Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-08
The Possible Near Future of South
Florida

APOPKA, FLA, March 5.-The numer-
Gus internal improvements now progress
ing and the various railroads being pro-
jected in this portion of the State are
bringing prominently before the people
the future probabilities Of what South
Florida will be within the next five years.
A brief mention Of some of these inn
prOyements and the results will give your
readers some idea of the rapid strides
being made in the development of the
country, and show what it must become
ere many years have passed away.
A large section of land known as the
Kissimmee and OkeechObee region, a pOr-
ton of the extensive grazing lands of
South Florida, embraces an immense
amount of alluYial land, subject to over
flow during the seasons of high water,
and but small portion fit for cultivation
i'm its unimprOyed condition. But now
that the OkeechObee Drainage Company
have by the use OF their improved dredg-
ing machines opened the CalOosahatchee
river into Lake OkeechObee, the waters
are being rapidly lowered, and when the
canal is deepened the large body of saw
grass prairie will soon be fit for cultiva-
ton, and will prove to be the best sugar
cane lands in the United States.
These lands being in semi-trOpical
region, are peculiarly adapted TO the
growth Of cane, with the further advan-
tage over other States, that one planting
of seed cane will furnish rattOOns for six
years or more, thus saving large expense
for seed and the labor of annual planting.
Louisiana sugar planters are making ar
rangements to settle these lands. as soon
as the drainage is complete anHOpen plan
tatiOns.
This canal, in conjunction with the one
cut on the east, opening the lake into the
st. Lucie river, which empties into Indian
river, has already lowered the waters of
the submerged region to such an extent
that large area of the richest lands in
the State are two feet. above the former
water level. Tahopekaliga lake is being
drained into the kissimmee river, and the
channel Strengthened. This will give di-
rect water navigation into the Gulf of
Mexico, and the South Florida Railroad,
now in operation, having its present ter
minus at Kissimmee City, gives cOnnec-
ton with the Atlantic ports. A company
known as the Florida Coast Line Canal
and Transportation Company are engaged
i'm opening canals into the different salt
water rivers which lay along the
eastern coast, and expect in this way to
connect st. Augustine and Bay Biscayne
On-the south, which will give great impe-
tus to the settlement and development of
that section, bringing them within easy
reach Of market.
If the reader will place COltOn's map of
Florida, 1882, by the side of a map of the
State, published even ten years ago, and
compare them, the most casual observer
will be surprised to note the net work of
railroads passing through and across the
Peninsula Of Florida. Some of these have
already been constructed, and number
of others have been in course of cOnstruc-
ton. They are among the best evidences
of the rapid development now going on
in this section, yet they fail to convey but
a faint idea of the rapid changes now
taking place in this Southland, which
but a few years ago was an almost I'M
known wilderness, except to the squads
of soldiers who, during the Seminole war,
travelled through portions Of its swamps
and wilds in pursuit of Indians. 1t was
looked upon as vast swamp with slight
elevations on the coast and would never
be inhabited by civilized man.
Will Wallace Harvey, the well-knOwn
word painter of Florida scenery, has given
a graphic picture Of his recent boat trip
from Kissimmee City on Lake Tahopeka-
liga down the Kissimmee river to Okee-
chObee, and thence by way of the canal
into COlussahatchee river to Fort Myers.
From his description of the country and
its peculiar characteristics, with the num-
Der of miles Travelled, enables us. to form
conception of the great. extent of territory
that will be reclaimed by the system of
drainage now in operation, without taking
into account the effect it will have upon
that portion of the peninsula known as
the Everglades,
The newspapers report that Mr., DisstOns
with a party Of twenty or more have
made the same journey in a steamboat
belonging TO the drainage company.
. l purpose continuing this subject in
another article, directing attention to
some new industries that are being in
and which will supplement
fruits and vegetables, furnishing large
amount Of freight requiring additional
facilities,
u. III. MASON, NJ. ID.