Stetson University - Hatter Yearbook (DeLand, FL)

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' 1. Famous hat manufacturer John B. Stetson contributed about $1,000,000 to Stetson University during his lifetime. 2. Located on Camphor Lane, the Stetson Mansion still stands today. 3. Faculty and students of the early university pose in front of Elizabeth Hall. 4. DeLand Hall, the oldest university building in Florida, is shown here as it appeared before its recent renovation. 5. DeLand ' s first schoolhouse, shovi ' n here, was erected in 1877 and remained open for only two years. Henry DeLand recognized the need for another school in 1883. 6. Henry A. DeLand was the founder of the school which eventually grew to become the Stetson University of today. 7. DeLand was sparsely populated in the late 1800 ' s, as shown by this artist ' s aerial conception of the town at that time. 8. The businessmen of early DeLand were instrumental in their support of the fledgling school. 9. The fields of early DeLand were used for the cultivation of citrus fruit as well as the cultivation of minds. Opening 5

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DeLand ' s Dream Becomes Reality Henry A. DeLand launched the development of Stetson University ' in the fall of 1883. Mr. DeLand, a successful New York businessman and a former baking powder manufacturer, moved to Florida with a dream. He hoped to make the area, now known as DeLand, a cultural and religious center for Florida. This endeavor began when Mr. DeLand organized a school at the area Baptist church on November 5, 1883. The pastor of the church, Dr. }. H. Griffith, served as the principal until the spring of 1885. Mr. DeLand set out to clear four acres of land on the corner of Woodland Boulevard and Minnesota Avenue and erect a building to house the school, known as DeLand Academy. Completed in the spring of 1884, DeLand Hall was to become the cornerstone of Stetson University. At the same time, a committee of the Florida Baptist Convention was looking for a site on which to establish a women ' s college. The Baptist leaders opted instead to cooperate with the new coeducational institution of higher learning in DeLand and began a relationship of mutual support which has endured through the years. In his attempt to raise finances. Dr. Forbes encouraged John B. Stetson, the famous hat manufacturer and new- resident of DeLand, to donate to the building of a new dormitory. Mr. Stetson agreed to contribute on the condition that the building have indoor plumbing Stetson Hall opened in 1886. In 1889, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the college to that of its greatest benefactor, John B. Stetson, who contin- ued his invaluable support until his death in 1906. Hi1 lillilHiiir-iiB 1 L N JOHN B. STETSON. v-)- -iv ., -I... -,..p , ' ' • t Ui- 4 Organizations

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Sentry. Keep the faith. You are with us. Though unseen. In our heart. ;! ' ' l ' - ' ' . J. . i HFStil si£M lyieff 11. r..- ; . . RHP | ' :; 4 ' ' . — m fUJL- - - =—7 ■ - ' .. rj- ■ • B-w Koi Ji ' - - -r:- ' «• . -.- 6 Opening