Interstate 4 West - Daytona Beach to DeBary

Interstate 4

DeLand began in 1876 after Henry A. DeLand purchased the land, settled there, and encouraged others to invest in area property. DeLand founded the DeLand Academy, which later became Stetson University, after benefactor John B. Stetson and the request of John DeLand himself. New York Avenue (SR 44) derives its name from DeLand's home state of New York.3

Orange City was started by Dr. Seth French and company in 1874 with a purchase of 5,000 acres. The town derives its name from the numerous orange groves planted in the area. Orange City was incorporated in 1882.4

Deltona began as a Mackle Brothers vision in 1962 with the purchase of 17,203 acres. The developers aspired to build a master-planned retirement community with 35,143 lots. Construction followed soon thereafter, with the initial population living in Deltona by April of 1963. By 1991, 52,000 called Deltona home. Unincorporated until a successful vote on December 31, 1995,5 the city now boasts over 90,000 residents.

DeBary incorporated in 1993 to prevent annexation by the larger Orange City to the north. The community was founded by Frederick DeBary with a 400-acre purchase of land in 1871.6

The community of Enterprise lies along the north shore of Lake Monroe one mile east of Interstate 4. Enterprise consists of an unincorporated community rich in history. During the 1800s, Enterprise became a weekend destination for area residents with its mineral springs, lakeside access, and steamboat access to Jacksonville. Enterprise was the first county seat for Volusia in 1854. Later the town became a railroad depot along the Jacksonville Tampa and Key West Railroad.7

Interstate 4 crosses the St. Johns River into Seminole County. The name St. Johns is based on the Catholic mission established in 1578 on Fort St. George Island near the river's mouth, the San Juan del Puero. The River took the name Rio de San Juan because of that. Rio de San Juan translated to St. Johns River in English, and the name has remained ever since.9

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References:

  1. I-95 Widening and Systems Interchange Reconstruction Design-Build from North of S.R. 44 to North of U.S. 92 - 242715-2. FDOT District 5, project web site.
  2. Lake Helen, Florida - Community Information of Lake Helen Florida. http://www.volusia.com/lakehelen/
  3. City of DeLand, Florida - Virtual Tour - The History of DeLand http://www.deland.org/ tour/history_overview.htm, City of DeLand.
  4. City of Orange City, Florida -- Orange City Town History. http://www.ci.orange-city.fl.us/ index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B3A964F0C- F92B-43E6-8947-0B107833C839%7D
  5. City of Deltona - General Information - City History. http://cideltona.zgraph.com/ 2001/generalinfo/history.html
  6. DeBary, Florida. Wikipedia.org.
  7. History of Enterprise http://www.oldenterprise.org/ History.htm, Oldenterprise.org.
  8. "Bypass blazes happy trail - Traffic-weary residents of Enterprise walking on air." Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL), August 1, 2010.
  9. St. Johns River. Wikipedia.org.
  10. Photo Credits:

    • Alex Nitzman: 09/12/22, 09/13/22
    • ABRoads: 05/24/17
    • Alex Nitzman, JP Nasiatka: 02/12/24

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    Page Updated Tuesday February 13, 2024.