De Leon Springs in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Hotel Clubhouse

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 15, 2021

1. The Hotel Clubhouse Marker

Inscription.
In the early 1920s, F. N. Conrad purchased the spring and some of the surrounding property. His plan was to "preserve and enhance the natural beauty of this historical place." With a design from a landscape architect, Conrad constructed the Ponce de Leon Hotel in 1925.

The Clubhouse, now a park residence, was built as a place for guests' relaxation and recreation (note the couches and the tennis racquets hanging on the wall). The hotel also offered a playground, picnicking, a children's wading pool, and boating. After an active day, guests would enjoy "home grown poultry and vegetables" served in the dining room.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 29° 8.024′ N, 81° 21.834′ W. Marker is in De Leon Springs, Florida, in Volusia County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Ponce Deleon Boulevard and South County Road 3. Marker is located within De León Springs State Park, near the west side of the Old Spanish Sugar Mill. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Ponce Deleon Boulevard, De Leon Springs FL 32130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Fountain of Youth (within shouting distance of this marker); Sugar Mill Machinery

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Who Built the Sugar Mill? (within shouting distance of this marker); Sugar Mill Wheel (within shouting distance of this marker); Ponce De Leon Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); DeLeon Springs Colored School (approx. 1.7 miles away); H.L. Wynns’s Commissary (approx. 4.9 miles away); Swedish Pioneer Memorial (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in De Leon Springs.

Also see . . . De Leon Springs State Park History.

The property became one of over 100 roadside attractions in the state when it opened as Ponce de Leon Springs in 1953. It featured tropical gardens, a jungle cruise, tram tour and a water-skiing elephant! Interstate highways and air travel combined to cause the attraction to close after about 16 years. The property was then operated as a private recreational park until 1982, when the state of Florida and Volusia County purchased 55 acres that became De Leon Springs State Park.

(Submitted on April 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: From a Poster Advertising the Hotel image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: From a Poster Advertising the Hotel

(showing the Ponce De Leon Hotel)

Marker detail: The Clubhouse image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: The Clubhouse

Marker detail: The Clubhouse Interior image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: The Clubhouse Interior

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 15, 2021

5. The Hotel Clubhouse Marker

(former Hotel Clubhouse in background)

The Hotel Clubhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 15, 2021

6. The Hotel Clubhouse

(now a park residence)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.