DeLand in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
First Commercial Store
1877
Photographed By AGS Media, August 1, 2011
1. First Commercial Store Marker
Capt. James B. Jordan came to DeLand in 1876. While serving in a North Carolina regiment during the civil war, Capt. Jordan was wounded and taken prisoner in July 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. Following the war, he came to Florida and opened DeLand's first commercial store in a wood building on this site. A year later he sold all his goods - lock, stock, and barrel, - to George P. Dreka and John G. Kilkoff. This site, then, became the first Dreka store in DeLand. An energetic and successful entrepreneur, Dreka later built a larger store on the corner of E. New York Ave. and Woodland Blvd. in 1882. There he became DeLand's foremost retailer. The wood building that was here burned to the ground in the fire of 1886.Erected by the West Volusia Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Florida - West Volusia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1863.
Location. 29° 1.735′ N, 81° 18.238′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Landis-Fish Building (here, next to this marker); The First Post Office (a few steps from this marker); First Movie House (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Volusia County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Haven Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Volusia County Historic Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); First Public Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilcox Saloon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in DeLand.
More about this marker. The marker is located within the Downtown DeLand Historic District (a National Historic District).
Regarding First Commercial Store. The site where Capt. James Jordan opened his store in 1877 is today the location of the Landis-Fish Building, a two-story, Federal-style, brick office building. First
Photographed By AGS Media, August 1, 2011
2. First Commercial Store Marker
Capt. Jordan decided to devote his time to citrus farming, so he sold the store to Kilkoft and Dreka. John Kilkoft was husband to George Dreka's sister, Eva. Kilkoft died shortly afterward, and Dreka used money from an insurance policy to build a new store just around the corner and one block south in 1882. Dreka built two buildings there, the second one in 1909. It is still in use today by various business and commercial interests, and is also commemorated with a historical marker. (See nearby marker: "Dreka Building")
Also see . . . "The Road to DeLand": G.A. Dreka. Historic photos of Capt. Jordan's first store, and George Dreka. (Submitted on August 13, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida.)
Photographed By AGS Media, August 1, 2011
3. First Commercial Store Site and Marker
Photographed By AGS Media, August 1, 2011
4. The Dreka Building
The building pictured here was built by Dreka in 1909, and was the first reinforced concrete building in Volusia County.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 730 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 12, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
