Otherwise, much of the surroundings are timberland. U.S 17 and S.R. 40 intersect in Barberville, another unincorporated community consisting of a handful of businesses and the nearby Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts, a nonprofit, interactive organization showcasing Florida s Cracker history. From Barberville, S.R. 40 continues east past the Volusia Speedway Park, where stock car races are held nine months out of the year, before continuing east to Ormond Beach. U.S. 17 proceeds south from Barberville to the unincorporated community of DeLeon Springs, named for the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce DeLeon. It s home to DeLeon Springs State Recreation Area, a popular swimming site and launching point for boaters to enter Spring Garden Lake and Lake Woodruff.
Agriculture remains an important mainstay here, too, with citrus and fern leading the way.
Spring Garden Ranch is a noted training facility for horse racing. There are also several leading industries based in DeLeon Springs. U.S. 17 links up with U.S. 92 on the north side of DeLand, the county seat and home of Stetson University. While agricultural enterprises can be found in the surrounding parts of the county, DeLand has a growing industrial and commercial base that complements the rebirth of its historic downtown area and many government offices. Both are relatively recently incorporated, with Deltona becoming a city five years ago and DeBary a year or two later.