack of
preservation and maintenance funds plague those who are interested in
doing more.
Historic Beachside Neighborhoods, Daytona Beach
Once the primary residential areas for the former cities of
Seabreeze and Daytona Beach (these two cities along with the city of
Daytona consolidated in the early 20th century), these neighborhoods
contain a substantial number of historic residences. Some of theses
areas have been designated as historic districts while others remain
unrecognized. With high-rise real estate development pressures
increasing on the ocean and riverfronts, redevelopment plans that
encourage demolition of housing stock, and choking waves of special
events traffic, the historic beachside residential neighborhoods of
Daytona Beach are threatened. Certain areas within these neighborhoods
have already been fragmented by incompatible development; bisected by
high traffic volume thoroughfares; or have many blighted properties.
Sugar Mill Ruins of the Halifax Region (NR)
The nine sugar mill ruins in the Volusia–Flagler area are a
substantial portion of the extant architectural remains in Florida of
the first era of plantation development. This era was initiated by the
rise of cash crop production on massive land grants along Florida’s East
Coast during the British Colonial Period and carried through the Second
Spanish and U.S. Territorial Periods. During this time a unique barrage
of political, social, and environmental events prevented any chance for
a routine life on these plantations. The hope for success and fortune
reached its ultimate demise at the hands of the Seminoles in 1835
marking the end of the era. Collectively, these sites are worthy of
consideration for National Historic Landmark designation. A report
summarizing the results of a structural stabilization study was
completed by a coalition of agencies in June 2001 examining seven of the
sugar mill sites. The report outlines conditions and recommended
specific corrective actions for each site. In a nutshell, the masonry
ruins will continue to deteriorate until damaging vegetative growth and
intrusive moisture is eliminated.
*
Endangered historic properties shall be defined as significant historic
resources in Volusia County subject to an immediate or pending threat
that will substantially alter or destroy its integrity.

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