Wanted: Strawn packinghouse in DeLeon Springs

Arson still under investigation

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Feb 15, 2009 - 8:33:06am

Tourism officials at River of Lakes Heritage Corridor really, really want the Strawn packinghouse in DeLeon Springs. They want to make a citrus museum out of the 1921 building.

Meanwhile, the deteriorating structure at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and Lake Winona Road has become a problem for its owner. He has applied to Volusia County for permission to tear it down.

The Bob White Packing House buildings are in disrepair, but they still house items from the glory days of the citrus industry in West Volusia, when Theodore Strawn ran a prosperous orange-packing operation at 5750 Lake Winona Road.

Strawn built the current packinghouse in 1921. It was designed to be fireproof, after the original facility, built in 1882, burned down.

The property is currently owned by descendant Mark Strawn.

Mark Strawn's father, John Strawn, applied to Volusia County in 2006 for permission to demolish the historic packinghouse complex. Permission was denied, and John deeded the property to son Mark.

On Dec. 26, 2008, a fire the State Fire Marshal's Office called arson destroyed a machine shop on the property. The case is still under investigation, according to Detective Bill Newman.

Firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to the other buildings.

If fire destroys the buildings, owner Mark Strawn is out of luck. No one will insure the aging, vacant buildings, his attorney said.

Mark Strawn also applied for permission to demolish the buildings, and the case was to be heard by the Volusia County Historic Preservation Board in January, but Strawn asked for an extension until May, according to the board's minutes.

That gives the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor people a few months to make a deal for the property.

River of Lakes Program and Partnership Director Jessi Smith said she's been unable to contact Mark Strawn.

On Dec. 18, the week before the fire, River of Lakes Executive Director Renee Tallevast sent Strawn a letter of interest in the property.

The only response, she said, was a request for a contract and payment sent through Strawn's attorney, Alex Ford.

River of Lakes wasn't ready to take that step. They don't have money to buy the property, which is listed for sale at $175,000.

The Beacon wasn't able to contact Strawn, either, but talked to his attorney.

Ford said Strawn will proceed with his request for a permit to demolish the buildings, unless an offer is made first.

Ford was dubious about whether anyone could restore the buildings.

Even the main building, the packinghouse, is "a pretty dilapidated structure," he said, and could cost millions to restore.

Also, Ford said, the packinghouse is off the beaten path of most visitors to West Volusia.

Meanwhile, there's a tremendous amount of trespass, vandalism and attempts to steal metals and materials from the buildings, he said. No one will insure the vacant structures.

Why does the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor want the property?

River of Lakes, however, sees a gem beneath the tarnished exterior.

"We believe this property would make an ideal location for a trailhead facility for the Spring to Spring and St. Johns River to the Sea Loop Trail," Jessi Smith said.

The trail will run along County Road 3 in DeLeon Springs.

The organization also envisions a Florida Museum of Citrus on the site, and restoration of the old packinghouse buildings.

There are grants available, but first, the organization has to acquire the property, Smith explained.

She's asking friends of the project to write the County Council in support of the project.

If the county wants to buy the property, that's fine with the River of Lakes organization.

"Whatever has to happen to save it — we want it saved," Smith said.

— pat@beacononlinenews.com

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