36th Historic Oakdale Cemetery Walk
Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, 2025
Reserve your 75 minute tour time slot between the hours of 6:00 and 7:20 pm
The Old Settlers' Association was an exclusive group. Its scores of members had one important thing in common: all settled in this vicinity prior to 1886. DeLand was founded in 1876 and Lake Helen a few years later, so the old settlers included men and women who established the first stores, the first sawmills, and they raised money for the first churches and schools. Members were the first doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers, citrus growers, druggists, and politicians. DeLand's first bride and groom were members, as were builders of the first log cabin. Join us as we meet up with these intrepid adventurers who settled this wild frontier 150 years ago.
Walking tours are for 75 minutes and depart every 20 minutes from the Oakdale Cemetery Clara Avenue entrance between the hours between 6:00 and 7:20 pm. Call 386-740-6813 to reserve your specific tour time.
$25 for adults; $20 for WVHS members; $15 for children under the age of 12.
Advance reservation for reserved tour times is required. Deadline for reservations is Thursday, March 26th at 4 pm. Tickets on site available only on a space-available basis with cash or check.
Purchase Tickets
Call: 386.740.6813. Credit card.
In-person: Conrad Center, 137 W. Michigan Ave. in DeLand. Tues - Saturday, 12 noon - 4 pm; credit card, check or cash.
Tickets and Reservations
About the Guided Tour
Check in at the Oakdale Cemetery entrance closest to Plymouth Avenue at 800 N. Clara Avenue.
Please check-in 10 minutes prior to your reserved tour time.
Parking is available on Stetson Street or Oakdale Avenue. Plan ahead for time to park and walk to the check-in desk at the cemetery entrance (800 N. Clara Ave). Parking is not allowed within the gates of the cemetery. Drivers may drop guests off at check-in before parking.
Arrival and Parking
Oakdale Cemetery is one of the largest historic cemeteries in Volusia County with more than 15,000 grave sites.
Guests will walk the short route in groups of 15 - 20 people. If you are attending in a particular group, please give individual names when you make your reservation and make payment.
Group tours depart every 20 minutes between 6:00 and 7:20 pm. Meet your tour guide at the designated check in area at the 800 N Clara Avenue entrance to the Cemetery.
Accessibility
The walking tour is through Oakdale Cemetery on paved walkways but all guests must be prepared for uneven pavement and be able to navigate with lighting provided by lanterns and flashlights. Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for the "Florida great outdoors". A limited number of chairs is available at each tour stop.
A handicapped parking area is available in the Cemetery. Guides are not able to assist guests in getting in or out of vehicles, push wheelchairs or assist persons using a walker or walking with a cane.
Celebrating DeLand's Sesquicentennial
The Old Settler's Society
Characters you will meet on the walk
Captain John Rich (1839-1886) & Clara Wright Rich (1851-1926)
John Batterson Stetson (1829-1906) was a Philadelphia hatmaker and philanthropist who invested in Henry DeLand's vision of the Athens of Florida and to Stetson University. Although not a member of the Old Settlers' Society, he built a winter home in DeLand in 1886. Played by Boz Tchividjian
Colonel Christopher Collins Codrington (1826-1891)
Roswell Caulkins Bushnell (1864-1954) was a founding member of the Old Settlers' Society. A charter member and director of the DeLand Orchestra, he also founded the Bushnell Grocery on the corner of Woodland and Indiana in 1886. Played by Stan O'Neal
Hettie Schireley Austin (1844-1927) Hettie and her husband were among the first settlers in Persimmon Hollow. She was secretary and historian for the Old Settlers' Society. Played by Cheryl Floyd
Henry Addison DeLand (1834-1908) & daughter Helen Parce DeLand (1869-1956)
