The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-07-16
To Lane Park.

1t was one of our fair Gust right
Florida days when we took the train for
| Lane Park. The train stopped just long
| enough at the stations to give one a
| glimpse of the new towns ami villages
that are springing up everywhere on the
route. At Fort Mason we stopped at the
Lake View House; then at the depot
which is only few yards from Lake
Eustis, affording beautiful view of that
large sheet of water, they make a longer
stop here than elsewhere, having so
much freight for this place, it being a
central point. From here we take the
east branch, and get glimpse of Eustis
Post, the home of Charles T. Smith ESQ.
reminding one of tropic bowers, and
from which we never take our eyes until
it is lost to view. In passing Mount
Homer depot, one would never imagine
the scene of beauty that lies just beyond
the tall pines, where lies hidden the
grove of Col. Lane, on the east side of
the lake. Go there, skeptical ones, and
see for yourselves "what can be done in
Florida" The description of this place
| will leave for another article, as it
would take up a whole column. Prog
ress is stamped on all things over this
route, and the health-giving breezes help
to carry it forward, for Florida has no
healthier section than this one, and when
the invalid cannot find help or improve
ment here, it is useless to seek it in air
or climate.
Here we are at the Park; the train
stops on one side Of the depot, and on the
opposite side the Rookie lightly floats on
the water of Lake Harris. She takes
the passengers from this point to Bloom
field, Yalaha and Leesburg. We LETT
the train just as Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. T.
Jones, of Yalaha came on board, bound
for Altoona where he and his brother
James have just built and opened large
mercantile house. Their ability as mer-
chants, and gentlemanly manners to all
will insure them large share of trade,
which they justly merit. Col. Lane had
just returned from Mason, and came to
the Park before going to his home at
Mount Homer, for business must be at
tended to before pleasure. The years
sit lightly on him, and one would scarce
lv suppose he had seen three score years.
He is easy and interesting to converse
with, desires to see the country fill up
with people of good morals, is opposed
to whiskey shops, and although so thoro'
business man, keeps in view the
heavenly country, where they rest from
their labors. Major Davies had just
come from Georgia, on Florida trip.
We met him on the train he was look
ing hale and hearty, had kind of
pleasantness about his face that seemed
to remind one of the fact that there was
change, and the solitary man had be-
come benedict-good reason indeed fol
feeling happy, knowing there was one
who missed him at home"
| Lane Park stands out in bold relief
against the lake of sunbeams. 1t rises
| gradually from the water edge until II
reaches a height of several hundred feet
then commences the level pine land with
a good growth of timber, the quality O
| the land here being first-class, hay;
seen no oaks that will compare with
these; some of great beauty near the
residence of Mr.. Marquis, having deeI
| green foliage, nearly resembling the
orange tree. Magnolias were plenty
here, and the cabbage palmetto "a home
| ly name for this very tropical looking
| tree wave their leaves in the breeze ia
above you, never changing their dress
| for this is the "Summer land" The
winds love to tarry around this lake, ant
were too high for us that day, and spoil
our going out fishing with Mr.. Redding
who keeps the hotel here. We wished
! very. much to see him east his net ant
draw it up filed, as did the fisherman o
| old, and hope sometime TO do SO, whe1
the winds are taking rest. The LAKE
makes into an arm here, and affords ;
sort OF harbor. Here is sport for the
pleasure seeker, and invigorating breeze'
| for the debilitated, and health for the in
valid. A large hotel is needed here, anC
would only have to be known TO be ap
! preciated. A large saw-niill is running
here that turns out from $4,000 to 25,0O(
feet OF lumber daily. This place is not &
year old, but is growing fast, being SC