New-York tribune., 1872-07-06
SUMMER HAUNTS.
FIORIDA WATERING-PLACE.

n
ppv,pv.prp INCREASE OF NORTHERN TRAVEL
IN THE PENINSULA THE NEW TOWN OF
BEECHER.
JACKSONVILLE. Fla, May S.-After most
successful season at the St. James HOTEL this WINTER
Saratoga quiet The health and pleasure seekers n'o
all gone, and duness reigns supreme III this 'uui"e
Winter) very active and thriving city. Flordahs Say
that never have many Northerners Vsited mere as
during the past Winter Doubtless II s OWING 10 TIE ad
vice of physicians that the nyads seek THIS and Oh
aowers-ths land in which Ponce de Leon' IN April OF
157o sourht for the Fountain Of Youth. The health
seekers weary OF travelling IN Europe have this past
Winter degned to seek the American Italy, san up tue
st. Johns River. stopping at JacksonVle' haRnona'
Green Cove Springs, 81. Augustine Vhe oou'ncin
Newport Pilaka, and Enterprise, these Delhg 'no pi
opal towns Of along the river. From inc ou' VI
the ST. Johns River to the head OF the regular steam
boat navigation the scenery is full Of interest There
much that nature has done for this comparatively new
country; but to-day the need enterprise and money
The latest OF the enterprises Is Beecher-a new Town
named after Henry Ward Beecher 1t Is 100 miles south
of Jacksonville on the St. Johns River, and near Little
Lake George body Of land extending rom o'
Johns River to Dunns Lake, well known as Frutand
Peninsula" AT one OF the landings small hotel mas
been erected on point Of land 20 feet high CON-
posed OF perwnkle shells This point projects into the
river forming Little Lake George and commands view
OF tho river and lake for miles Opposite the hotel Is
the mouth OF the wild river Ocklawaha, wDlch Wlhus
serpentne course 800 miles south to the Everglades
The land selected for Beecher Is high, rolling pine
land formerly belonging to Spanish grant and TO the
United States Government, thus having titles unques
tonable The 1000 acres Of this new town have been
laid out with avenues 100 feet wide and over eight
miles In length and with lots from 100 feet square 10 ten
acres in size The park the center OF the town con-
tains three very valuable springs OF sulphur naghes
and iron which have been anayzed and are said to con-
tain valuable medicinal properties Many speak OF the
smaller spring. the Lucia equang II not srpasslng'
any OF the springs at Saratoga or Rchheld Many
persons are said TO have been permanently cured OF
rheumatism By bathing In the sulphur spring water ana
have domiciled themselves in the town. The Mary
spring is 90 by feet square, and II to 20 feet Deep
The Mabel" spring Is 40 by 80 feet square, ana 10
feet deep The Lucia" spring Is Is by 80 feet square,
and to s feet deep The outlets OF the three unite
and form O creek two rods in width and from TO SO
inches in depth These springs situated two miles
from the river in open pine woods. making most
desirable resort invalds They will be known mere
after as the Beecher Springs. Among the prominent
persons who have secured country seats or PiaScs
there are Mrs Gov. Reed and Judge Emnons OI fI0r-
ida Mrs Henry Ward Beecher has secured one Oh the
most valuable tracts of land In the lo"h' near 'no
Merriit's vineyard, named after the late John j. Mer
ritt of Brooklyn NJ r. near tue western limits Sl Ine
town IL has G,OOO grape vines from iona isInu, A. o
and near it is an orchard Of 1900 pineapple ana 500
orange trees beside hgs, lines, lemons, crOn lenOlS
bananas pomegranates, and other tropical fruits, All
doing we'll: most OF these planted the past winter
While the carpenters have been at work they nave had
on their bill white potatoes lettuce radlses
peas cabbages and turnps and occasionally srawDer
rie ever since the 18th OF February The best hunting
and fishing Of the State is found IN TINS locaty inls
new and private enterprise OF Mr.. Edwin A. StudweLs
formerly of Brooklyn n Y, and the value OF IT, as 10
climate, locality, and natural adyantages Is put htIe
known ANY vessels that able TO cross ST. Johns $
bar can leave New-YOrk and land at the wharf at
Beecher thereby facilitating the transportation OF freight
by not breaking bulk Mr. studwen spent much time IN
selecting the Site Of Beecher. It would be well f0r
FOrda as well as for invalid NOrtherners, more such
enterprise ab0unded throughout the otate'