DeLand Residents Debate Preserving Tiger Statue and Naval Air Station

Locals weigh options to save both historic landmarks in West Volusia County

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A debate has erupted in the DeLand community over the fate of two iconic landmarks - the Tiger statue and the nearby naval air station. Some residents are pushing to bring back the beloved Tiger statue to West Volusia, while others argue that preserving the naval air station should take priority. The discussion has sparked a passionate dialogue about balancing the community's history and development.

Why it matters

The Tiger statue and the naval air station hold deep significance for the DeLand community. The Tiger has been a beloved local landmark for decades, while the air station has played a crucial role in the area's military and economic history. Residents are grappling with how to preserve both of these important pieces of DeLand's heritage.

The details

The debate began after a paid editorial by Sidney Johnston in the local Beacon newspaper argued that preserving the naval air station should take precedence over bringing back the Tiger statue. However, Dan Friend and other residents have been advocating to return the Tiger to West Volusia, and have organized events and fundraisers to support this effort. The community is now divided over how to balance these two historic landmarks and their respective importance to DeLand's identity.

  • The idea to bring back the Tiger statue to West Volusia was originally proposed by Dan Friend.
  • The paid editorial by Sidney Johnston was published in the Jan. 22-28 edition of The Beacon.

The players

Dan Friend

A local resident who has been advocating to return the Tiger statue to West Volusia and has organized events and fundraisers to support this effort.

Sidney Johnston

The author of a paid editorial in The Beacon newspaper that argued preserving the naval air station should take priority over bringing back the Tiger statue.

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The takeaway

The debate over preserving the Tiger statue and the naval air station highlights the challenge of balancing a community's historic landmarks and development priorities. DeLand residents will need to find a way to honor both the Tiger's iconic status and the air station's military and economic significance in order to preserve the area's unique heritage.