In the fall father returned to look after his new enterprise. He visited around with the homesteaders and reported that he found them "young, intelligent, cultured and enterprising, a first class nucleus for a town.” December sixth a meeting of the settlers was held at a point in the woods now occupied by Fountain's Store. The minutes read: "Mr. H. A. DeLand having been requested to state the object of the meeting said it was to obtain the views of the citizens in regard to erecting a roomy and substantial school house sufficient for the wants of the community, that for such a purpose he would donate the amount of land needed upon which they were standing: that $800 to $1,000 would be necessary in his judgment to build an appropriate house and that if the house were completed within ninety days, he would give $400 cash toward its erection, should the cost be as estimated, or a proportionate share should a less sum be required. The school house could be used for divine worship and a sabbath school until such time as a church could be built and when that time should come, he pledged to give a like sum of $400 to any denomination who should build, or for a union church. This offer was accepted and a building committee was appointed: Messrs. Lancaster, C. Howry, Jordan, Rich, Scoville, and Rev. M. S. Leete was chosen treasurer. Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Voorhis, Mrs. Rich, Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Owen were to act as a soliciting committee.

"On motion it was voted to call the town DeLand in perpetuation of the name of its liberal founder. The following streets were named: New York Avenue, Plymouth Avenue, Indiana Avenue, Amelia Avenue, (for Mrs. Leete); Clara Avenue, (for Mrs. Rich); Rich Avenue, (for Capt. Rich). Mr. DeLand stated that he would open a boulevard from New Yark Avenue up to and beyond the school house, with a row of trees planted in the middle to be called Woodland Boulevard. The subject of a wharf was considered: The cost estimated at $300, Mr. DeLand offering to make up any lack of funds, if necessary. The wharf committee was Messrs. Lancaster, Jones, H. Brown, Wood, Colcord and Austin."

CHURCH AND SCHOOL, 1877

The little group of pioneers determined to found their new town on "Christian principles.” After Rev. M. S. Leete came in the fall of '76 services were held Sunday mornings in the Rich cabin where the Leetes were guests until they could build their home. Sometimes the meet- ings were outside. Of the first, Bishop F. D. Leete says: "I recall it perfectly. We were seated on planks supported by blocks from logs, on three sides of a hollow square. Father was on the open side. We were on the sand and pine needles, and were surrounded by the trees.” The oc- casion was not entirely serious. When one of the audience tried to get up, he found that the pitch held him firmly to the stump on which he had been sitting. Everybody worked hard to build the schoolhouse. The soliciting committee asked one man for a contribution and he replied:

"Then you will want an organ and carpets."

"Of course," with a laugh.

"I came here," he said, "to get away from women and

churches."

But he sent a check for the fund. Work, as well as money, was given. There was a festival with ice cream made with ice from Maine. It was in such demand that the committee had to dilute it, until they were embarrassed. At last the building was finished to the delight of all except the small settlers, who preferred church in the open air. The fourth Sunday in March, 1877, Rev. M. S. Leete and Rev. Mehand dedicated it, preaching to a congregation of s.eventy. When there was no resident minister, Dr. Voorhis and J. Y. Parce read sermons from religious papers. Mr. Paree also conducted funerals. Occasionally a minister came from Prevatt (Lake Helen). He is described as a fine old gentleman with white hair and a long, white beard and he rode a white horse. School began May 7, with Rowena Dean, as teacher. She stayed two years and the school prospered. From a letter written by E. 0. Painter in 1912, we learn that a newspaper correspondent had called Miss Dean the "editor's devil.” Mr. Painter claimed that distinction for himself and said: "At that time if any one had called Miss Dean a 'devil', there would have been several young men who would have resented it very forcibly for they thought she was an angel of rare intellect and beauty.” Others of the early teachers were Lucy A. Fiddis, Addie Stedman (Strack), Charles Miller, and Mrs. Thomas Holbrooke. There was also Mr. Davis who wielded a whip, for protection the boys put geographies up their backs. One pupil recalls the day the toughest boy of the town was thrashed. He also remembers sitting with several other children on a log under the tall pine trees, while Miss Dean taught them the reading lesson. There was an element of danger present at first. A large rattlesnake was killed in front of the school house. The skin was nailed to Mr. Terry's barn. It had come up because of the high water in the swamp. Each pupil had to provide his own desk and chair. Sometimes white pine from boxes was used. Imagine going home at the end of the year with desk and chair, as well as books under your arm. When the building became too small for the increasing number of pupils, it was moved from the corner of Indiana Avenue and the Boulevard to West Indiana Avenue and served as a Fire House. The attempt made in 1927 to preserve it as a landmark was unsuccessful and it was torn down.

Excerpt from:

The Story of DeLand and Lake Helen, Florida 

Written by, Helen Parce DeLand.