Right in the heart of Deland, Florida, you’ll find the grand John Dutton House, a true architectural gem. This beautiful mansion was built by John Wesley Dutton, who moved from Georgia and made his fortune in naval stores and lumber. Around the early 1900s, Dutton was a big name in the turpentine business, and like many at the time, he also invested in citrus and lumber, the backbone industries of Central Florida.
The mansion was designed by the well-known architectural firm Cairns & Fitcher, and the construction was expertly handled by local contractor Gus Lauman. Finished in 1911, the house spans an impressive 8,000 square feet and cost $25,000 to build—a hefty sum at the time. It features striking Corinthian columns along the front, supporting layered verandas decorated with detailed scroll brackets, modillions, and dentils. The roof and gable ends are set off by ceramic tile panels. Today, the John Dutton House is one of the few surviving examples of the extravagant homes that once dotted Volusia County, standing as a proud reminder of the lavish style and detailed craftsmanship of that era.
In 1924, Dutton and his family engaged in a home swap with the vice president of a local bank, marking a new chapter for the residence. By the 1940s, the property changed hands again and underwent a transformation into the Griffith-Stith Funeral Parlor. For nearly two decades, it served as a place of mourning before being repurposed into a meeting hall. Subsequently, it was sold once more and transformed into apartments, catering to the housing needs of the community. Over time, it evolved into the Colonial Guest Home, welcoming travelers seeking temporary accommodations, before eventually becoming known as the Colonial Arms Apartments.
However, the property faced financial challenges in 1990 when the bank foreclosed on it, listing it for sale at $129,000. Despite efforts to find a buyer, the property remained unsold, prompting the bank to pursue demolition, which received approval from the Deland City Commission.
A ray of hope emerged in 1992 when a compassionate couple offered the bank $90,000 to rescue the historic house from destruction. Despite the significant damage inflicted by termites, estimated at over $225,000 in renovation costs, the new owners embarked on a mission to restore the mansion’s former glory. They envisioned a five-year restoration journey and established a nonprofit organization to rally community support for the project. Their ultimate goal was to transform the house into a museum or an enchanting wedding venue, inviting the public to share in its rich history and architectural splendor.
Unfortunately, the restoration efforts faced a setback when the new owner fell ill, prompting a plea to the city to assume responsibility for the project. Recognizing the importance of preserving the Dutton House, the city agreed to intervene, preferring to entrust the restoration to a nonprofit organization dedicated specifically to the preservation of this historic gem.
Back in 1995, a dedicated nonprofit named Historic Deland Inc. was created to lead the restoration of the Dutton House. Thanks to their hard work, they managed to snag several state grants to kickstart the renovations. However, as time went on, the original board members began to leave, and by 2005 a new group took over, renaming the organization Dutton House Inc. to clear up any confusion with the Historical Society of Deland. This new board was able to secure two more grants, keeping the restoration efforts alive until 2008.
Then the recession hit, drying up funding with no state money coming in for the project from 2008 to 2011. Despite these financial hurdles, the passion to restore the Dutton House didn’t wane. Now, nearly 25 years since the restoration began, the Dutton House is still a work in progress. It stands as a powerful symbol of the ongoing commitment to preserve a piece of history for future generations to appreciate.
Photography By: Leland Kent of Abandoned Southeast