Melinda Sells Daytona

"Orange City, Florida"

The City is proud of its small town ambiance, while offering all the amenities necessary for today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Residents are fortunate to have some of the safest and most affordable neighborhoods in Volusia County. One can choose to live in a single-family home, manufactured home, condominiums or even rental apartments.

Because of its desirable location in Volusia County, several gated communities are being developed in the area. Within the City of Orange City there are many homes that are graced with medium and estate-sized lots. These lots have many large trees, which helped Orange City to become designated as “Tree City USA.”

Orange City Town History

The “Town” of Orange City has made a “Step Back in Time” to let you to see how our city became what it is today and to share some interesting facts.

Town Hall was built in 1928 at a cost of $20,000 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. The bell in the tower at Town Hall weighs 517 pounds.
The “Town” of Orange City has made this page of our website a “Step Back in Time” to let you to see how our city became what it is today and to share some interesting facts.
The first inhabitants in the Orange City area were Timucua Indians.
By 1820, the original natives had become extinct due to disease and war.
In the early 1850’s, Louis and Mary Ann Thursby became permanent residents at Blue Spring on the St. Johns River.
Dr. Seth French traveled the St. Johns River by steamboat in 1870.
In 1874, Dr. French and six friends purchased about 5,000 acres of land and started the town that became Orange City.
In 1875, H. H. DeYarman founded the first hotel in what would become Orange City (The hotel still exists and is called the Heritage Inn).
The first public school in Volusia County was founded in Orange City in 1878.
Orange City was named for the thousands of acres of orange groves planted in and around the city, which was incorporated as a city in 1882.
The Big Freeze of 1894-1895 wiped out the citrus industry in Orange City and much of the rest of Florida.
Orange City Waterworks began supplying water to homes in Orange City in 1895.
Orange City water was shipped worldwide and even won an award at the St. Louis World's Fair for its excellence.
The Dickinson Memorial Library, which still serves the City, was dedicated in 1919.
Orange City has established its own Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Sites.

ORANGE CITY HOME OF BLUE SPRINGS PARK

Blue Spring State Park covers more than 2,600 acres including the largest spring on the St. Johns River. Blue Spring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. The spring and spring run are closed during Manatee season, mid-November through March, swimming or diving with manatees is not permitted, this rule is strictly enforced.
For centuries, the spring area was home for Native Americans. In 1766 it was visited by Colonial American botanist John Bartram, but it was not until 1856 that it was settled by Louis Thursby and his family. The Thursby house, built in 1872, remains standing. The spring´s crystal clear, 73 degree water can be enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers, and certified scuba divers with a partner. The river is popular for fishing, canoeing, and boating. River boat tours are available; for reservations, call St. Johns River Cruises at (386) 917-0724. The park has plenty of picnic areas and a hiking trail. For overnight stays, air-conditioned cabins, a full-facility campground and primitive campsites are available. This is a very popular park on weekends. To ensure entrance into the park, we recommend arriving early, otherwise, the parking area will be full and you may not be able to enter.