THE RAILROAD

The first railroad in Volusia County was built from Orange City to Blue Springs Landing in 1881. It was two miles long and the car was drawn by a mule. It was planned to extend the line to New Smyrna, but the owner failed and the property was sold to a Mr. Twing who incorporated the Blue Springs, Orange City and Atlantic Railroad. The road was completed in the winter of 1886 and 1887 by E. R. Chapman. The name was changed to the Atlantic and Western Railway. It is now a branch of the Flagler East Coast Line. When the rails were first laid through Lake Helen, my father Henry DeLand, drove up one day, got out of his carriage, placed his foot on a rail, took off his hat, swung it high and shouted, "Hurrah! hurrah!" It was a characteristic act of his buoyant temperament.

"The opening of the railroad was a great occasion. The appointed day arrived. Everybody was at the station anxiously peering through the pines westward for the first sign of the smoke or listening for the roar of the iron horse. But no train and the forenoon passed. Luckily all had brought luncheons. When the noon hour arrived we settled on the ground or platform to eat. When the 'train' pulled in, such hustling. Lunches replaced and away, all scurried aboard the flat cars on which were planks or boards supported by wooden blocks for seats, then towards New Smyrna. Streams of smoke and sparks settled on 'we uns' and kept us busy putting out the fires started on our clothes. Cattle and hogs disputed the right of way and the engine kept tooting to frighten them off. One longhorn refused to leave the track and at last the train slowed down to a snail's pace and at that pushed the critter off into the ditch, heels up. The train was halted and as required by law, the trainmen proceeded to take the brand mark of the critter. They grabbed her feet and turned her on her side to see the brand, supposing her dead, when up she sprang and with lowered horns and a bellow she made for those who had trespassed on her preserves. In a trice the men took refuge between the cars, then climbed up and had to make their way through the assembled passengers to the engine. We left the irate bovine pawing the earth and shaking her horns at us. A flock of wild turkeys were routed out of their feeding grounds and everybody wished for a gun. The road bed was built, seemingly, around every water hole or damp place and our seats were kept rocking so that it was only by dint of great care that we kept from falling overboard. At New Smyrna was a grand feast and orating."

The station house was built by Mr. Mace, half the cost was contributed by the public spirited citizens. It was called the prettiest in "South Florida”, It seems strange to find Volusia County spoken of as in "South Florida", since the map shows it well toward the north; but at that time, Tampa was the only town of much importance farther south, and it was small, having a population of 2,000. The depot burned and in 1909, and a new brick one was put in its place.

Excerpt from, The History of DeLand and Lake Helen, Florida.

Written by, Helen Parce DeLand