Volusia 

In 1870, The population of Volusia was 1723, By 1880 it had increased to 3294. While Daytona and Ormond were being established on the eastern side of the county, there was a constant influx of settlers on the western part. The St. Johns River had become a highhway of travel. Early in the seventies two steamboat lines were making regular schedules. one the Frederick DeBary line and the other the old Brock line. These were later increased by an independent line, and the St. Johns River fleet had by 1880 a dozen steamers plying between Jacksonville and Lake Monroe. The DeBary line carried the mail daily, stopping at several landings in Volusia County. The Steamers of this line were, the Frederick DeBary, Captain Shaw commanding; the George M. Bird, Captain Amazeen; the Rosa, Captain Smith; the Florence, Captain Brock; and the Sylvan Glen, which had previously been running on the New York and Harlem Line. The "Pioneer" or Brock Line comprised four vessels, the Arrow, Captain Payne, which ran twice weekly; the Volusia, Captain Lund, which ran weekly; with the Fox and Daylight, which were used largely as excursion steamers. The Independent Line had only one boat, the City of Sanford, Captain Rhodes commanding, which ran twice weekly. In these clays, before the building of the railroads the St. Johns River could boast of more traffic than at the present time.

Except from, History of Volusia County, Florida

Written by, Pleasant Daniel Gold