Continuing at Orange City on 17-92

Many might go thru Orange city and think it no more than the highway clutter of stray buldings and what ever…but if you get off 17-92 and spend a bit of wandering about the town you’ll find some early homes.

In fact there is right in town a  low-key, Craftsman-style hotel dating from 1876 that has shops and more that are worth you parking and walking along it’s porches.  http://www.1876heritageinn.com/history.htm

The Heritage Inn

http://www.1876heritageinn.com/

and check other restaurants in the town and vicinity at https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g34511-Orange_City_Florida.html

• 

  12th and Final plate of the French Plates “Brigitte in Mini Skirt” complete with original packing, booklet and certificate

  $12.00

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/721532205/12th-and-final-plate-of-the-french?ref=shop_home_active_8

Head north on 17-92 until you come to French Ave

where you will turn left

and follow it to

Blue Springs State Park

2199 French Ave

(there are direction signs from 17-92)

This park is famous for a site where manatees come for the winter due to the year round water temperature of 72 degrees.

There’s lots to  do:

go here for the full story:

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park

Known as Persimmon Hollow for the wild persimmon trees that grow around the natural springs, the area was originally accessible only by steamboat up the St. Johns River. It was settled in 1874 by Captain John Rich, who built a log cabin. Henry Addison DeLand, a baking soda magnate from Fairport, New York, visited there in 1876, and envisioned building a citrus, agricultural and tourism center. That year he bought land and founded the town, naming it after himself. He sold his northern business and hired people to clear land, lay out streets, erect buildings and recruit settlers, most of whom came from upstate New York (however, he never lived in the city year-round.) The City of DeLand was officially incorporated in 1882, and became the county seat of Volusia County in 1887. It was the first city in Florida to have electricity.

DeLand, Florida facts for kids

As you near Deland you will see the Municipal Statium on your right—you will turn left on the next street which is West Euclid Ave .  Continue on this street until you come to Old New York Ave and turn  Left.  Continue on this street until you come to 4125/Hooton Road which will turn east and then back south again.   You will eventually come to River Ridge Road on your left—turn left and follow the road to it’s end at Honton Landing.

St. Johns River Boat Tours

St. Johns River Boat Tours depart daily from Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina. Hontoon is located near DeLand, Florida and is nestled along a bend in the St. Johns River, directly across from Hontoon Island State Park.

Check out more about the tour:  http://www.rivertoursathontoon.com/about.html

Prices and schecudule:

http://www.rivertoursathontoon.com/prices.html

Dockside Deli

http://www.rivertoursathontoon.com/dockside.html

On your way to the Tour Boat Dock location you will have passed the Ferry Dock for

Hontoon Island State Park..

This park is only accessible by private boat or the Ferry that leaves from this dock.  The island has camping and hiking facilities that might interest you as well.  Check it out      https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/hontoon-island-state-park

HONTOON ISLAND STATE PARK 

Hontoon Island State Park is a paradise for fishing, camping, hiking, boating, canoeing, picnicking and nature study.

HISTORY
The first inhabitants of the island were Native American Indians. Snails gathered from the shallows of the St. Johns River were a staple food of these people. Through the years, the discarded shells accumulated to form large mounds on the island, one of which may be viewed on the park’s nature trail. Three remarkable artifacts have been found in the vicinity of Hontoon Island. A large owl totem, carved from a log and two smaller carvings of wood, one of an otter holding a fish and the other of a bird which is apparently a pelican. Replicas of two of the totems stand in the picnic area as a tribute to the artistry and craftsmanship of the extinct culture.

In later years, the 1,650-acre island was a pioneer homestead, a boat yard, a center for commercial fishing and a cattle ranch before being purchased by the state in 1967.

• 

  Vintage Geoff Bodine/NASCAR Driver’s USA Bobsled Project “Going For the Gold”

  $5.99

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/548967232/vintage-geoff-bodinenascar-drivers-usa?ref=shop_home_active_12

Once you’ve done with your boats and things return to 17-92

and go on north (left)

turn left on East Voorhis Ave

go two blocks and make a left on S. Clara Avenue

ON the left before you get to W. New Street

you’ll find

• 

  DOLL Approx 1920s AM 9″ German BISQUE Head and Cloth Body

   $85.11

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/243822032/doll-approx-1920s-am-9-german-bisque?ref=shop_home_active_3

and don’t miss

 Deland Museum of Art Downtown

100 N Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32720

Intimate art museum featuring rotating exhibits of contemporary artwork, plus a gift store.

And come back next week when we look at what’s available to see in Deland and places north.

• 

  Fragile by Yes Vinyl 33 1/3 LP

  $7.99

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/537987481/fragile-by-yes-vinyl-33-13-lp?ref=shop_home_active_32