TOWERING — Rendering of what a reconstructed Hulley Tower would look like from inside the Stetson University campus. The proposed tower would be very close to the original and use some of the existing bricks that were part of the historical tower.
Stetson University is in the early stages of a historical reconstruction of Hulley Tower, located at 512 N. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand.
On April 10, the City of DeLand approved a height variance request made by Stetson University regarding the reconstruction of the historical tower that once stood at 116 feet on Stetson’s campus.
The original tower was completed in 1934. After sustaining damage in the 2004-5 hurricane season, the historic tower was dismantled in 2005 due to public safety concerns.
Stetson University has maintained the base of the tower, as it is still the burial location of the university’s second president, Lincoln Hulley, his wife Eloise, and their dog.
ONCE — A view of Hulley Tower in the 1960s. The bells of
the tower once signaled significant moments on campus
(like dinnertime) until they fell silent and the tower was dismantled after hurricane damage in the 2004-05 hurricane
season.
According to City Planning Director Carol Kuhn, the proposed tower would be similar in nature to the original, reaching 116 feet — including 10 feet of a spire — and would utilize some of the existing bricks that were a part of the historical tower.
Speaking with Beacon staff, Associate Vice President of Development and Communications Amy Gipson described how the effort to reconstruct Hulley Tower began as an “alumni-led, grass roots campaign.”
“We have also applied for a state historic preservation grant, and we should know this summer if we will receive that,” said Gipson. “We’d love to begin work on Hulley Tower within the next year, pending our fundraising efforts. At homecoming, this fall we hope to host a groundbreaking ceremony.”
Hulley Haunted?
Legend has it, long ago, a young Stetson University student by the name of Suzanna Brown threw herself off of Hulley Tower — a 116-foot-tall bell tower demolished in 2005 — after her affair with a married professor was exposed.
Up until the tower was finally taken down, there were reports of seeing a ghostly figure early in the morning, stepping off the top of the tower.
— Eli Witek, in a haunted places of Volusia County feature in 2021
Gipson described the significance of the reconstruction of Hulley Tower, from both a historical and cultural perspective.
“Hulley Tower holds so many wonderful memories for many of our alumni. They heard the bells ring at the start of the day, and the bells signaled dinner time. The bells rang out during significant moments on campus, and during significant moments of the community,” Gipson said. “It’s an important icon for many in this area, and we are thrilled at the idea of a historical reconstruction.”
“About time, I love it,” said Planning Board Member Harper Hill. “It’s been one of the things that’s been talked about in the community, with Stetson alum, faculty and staff for a long time … how it would be cool to resurrect that.”
Following the April 10 Planning Board approval, Stetson University must also seek approval from the City’s Historic Preservation Board and submit a site plan for review and approval, prior to the construction of the replacement tower.
