Samuel Frederick deBary

Samuel Frederick deBary was a Mum's Champagne importer who wintered at the Brock House in Enterprise.  Of Belgian descent, deBary was born January 12, 1815 in Germany.

In January 4, 1871, S.F. DeBary bought 3 parcels of land from Oliver and Amanda Arnett.  The property abutted Lake Monroe and was not far from Enterprise and the Brock House.  On high land, overlooking Lake Monroe, and less than a mile from the waters edge is where DeBary built his mansion.   

DeBary Hall is an impressive antebellum mansion designed for entertainment in the grand tradition. It even contained the first swimming pool in Volusia County. The mansion featured twenty rooms, hand blown glass windows, and hand carved cornices.  All seven bedrooms had their own fireplace.  

Frederick DeBary became a shipping mogul owning the side-wheeler George M. Bird, and steamers Fred DeBary, Carrie and City of Sanford. All ships made regular runs  through the east coast on the St. Johns and Halifax Rivers.

Beginning in 1871 DeBary, traveled from New York to spend his winters in DeBary Hall until his death in 1898, it remained the winter home of his family until the pre-mature death of his great-granddaughter in 1941 in an airplane crash.  

Today DeBary Hall is a historical site and visitors are welcomed.  

DeBary Hall Historical Site is open Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. The fee is $3 for adults, $1 for youths age 5-12. Children under age five get in free.

The hall is available for weddings, festivals, and other events. Call Nancy Madddox at (386) 736-5953 for more information.

Guided tours will be offered during operating hours. Upon request, special tours may be provided on other days, for groups of ten or more, with two weeks’ notice. 

Comments or Questions?
Email the

VolusiaHistory.com is a partnership between the
Volusia County Historic Preservation Board
and the Volusia County Government