National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-20
THE FLOVERY LAND.
PLEASANT TOUR THROUGH FLORIDA.
Orange Blossoms and Allgators-Pinc and Cypress
Jacksonville and Its Surrounding
Pieolata, Pilatka, Oeala, and
Other Pretty Towns.

Georgia's chief seaport and jacksonville, as well
MS with all other points In the Florida Peninsula,
runs through region OF country unattractivo and
for the most part useless or comparatively so, for
agricultural purposes. For the first few miles
amer leaving Savannah and, in fact, until after
Gro sing the Great ogecchee River, sixteen miles
distant, some fine lands are to be Observed but
from thence on the vision rests only upon pine
bnrrons swnmps, arid, sandy plains, and extern
slvo forests Of pine, which succeed each other
with monotonous regularity, down TO the Georgia
line. But, despite the unfavornblo natural con.
ditions which appear, numerous towns, some Of
them showing signs Of
ENTERPRISE ASD THRIFT
scarcely to be expected from the surroundings, are
passed Mt intervals of n few miles NIL along the
way. ofthese Jesup, at the junction oft the Macon
and Brunswick Road, WGycross, which has a
population Of about 1900 and is rapidly growing,
and Folkstone, the last station in Georgia, are the
most important, These are all sustained chiefly
by the products Of the forests gr owing in their
viciniy-lumber and naval stores Along the
Ogecchee aud Altamaha rivers however, there
are extensive rice fields, and in some localities
extent Not long after leaving Fokstonc the road
crosses the 81. Mary's, River on substantial
trcstlework, terminated by nm iron bridge, md
the traveller finds himself in the land OF orange
blossoms and alligatorS.
AT CALLAHAN, TWENTY MILES
from Jacksonville, where the road interseots TINT
diaie points, the character Of the country seems 10
change rs If through the aid Of magic; and be.
fore long the luXuriant vegetation OF n semi
tropical cline meets the gaze upon every side.
The magnolia, palmetto, orange, and banana,
which are occasionally met with rs far north as
Savannah, here flourish, and rich pioiusion of
blooininE plants, running vines, and Spanish moss
attest that the sunny Land Is reached at lat.
Thus far the soil, us throughout ut least the
greater portion of Florida, consists Of fine gray
or white sand upon clay subsoil, which, rich in
dccaying vegetable matter, furnishes plenty OF
nOurishmCnt to the growths peculiar TO this re.
gion.
VAST FORESTS OF PrNE
and cypress, clear of underbruSh the earth be.
meath the dark green foliage carpctcd with the
Bermuda grass, stretch out for miles and miles,
regards JacGsonyiie, @ / can ony speak Of Ii ns /
found II. Situated upon the north bank of the ST.
Johns River, twenty miles from It's mouth, and
with population of about II 600 there is scarcely
q city In the South thnt presents so many attrnc-
tions to tourists throughoui the year as this The
climate. this late in the season, is delightful
a. cool breeze prevails most of the time, aud ut
night the temperature Is such that blankets are
are frequently brought into rcquisitiOn consider.
ably later on. There are many
FINE PRIVATE RESIDENCES
and several excellent hotels capable OF accommo.
dating large numbers OF guests; but these nro only
open during the winter months. The principal
and in fact, only business street extends along the
river for distance of half mile or thercnbOuts,
and has many substantial buildings of brick. A
line of street cars trnvGtses several of the principal
thoroughfares, ana the municipal authorities pre-.
serve good order at all times, so that the place,
taken all in all is a most desirable one to live In.
THE CHIEF DRAWBACKS
are sand and musquitoes. The Streets like those
ofmosl Southern cities, arc unpavcd and the dust
lies ankle deep almost everywhere. Contrary to
my expectations fruits are no more plentiful here
than IN Washington. 1t seems that most Of these,
together with the carly vegetables are shipped to
Northern markets The water supply, system of
sewerage, and police and fire departments are ex'
commodations during that portion Of the year |
am satisfied this would become place Of consid-
cradle resort, especially from the South, during
the summer months
BUT If JACKSONVILLE
is the gateway 70 the Flowery Land, the real beau
ties Of this region lie farther inland. A sail up
The 81, Johns River Is poem to be felt, not read.
There are several lines of steamers plying between
the city and the head Of navigation, but among
them the Baya line stands foremost with five boats
ofgood size and equal In every respect as regards
appointments to any vessels designed for navigat.
upon one Of these l started, few days since, for
Sanford 1893 miles south of jacksonville and not far
from the head Of navigation OH the Upper St.
Johns For the first seyenty-fve miles the river
presented the appearance OF n lake rather than Of
stream having steady current to the sea.
EVERY FEW MILES LANDINGS
were made, and upon nearing the shore beautiful
groves of orange and palm trees, tall stately mag
nolias in full bloom, and stalwart pines, oaks,
sway6d their long gray boards Of spanish moss moss
in The gentle Gleezes that swept through their
sans point is Situated The estate i Of Mrs i Harriet
Beecher stowe. Thirteen Gmiles further on is
Magnolia, place of much resort in winter, and a
short distance beyond is Green Cove Springs, one
of the pleasantest spots along the entire river.
These , springs are ,gy strongly impregnastSed with
sulphur, have temperature OF about I5o, and are
wen adapted for the cure OF rheumatism and
dyspepsia,
THERE AEE TWO FINE HOTELS
which are filled every winter by those seeking
health and freedom from the rigors Of n Northern
climate, PicOlata, forty miles from Jacksonville
is the site of an ancient Spanish city erected two
site are the remains of Fort Poppa, built during
The Spanish era IN America. Palatka, thirty five
of $500 inhabitants, and possesses considerable
commercial Importance. II is the starring point
ofthe Florida Southern Railway, which runs
THROUGH PUTNAM, ALACHUA,
md Marion Counties and is being rapidly pushed
through TO Tampa Bay. Along this line are nu-
merons towns and hamlets, chief among which
are Hawthorne and Gainesville, and upon con
meeting branch Silver Springs and ocan, oil
rapidly building up and each noted for its or
HHrGeT, Vegetable gardens, and lumber interests
the mouth of the Ocklawaha River, has pOpula-
ton of about 200, and has in The past been a
Sixteen miles further On lies DraytOI Island
containing about 1900 acres of fine nrable land
long is reached. vousiG on the east bank Of the
river iormerlyan old Spanish settlement no yes
and Dc Land Landing Uhe village lying about six
miles inland), are passed in succession, and al
SANFORD Is IN SIGHT,
The last twenty five or thirty miles Of the jour
ncy can but charm even the most unromaniiC
tasteS The river has grown perceptibly narrower
and takes tOrtuOus course through cypress
swamps, forests of pine. water oak, mngnolaS and
palms interlaced By running vines from whose
dark green foliage the brilliant scarlet trumpet
flowers frequently glance out 10 astonish and
please the sight. At intervals the river stretches
away through broad suv0nnahs, rich in tall grass
and reeds, aud then, bya sudden turn, the swamps,
50 dense that no one could hope TO puss them
through, are again bordering upon the stream.
FISH LEAP FROM THE WATER,
md alligRtors summing themselves upon the banks
sluggishly amble down into the shallow depths as
the boat moves ON, nnl when the landing Is
reached one has become 50 enchanted with the
again look upon the beauties already discovered
There are many pleasant places along the ST.
Johns river and, second only TO P1latka, Sanford
deserves TO be mentioned. Situated upon the east
some 1--WE miles broad by seven or eight III length
with population of nYo hundred or more
and rapidly growing, II promises soon TO be
come one Of the chief places of resort.
TIE TowS DERIVES ITS NAME
from General II, s. Sanford who owns n laTg,
estate in the vicinity, and who has done muci
toward building II up and bringing its numerOu
advantages Of location and climatic condition.
before the public, II Is already well supplied will
hotels, has several stores and other business
houses with two churches, and new buildings nr,
being put up 70 provide accommodations for The
Increased numbers Of visitors who are expected tC
make II their home during the coming winter
There are several places worthy of mention within
easy reach ofsanlOrd either by boat or rail, among
which mention Melllnvllle Zone mile east on thI
site Of old Fort MCllun), Maitland, Wilcox and
Orlando. This latter place is the county seat o
Orange County, and about twenty-five miles dis
t0nt from Sanford, with which Ii Is connected by
1ail. Enterprise, another fine growing town, f