Benson Junction, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benson Junction
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Benson Junction viewed from the intersection of Benson Junction Road and Shell Road
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 Benson Junction, Florida
Location in Volusia County
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Volusia |
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| enter ZIP code |
32713
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| Area code(s) | 386 |
| GNIS feature ID | 295127 |
Benson Junction is a small community located in southwest Volusia County, Florida. It is now part of the city of DeBary. This area was once home to the Ox Fibre Brush Company. Today, Benson Junction is mainly an industrial area. You can find it just west of U.S. Highway 17-92, along Benson Junction Road.
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Ox Fibre Brush Company in 1930
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Former location of Ox Fibre Brush Company
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Astec asphalt plant at Benson Junction
A Look Back in Time
In 1885, Benson Junction was known by a different name: Enterprise Junction. By 1918, it officially became Benson Junction. This area was important because it was a railroad junction. Two railroad lines met here.
The Railroad's Role
The Indian River Division railroad line, owned by Luther Caldwell and Elijah Watson, passed through this spot. There was also the Enterprise Branch, a short 3.9-mile railroad section. It connected Enterprise to Enterprise Junction. The main railroad line continued all the way to Titusville. Over time, these railroads became part of the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railway. However, by 1970, the train tracks were removed from the area.
The Ox Fibre Brush Company
The Ox Fibre Brush Company was a very important business for Benson Junction. It was started in Sanford in 1884 by John K. Robinson. This company made brushes using strong, flexible fibers. These fibers came from native cabbage (sabal) palms. The company owned a large area of land, about 500 to 600 acres, where they harvested these palms.
The company's plant moved to Jacksonville, Florida, for a few years. But in 1901, a big fire destroyed the plant. After the fire, the plant was rebuilt in Sanford. Then, in 1925, the company moved its operations to a 40-acre site right here in Benson Junction. They continued to produce brooms and brushes until the plant closed in the 1970s.
Life in Benson Junction
During the time the Ox Fibre Brush Company was busy, Benson Junction was a more active community. It even had its own post office. There was also a grocery store where people could buy supplies. This shows that Benson Junction was a small, thriving place.
In 1993, the city of DeBary was officially created. Benson Junction was included within the new city's boundaries.
