The Hidden Shrinking Charm of Centennial Square Park
Term Paper for HIS4150 with Dr. Rose Beiler
26 April 2005
Centennial Square Park lies neglected. A white and black lettered sign sits above the park entrance on West Indiana Avenue, cracking and peeling from age.[1] The red bench seating is warped and fairly dirty. Surprisingly enough, the trash receptacles are still emptied and refuse does not plague this little space. It’s hard to believe that this small park, which the city so lobbied for, could fall to disuse so swiftly after its inception. Twenty-nine years after the dedication of Centennial Square Park no one seems to know of its existence any longer. Its existence is even omitted from the online Virtual Tour of Downtown DeLand.[2] The park is startlingly small, occupying only the space behind the buildings along Woodlawn Boulevard from West Indiana Avenue to West Rich Avenue in the heart of downtown DeLand.
This little plot of land has long been vacant, as far back as 1921, used mostly for deliveries or parking spaces for the tenants of the shops.[3] The ‘Alley Project’ was the first attempt of DeLand to beautify an area that normally would be ignored. This originally highly lauded and desired civic area has swiftly become a neglected one through community distancing for a variety of reasons. These reasons include the hidden nature of the park, the competition of other beautification projects coinciding with the development of Centennial Square (including ones that had a higher sentimental value attached to them for citizens) and the city overextending its reach - trying to ‘act’ more like a large urban area, rather than the rural city that it is.
Centennial Square Park was dedicated on December 6th, 1976. Mayor Don Page, along with the president of the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce, Michael Chertok, gave the speeches to declare the official opening of the park. They had lofty goals for the little park. Chertok is quoted as saying, “Let this project be a tribute to the past and used in the future by young and old to recall their heritage.[4]” This statement is incredibly ironic considering that today’s city leaders, including the town historian Bill Dreggors, the DeLand Chamber of Commerce[5], and City Hall, denied any knowledge of the park’s inception or it’s development. This formal dedication ceremony was the culmination of three years of combined work between the city, county, and area Chamber of Commerce. The original proposal for the park was put forth before the city’s centennial, but work officially began in 1976, leading the city to list the project as its Bicentennial/Centennial project.
Both city residents and businesses clearly invest their time and money into the project to create the once beautiful Centennial Square Park. The oldest resident of DeLand, a Mrs. Sarah Hargreaves Brown, 83 at the time, donated a park bench to the project, stating that she “love[d] DeLand and [the] alley project interests” her. The reason for the donation of the bench, rather than a monetary contribution was because she wanted a place to rest when walking downtown.[6] Other DeLand residents who helped with the project included Mr. and Mrs. Michael Batson, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Bennet Jr. (chairman of the downtown development committee of the Chamber of Commerce), Mr. and Mrs. James Clayton (downtown development committee member), Mr. and Mrs. Charles MacMahon (architect involved in the project), Mr. and Mrs. D. William Overton (downtown development committee member), Mr. and Mrs. Donald Page (city mayor) and Mr. David Gibbs. A variety of local business also contributed to Centennial Square. These businesses include Athens of Florida BPW, Barnett Bank of DeLand, Brandon Electrical Supply, DeLand State Bank, DeLand Sun News, First Federal Savings and Loan of Mid-Florida, Florida Bank at DeLand, Rinker Materials and Volusia Marble. In addition to these individuals and businesses some local clubs got into the action as well: the DeLand Jaycees, the DeLand Kiwanis Club, the DeLand Rotary, the DeLand West Volusia Board of Realtors, the Junior Welfare League, the Pilot Club of DeLand, the West Volusia Artists Association, and the West Volusia Home Builders Association.[7]
The ‘Alley Project’, as it was affectionately dubbed from initial planning until the dedication ceremony of the park, was not without its detractors however. Though the project was taken on as a Bicentennial project for the city as a whole, many local business owners were not too pleased with the idea of their prime parking spots being taken away in order to make room for foot traffic. Ed Caffin, owner of a sewing business repeatedly refused to sign away his rights to space outside of his shop on the basis that the alley was necessary in order to complete deliveries to his store.[8] Caffin was shot down because of a hearing in which long-time residents testified that the city had already been maintaining the alley for the previous 40 to 50 years.[9] Citizens also wondered about the “wisdom of spending money to beautify the downtown section of DeLand instead of providing bus service.”[10] Following the claim filed in court by the city to transfer the land of the alley to city property, a petition bearing 15 signatures was submitted to protest the development of the park stating that it “would be too insignificant in size to adequately serve the residents of the city.”[11] The petition also declared that the signers would support any meaningful Bicentennial project but stated that the alley project does not really honor “the spirit of the Bicentennial celebration” as it amounts to “commercialization.” The supporters of the petition did have a valid point, as city council and proponents of the ‘Alley Project’ expected the lease holders of the adjoining stores to not only clean up the rear exterior of their shops, but also be willing to rent out the back portions of their stores to other businesses. The idea was that Centennial Square would become not just a park, but a pedestrian shopping area as well, generating further business for the city.[12]
As it turned out, only 3 of the 15 signatures were from city voters or taxpayers. Mrs. C.E. Bohren believed that opponents of the project initially took the idea lightly as they “didn’t really think the city would be foolish enough to spend so much money on a back alley.[13]” Mrs. Bohren’s statement seems to be the starting echo to recent sentiments about Centennial Square.
Ground breaking for the ‘alley project’ occurred on April 29th, 1976, 10 weeks after when it initially was to begin. To continue to create revenue for the project, the city began selling the bricks that formerly lined the alley as souvenirs with the city’s centennial seal adorning them. The Bicentennial Committee, who was in charge of how the city celebrated not only the nation’s bicentennial, but also the town’s centennial, played a role in the development of the park. As with many cities across the country, DeLand was attempting to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial with as much fanfare as possible.[14] Parades were held, parks were decorated, colonial reenactments were performed and every school within the area of DeLand had some sort of project or festival celebrating the bicentennial. The Bicentennial Committee was in charge of overseeing, or giving approval to the majority of projects listed as for the bicentennial. The committee also pledged the proceeds from the book “Reflections” that was published as a collectors item to the ‘Alley Project.’ “Reflections” covered the history of DeLand, the many organizations within the city, the founders, early life, and so forth. A second series of bricks was also offered with a different city seal affixed as well with proceeds going to the ‘Alley Project’.[15]
By October 2nd, 1976, the DeLand Sun News announced that the alley project would be complete by Halloween, in time for an art show and dedication ceremony held in order to attempt to draw attention to the new park. This was not to be, however, as very little of the foliage had been planted by the end of October. The actual dedication ceremony did not occur until early December, with the park opening for public use on November 1st while contractors finished the park. The art show was still held on October 30th, while workers continued their business.[16]
Some considered Centennial Square Park a first step in city beautification. According to Chertok, the alley was “a start, rather than an end.”[17] The drive for the beautification of DeLand specifically began occurring around 1968, coinciding with a variety of other city beautification projects through out the country.[18] In addition to the Alley Project, the downtown development committee of the DeLand Chamber of Commerce also wanted to attempt to turn the whole of Indiana Avenue into a pedestrian area, with one-way traffic for necessary vehicles, or as a parking lot, again, with one-way traffic.[19] During the creation of Centennial Square, the city was also attempting to court a bus system, in order to reduce car traffic, and trying to decide what to down with the vacant Athens Theatre that sat at the end of West Indiana Avenue on North Florida Avenue. A beautification project focusing on City Hall was also taken into consideration.[20] Few of these projects succeeded in coming to fruition, however, as more focus was put upon revitalizing Woodlawn Boulevard that runs through downtown DeLand.
It can be easily said that DeLand was reaching beyond its grasp with the slew of city beautification projects it was attempting. Around July of 1976, the Athens Theater was slated for the wrecking ball unless any citizen or civic organization chose to purchase it.[21] The air of sentimentality surrounding the Athens led people to stop caring as much about the current Centennial-Bicentennial project that was already in development and latch onto the thought of ‘saving’ the Athens. Since the Athens’ opening in 1922, the theater itself had become a landmark for the town, even when it was out of operation and unoccupied, it still managed to serve as a reminder of what the town was once able to achieve and may reach again.[22] When references to the Athens began appearing in the DeLand Sun News, comments of the “Alley Project” began to shrink in size, and were relegated to the later pages of the paper.
In addition, as previously mentioned, other beautification projects began to appear, each absorbing some of the interest that was previously directed toward the creation of Centennial Square. Plans to beautify Indiana Avenue from North Alabama Avenue through Woodlawn Boulevard to North Florida Avenue also took center stage at some points. The plans for the beautification, which would include limiting traffic to a one-way flow and increasing the number of angled parking spaces on the avenue, were printed in the paper, which is far more than the “alley project” received.[23] Three articles in the month of January alone, including an editorial pushing the beautification of Indiana Avenue, gave much support to the project. Articles surrounding the beautification of Indiana Avenue continued throughout the year, with final plans being offered on October 31st 1976 to the County Council, which had agreed to fund it.[24] This plan never came to fruition however. Indiana Avenue is still open to two-way traffic, but is quite pretty with its tree-lined boulevard.
Another beautification project was also attempted while these other three were being considered. City Hall, and the area around it, was also slated for renovation/beautification work that was planned to include a large parking area, landscaping, and easier to navigate entrances and exits.[25] This also was a project that the county council as well as David Rigsby, the future Mayor of DeLand and the landscape architect who designed Centennial Square, supported. However, this project was also one that would not come to fruition, as Rigsby was already quite busy with the design and creation of Centennial Square. In addition to the various beautification projects that DeLand was attempting during the year of 1976, the DeLand Chamber of Commerce and city council were also attempting to either create or latch onto an existing bus system. Public opinion was swaying toward the creation of the system, but the Chamber of Commerce seemed to believe that the money would be better spent on a park that literally is too small and too hidden for the city to really enjoy.
In fact, a majority of current opinion on Centennial Square Park fits with the belief that since it is not readily visible, it is not important. Repeated trips to the West Volusia Historical Society, the DeLand Library, and the DeLand City Hall have left me with only newspaper copies as my information. When discussing the park with any one, the only response I seem to receive is, “Oh. That thing. Yeah, it’s just kind of there.”[26] Far cry from what the originators of the park hoped for. DeLand’s Centennial Square Park is a perfect example of how community defines a space. While the park is still gorgeous and could be a valuable city asset (as it was originally intended) the fact that no citizens particularly care for it, or find it interesting in anyway, shows that if one did not specifically look for it, one would never find it. Portions of the park have been absorbed by businesses. Previously full sections of parklands now are the location of dumpsters, restaurants, and expanding former businesses. As time begins to pass, less and less people appreciate the charm of Centennial Square, the bitterly fought for alley project, and less and less people even know that it exists.
Centennial Square Park is shrinking. Not just in the memory of the city, but also in actual size. Parts that were once parkland have been reclaimed by businesses, walls have been erected to increase the size of businesses and two rather large dumpsters now occupy the central area of Centennial Square. This park has been disappearing since the day of its own dedication ceremony. The main reason for Centennial Square fading from memory and becoming a useless area even after it was so lobbied for is because the city of DeLand refuses to believe that it is a small city. DeLand and its citizens spread themselves too thin with too many projects, some of which were far more important to the publics’ heart, i.e.: The Athens, that each were not properly funded. The “Alley Project” called upon the citizens of DeLand to lend a hand, to help fund the creation of a park that was supposed to be for everyone. When public interest decline, the Chamber of Commerce stepped in to get the project finished. Between the fact that the park itself is set back away from the main strip of town, destined to be ignored simply because it is out of sight, and the reality that the city just spread itself far too thin, Centennial Square was doomed from the moment that Michael Chertok uttered the fatal words, “Let this project be a tribute to the past and used in the future by young and old to recall their heritage.[27]”
1 Elizabeth Tibbert, Centennial Square, Photograph, 2005, Private Collection of Elizabeth Tibbert.
2 Tinker Graphics and Promotions, Virtual Tour of DeLand, 105 West Indiana Avenue, #2, Deland: 2002, available from < http://www.planetdeland.com/downtown/indiana/picpages/dublin2.htm >.
3 Sanborn Fire Insurance Company, Florida, Volusia County, DeLand Maps, 1921, Sheet 2, New York: Sanborn Fire Co., 2 Feb 1922, available from PALMM, < http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/digital/collections/sanborn/query/UF70000147_Index.html >.
4 Otto Allen, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 6 December 1976, “City’s ‘Centennial Square’ Springs to Life.”
5 DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce. Interview by author, 22 February 2005, DeLand. Written transcript. Private Collection of Elizabeth Tibbert.
6 DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 7 May 1976, “DeLand’s Oldest Homesteader Stakes Her Claim to a Place in Alley Mini-Park.”
7 Elizabeth Tibbert, Dedication Plaque, Photograph, 2005, Private Collection of Elizabeth Tibbert.
8 Otto Allen, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 5 February 1976, “’Alley Project’ Work to Start in 2 Weeks.”
9 Diane Olson, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 13 February 1976, “Beautification Issue: City Files Alley Claim in Court.”
10 Allen, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 5 February 1976, “’Alley Project’ Work to Start in 2 Weeks.”
11 Olson, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 17 February 1976, “15 Sign Petition: ‘Alley Project’ Protest Heard.”
12 Olson, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 17 February 1976, “15 Sign Petition: ‘Alley Project’ Protest Heard.”
13 Olson, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 2 March 1976, “City Reaffirms Support for ‘Alley Project’.”
14 David Lowenthal, The Bicentennial Landscape: A Mirror Held Up to the Past, Geographical Review, Vol. 67, No. 3, (Jul., 1977): 253-267.
15 Allen, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 29 April 1976, “Alley Project Set To Start This Afternoon.”
16 DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 29 October 1976, “West Volusia Calendar.”
17 Allen, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 5 May 1976, “Chamber Eyes Alley, Buses, Cleanup Day.”
18 Robert C. Twombly, “Undoing the City: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Planned Communities,” American Quarterly, Vol. 24. No. 4, (October 1972): 538-549.
19 DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 22 January 1976, “Plan to Beautify Indiana Ave. Viewed.”
20 DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 1 March 1976, “City Hall Beautification Discussed This Month.”
21 DeLand Sun News (Deland), 7 July 1976.
22 Karen Renton, “Nickels and Dimes: The Athens Theater.” (B.A. Term Paper, University of Central Florida, 2005), entirety.
23 Allen, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 22 January 1976, “Plan to Beautify Indiana Ave. Viewed.”
24 Dal Ritchey, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 31 October 1976, “View From The Chamber.”
25 DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 1 March 1976.
26 Bill Dreggors, Interview by author, 22 February 2005, DeLand, written transcript, Private Collection of Elizabeth Tibbert.
27 Otto Allen, DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 6 December 1976, “City’s ‘Centennial Square’ Springs to Life.”
Works Cited
Allen, Otto. DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 22 January 1976. “Plan to Beautify Indiana Ave. Viewed.” Details talk of Alley project and Indiana Ave. plans.
---------. DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 5 February 1976. “‘Alley Project’ Work to Start in 2 Weeks.” Details talks of bus system and alley project.
---------. DeLand Sun News (DeLand), 29 April 1976, “Alley Project Set To Start This Afternoon.” Groundbreaking. Includes image of bricks sold to raise money.
---------. DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 5 May 1976. “Chamber Eyes Alley, Buses, Cleanup Day.” Exactly what the title of the article lists, shows DeLand taking on more activities that it can really complete.
---------. DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 6 December 1976. “City’s ‘Centennial Square’ Springs to Life.” Details dedication and lists who made speeches and the content of said speeches.
DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce. Interview by author, 22 February 2005, DeLand. Written transcript. Private Collection of Elizabeth Tibbert. Incredibly helpful in determining city’s current disassociation from park.
DeLand Sun News. (DeLand), January 1976 – December 1976. First hand accounts of results of developmental meetings regarding the park. Details citizen reaction as well as establishes a time line in regards to park creation.
DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 22 January 1976. “Plan to Beautify Indiana Ave. Viewed.” Shows actual plan of Indiana Ave, graphically.
DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 1 March 1976. “City Hall Beautification Discussed This Month.” Shows actual plan of City Hall project, graphically.
DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 7 May 1976. “DeLand’s Oldest Homesteader Stakes Her Claim to a Place in Alley Mini-Park.” Includes photograph of Mrs. Sarah Hargreaves Brown.
DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 29 October 1976. “West Volusia Calendar.” Lists plans for Oct. 30th opening of park.
Dreggors, Bill. Interview by author, 22 February 2005, DeLand. Written transcript. Private Collection of Elizabeth Tibbert. Provides background for city’s current view of park as well as former establishments that once were in the current space of the park.
Lowenthal, David. The Bicentennial Landscape: A Mirror Held Up to the Past. Geographical Review, Vol. 67, No. 3. (July, 1977): 253-267. Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0016-7428%28197707%2967%3A3%3C253%3ATBLAMH%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U shows how other towns/cities celebrated the bicentennial, useful in putting DeLand into the bigger picture.
Olson, Diane. DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 13 February 1976. “Beautification Issue: City Files Alley Claim in Court.” Explains how city is attempting to claim land behind businesses.
---------. DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 17 February 1976. “15 Sign Petition: ‘Alley Project’ Protest Heard.” Includes quote about city being silly for spending money on alley.
---------. DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 2 March 1976. “City Reaffirms Support for ‘Alley Project’.” Results of petition.
Renton, Karen. “Nickels and Dimes: The Athens Theater from 1922 to Present.” B.A. Term Paper, University of Central Florida, 2005. Details the history of the Athens Theater and how it fits into the community.
Ritchey, Dal. DeLand Sun News (DeLand). 31 October 1976. “View From The Chamber.” Talks about 1st dedication ceremony of Centennial Square.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Company. Florida, Volusia County, DeLand Maps, 1921, Sheet 2. New York: Sanborn Fire Co., 2 Feb 1922. Available from PALMM, < http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/digital/collections/sanborn/query/UF70000147_Index.html >.Accessed 8 March 2005. Shows that alley has existed in the same space since 1922.
Stephenson, R. Bruce. Visions of Eden: environmentalism, urban planning and city building in St. Petersburg, Florida, 1900-1995. Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1997. Contributes to general knowledge base of city planning. Shows difference between Florida’s mentality towards preserving civic spaces and other areas.
Tibbert, Elizabeth. Centennial Square. Photograph. 2005. Private Collection of Elizabeth Tibbert. Provides pictorial representation of park, includes names of contributors.
---------, Dedication Plaque. Photograph. 2005. Private Collection of Elizabeth Tibbert. Shows dedication plaque of Centennial Square, including names of all contributors.
---------, Untitled. Photograph. 2005. Private Collection of Elizabeth Tibbert. Shows layout of present day park, to be compared to initial drawings for plans.
Tinker Graphics and Promotions. Virtual Tour of DeLand, 105 West Indiana Avenue, #2. Deland: 2002. Available from < http://www.planetdeland.com/downtown/indiana/picpages/dublin2.htm. > Accessed 8 March 2005. Shows city’s disassociation from the park by not even showing the park on the website.
Twombly, Robert C. “Undoing the City: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Planned Communities.” American Quarterly. Vol. 24. No. 4. (October 1972): 538-549. Provides general background about city planning, in regards to cities versus suburbs and preservation of natural beauty.
Williamson, Ronald. “An Ugly Newcomer in Centennial Square.” Daytona Beach News-Journal. (24 May 1998). Displays current (or most recent) view of park, including slang dating the piece as well as public opinion on a whole.
All contents copyright Elizabeth Tibbert 2005.