Local

Historic Stetson mansion up for sale at $4.7M

DELAND, Fla. — A historic Volusia County mansion is up for sale.

The owners of the 127-year-old Stetson mansion in DeLand want to sell the property for $4.7 million.

The nearly 10,000-square-foot mansion on Camphor Lane served as a winter retreat for John B. Stetson, the inventor of the cowboy hat.

The mansion is being sold with all of its furnishings included, many which are rich in history and value.

The owners of the Stetson mansion have had millions in restoration done to the home. The mansion was built in 1886.

It's the first luxury estate in Florida. Stetson died in the mansion in 1905.

"There are more than 10,000 panes of stained, leaded and antique glass in the mansion," said owner J.T. Thompson. "Mr. (Thomas) Edison, one of the most prolific inventors of our time, was here at the mansion overseeing the electrical install. That alone blows my mind."

Thompson lives in the home with his partner. They've restored the home to its turn-of-the-last-century glory, and now, they want the world to know about the Volusia County gem.

"Most people don't know about it. We welcome thousands of people to the mansion to tour, and this is our private home. We live here," Thompson said.

A grassroots foundation is already raising cash to try to buy the Stetson mansion.

"This really is the crown jewel, not only of DeLand, but of central Florida," said Thompson. "I can only imagine how this would inspire and excite people from around the nation, around the world."

The owners said they have the ability to hold out to make sure the mansion ends up in the just the right hands.