The Land Around Us – Deltona, Florida

Article by: Louise Caccamise | Photos by: Bob Dunham

This month as we continue our “The Land Around Us” series, we will visit Deltona, a near neighbor to the east. Recently developed, compared to other towns in Volusia County, Deltona was a planned community that was officially started in November 1962 under the name of Deltona Lakes. Over 10,000 attended the grand opening that featured the unveiling by the Mackle Brothers of eight model homes that are still standing today on Deltona Boulevard.

The Mackle family building business was begun in 1908 by Frank, Sr. who was a building contractor in the South for thirty years. In the late 1930s, his three sons, Frank, Jr., Elliott, and Robert took over the family business and constructed hundreds of homes in south Florida. They became one of the leading builders in the nation. After purchasing over 17,000 acres of land in Volusia County, they built over 4,000 homes in eight years. Because of their worldwide marketing efforts, Deltona (named for DeLand and Daytona) became the fastest growing community in the county with over 85,000 residents at the last census. Today there are many parks in the area with an outstanding example being Thornby Park overlooking Lake Monroe. Here visitors can picnic and relax in a peaceful setting.

The Mackle family building business was begun in 1908 by Frank, Sr. who was a building contractor in the South for thirty years. In the late 1930s, his three sons, Frank, Jr., Elliott, and Robert took over the family business and constructed hundreds of homes in south Florida. They became one of the leading builders in the nation. After purchasing over 17,000 acres of land in Volusia County, they built over 4,000 homes in eight years. Because of their worldwide marketing efforts, Deltona (named for DeLand and Daytona) became the fastest growing community in the county with over 85,000 residents at the last census. Today there are many parks in the area with an outstanding example being Thornby Park overlooking Lake Monroe. Here visitors can picnic and relax in a peaceful setting.

In 1976, The Deltona Public Library opened at 2150 Eustace Avenue. It contains a nature-based gift shop and a special collection of materials on environmental studies useful for classes at the Lyonia Educational Center. It is situated adjacent to the Lyonia Preserve, a 360-acre bird sanctuary with three and a half miles of walking trails through the Florida scrub. An outdoor 1,000-seat amphitheater provides space for educational programs, community gatherings and concerts.

The Deltona Veterans’ Memorial Park and Museum is located on the northeast corner of Elkcam Boulevard and Evard Avenue. It is a story of a community pulling together and of the achievement of a dedicated group of veterans. Beginning in 2001, thirteen veterans volunteered to help with the clearing of the nine-acre park. During the next two years more veterans joined in the cause and in April 2003, a sign proclaiming Veterans’ Memorial Park went up. The next year the Park received a Bell Cobra AH-1F Helicopter for display. The Wall of Honor for those who had served their country quickly filled with names and another wall was added. A Parks and Recreation Department in Jacksonville donated a pavilion that became the Mess Hall, or picnic pavilion. Eagle Scouts became involved in projects and benches and monuments were added.

In November 2004, the park officially opened with a dedication ceremony. But the veterans wanted a museum so much that a groundbreaking was held the next year, even before fundraising began. The City of Deltona agreed to match funds raised up to $150,000. The fundraising then went into high gear with local organizations, churches and many individuals taking part. Garage sales, bowling tournaments and the sale of many small items such as t-shirts and bumper stickers took place. Two years later, Southwest Volusia’s Memorial Day Service was held for the first time in Deltona Veterans Memorial Park. 

The group of veterans continued their work. It was felt that our youth did not have a clear idea about our wars or the mission of veterans. Groups such as the American Legion and its Ladies Auxiliary, VFWs, Korean War Veterans and other military groups joined forces to form Veterans Community Education Partnership of West Volusia, Inc., known as VCEP. They worked together to provide education to groups and to schools. The mission to build the museum became even greater.

In 2008, enough money had been raised to start building the museum. When completed, donations of historic objects such as uniforms, photographs, newspaper articles, books and movies all started coming in. With each article came the task of recording where it came from, what it represented and the donor’s name.

The Grand Opening was held on May 24, 2009. Since then thousands of adults and school children have visited the museum and park and have come to a greater understanding and appreciation of our history. Here Boy Scouts have earned their Eagle Scout recognition. Re-enactments and memorial services have been held. Veterans have been honored and visitors have sat in the park, shared stories and remembered loved ones. Til’ we meet again, happy trails!

View our most recent Village Life Magazine to learn more about community updates, events, and news happening here at John Knox Village of Central Florida.