What is the oldest private college in Florida?

Stetson University in DeLand, founded November 5, 1883 as DeLand Academy and renamed John B. Stetson University in 1889.

DeLand Hall, built 1884, is the first building in Florida continuously used for higher education. It is still in use on the Stetson University campus.

Who founded Stetson University?

Henry A. DeLand and Dr. John H. Griffith, on November 5, 1883, in the lecture room of the First Baptist Church of DeLand.

Why is it called Stetson University?

It was renamed from DeLand University in 1889 to honor John B. Stetson, whose philanthropy sustained it.

Is Stetson older than Rollins College?

Yes. Stetson was founded in 1883, two years before Rollins (1885).

DeLand Hall at Stetson University built 1884, Florida's first continuously-used higher education building

Stetson University — Florida's Oldest Private College

Quick answer: Stetson University in DeLand, Florida is the oldest private college in the state. It was founded by Henry A. DeLand as DeLand Academy on November 5, 1883, and renamed John B. Stetson University in 1889. DeLand Hall, built 1884, is the first building in Florida continuously used for higher education.

Location

Address: 421 N Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32720 (DeLand Hall)
Hours: Campus open daily; admissions tours by appointment
Get directions on Google Maps

How a New York baking-soda magnate started a university

In the First Baptist Church of DeLand's lecture room on November 5, 1883, Henry A. DeLand and Dr. John H. Griffith inaugurated DeLand Academy [S20].

In 1884, DeLand Hall was built — now the first building in Florida continuously used for higher education [S19].

The institution was incorporated as DeLand University in 1887 and renamed John B. Stetson University in 1889 to honor the hat-maker whose philanthropy kept it solvent [S19, S20].

DeLand Hall — 1884

DeLand Hall, erected in 1884, became the first building in Florida continuously used for higher education [S19].

Architecture and campus district

The university campus comprises the Stetson University Historic Campus District, featured on walking tours by the West Volusia Historical Society and Walking DeLand Tours [S38, S39].

Stetson Campus walking tour

Why "oldest private college in Florida"

Stetson (founded 1883) predates Rollins College in Winter Park (founded 1885) by two years [S19, S78].
Stetson became accredited and chartered earlier as a university, cementing the "oldest private college" title [S19, S20].

Henry A. DeLand biography John B. Stetson biography Stetson Mansion

All LandmarksEvery signature Historic DeLand landmark.Go there Walking Tours9 self-guided walking tours.Go there Places DirectoryEvery notable place in Historic DeLand.Go there Timeline12,000 BCE to today.Go there

Frequently asked questions

What is the oldest private college in Florida?: Stetson University in DeLand, founded November 5, 1883 as DeLand Academy and renamed John B. Stetson University in 1889. [S19, S20]
What is DeLand Hall?: DeLand Hall, built 1884, is the first building in Florida continuously used for higher education. It is still in use on the Stetson University campus. [S19]
Who founded Stetson University?: Henry A. DeLand and Dr. John H. Griffith, on November 5, 1883, in the lecture room of the First Baptist Church of DeLand. [S20]
Why is it called Stetson University?: It was renamed from DeLand University in 1889 to honor John B. Stetson, whose philanthropy sustained it. [S19]
Is Stetson older than Rollins College?: Yes. Stetson was founded in 1883, two years before Rollins (1885). [S19, S78]