The Dreka Building: The Hidden History Behind a Downtown DeLand Landmark

Bronze James H. Ford Building dedication plaque on the historic Dreka Building in downtown DeLand, Florida.

Sometimes history announces itself with a towering monument, a roadside marker, or a museum filled with artifacts. And sometimes it quietly hangs a little bronze plaque on the side of a building and waits for somebody nosy enough to stop and read it. Hi. I’m somebody. In May 2026, I was wandering through downtown DeLand, … Read more

The Quiet Monument: William L. Lee and a Hidden Legacy in Downtown Dothan

Front view of the William L. Lee Grandmaster Building in downtown Dothan, Alabama, showing historic brick architecture and street-level perspective

Some histories announce themselves with columns and statues.Others whisper from brick and stone, waiting for someone curious enough to notice. While exploring downtown Dothan’s historic core—near landmarks like the Houston County Courthouse—we came across a building most people walk past without noticing. No interpretive sign. No dramatic marker. Just a name carved quietly into the … Read more

The Secret History & Scandal of Howell School

Historic Howell School building in Dothan, Alabama, a restored early-1900s Neoclassical brick school now converted into senior apartments

Dothan, Alabama Some stops are planned weeks in advance.Others happen because you’re early, the doors aren’t open yet, and curiosity refuses to sit quietly in the passenger seat. Howell School was one of those stops. We found ourselves wandering near downtown Dothan while waiting for the Visitor’s Center to open. From the outside, Howell School … Read more