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
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. It can be reached from the intersection of Ponce Deleon Boulevard and South County Road 3. Marker is located within De Leσn Springs State Park, near the west side of the Old Spanish Sugar Mill. Touch for map. Marker is at or near
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Fountain of Youth (within shouting distance of this marker); Sugar Mill Machinery (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); How Old Are the Live Oak Trees? (within shouting distance of this marker); De Leon Springs Becomes a State Park (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line);
2. Marker detail: From a Poster Advertising the Hotel
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.)
3. Marker detail: The Clubhouse
4. Marker detail: The Clubhouse Interior
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 15, 2021
5. The Hotel Clubhouse Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 15, 2021
6. The Hotel Clubhouse
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 332 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
