The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-14
THE FLORIDA CHAUTAUQUA.
New Southern Resort at De Funiak Springs
A City Springing Up in the Forest.


all the changes which the rapid march OF
civilization has wrought in the aboriginal will
derness of America, doubt if one has been wit
messed more remarkable than that which has oc-
Cured hare in this till recently almost unknown
portion of Florida Two years ago De Funiak
existed only in name; this grand natural amphi-
theater and the beautiful lake it embraces were
fifty miles distant from any town. there was a
small settlementof Scotch in the vicinity but the
outside world heard little of them aud less
of the natural beauties of the country. And now
behold the metamorphosis that has taken place
within these two years The railroad and the
telegraph were brought to the shore of this
sylvan lake. They carried away good reports
and brought back people to see to tarry and TO
stay. An elegant hotel was built and supplied
with gas and electric appliances. Tasteful cot
tages and elegant villas arose on all sides Of the
lake; numerous stores were built to
supply the increasing population But
the projectors of the town planned for
something more than country crossroads.
We will make it, said they, grand winter sani.
tarium and "Chautauqua' besides. 1t shall be
the Chautauqua of the South and serve the same
noble purpose in winter as does the northern
Chautauqua in summer
The six originators of the movement had in-
dividually visited other portions of Florida
before deciding on site for the new Chautau-
qua, and on assembling at Chautauqua Lake
they unanimously decided to locate beside
lake De Funiak, and as this ID
only a mile in circumference and Is
this and some naighboring bodies of water are Of
the nature of springs, it was decided to name
the locality De Feniak Springs. Accordingly
the association purchased tract Of 208 acres,
with tho lake or spring in the center. One.third
Of the tract, including the lake. was set aside
for a park, and the remainder was laid out In
building lots the proceeds of the sale of which
go toward defraying the expenses OF the ASSEM-
bly,. The State Legislature invested the Assoc
citation with corporate powers, and prohibited
the sale OF liquor within radius of FIVE milea.
Beside the lake large assembly building was
erected, large enough to seat $500 people,
corps of lecturers and teachers of ability was
engaged for the first assembly, programme oil
exercises laid out, Chautauqua pavilion was
erected at the New Orleans exposition, and in
February of last year large concourse of people
gathered here to participate in the exercises OF
the first assembly. The success which attended
their first efforts encouraged the managers 10
make still greater preparations for the next
annual assembly, which is now in progress, and
will continue until the 10Th of this month. The
programme which is being carried out is
considered superior to that of the last assembly
at Chautauqua Lake. by some who attended the
latter.
An invitation was also extended to all interest
ed in forestry to attend Southern forestry con-
gress, to be held here in December. To the
surprise of most persons. this resulted in gath
ering together at De Funiak large number Of
those who are most prominent in that cause,
which is gaining such deserved prominence as q
national interest, among the delegates being two
representatives of the Department of Agri-
culture.
Next, the Chautauqua Association announced
a teachers congress, to be held during the
assembly season, and sent ont invitations to the
superintendents of the schools of the Southern
States. The invitation met with a warm
response from the teachers of Florida About
325 teachers attended from this State,
and the attendance of the State
superintendents for Georgia and Alabama
will doubtless lead to a good representation
from those States next year. for it is proposed to
offer the same privilege to the teachers of this
and neighboring States at each annual assembly,
and they will indeed be short-sighted not to
avail themselves of such grand opportunities for
Improvement for they will find here the best in
structors in the land and such facilities for ad.
vancement in their profession as could not DO
expected at any ordinary teachers in
stitute. The large attendance of teachers
from Florida and their high APP
the schools of this State. which indeed have
been highly complimented by several Northern
educators well qualified to judge of their merits
The Governor and State Superintendent of In
struction are warm friend of our new Chautau-
qua and fully appreciate the good work it is
doing.
AS evidence of the appreciation in which the
Florida Chautauqua is held by those best able
to judge will name few who have recently
decided to made this their winter home,
Will Carleton; Rev. DR.. w. P. Stowe, of Chica-
go; Prof. r. L. Cumnock, the distinguished elo-
cutionist; w. Ct. Wharton, wealthy citizen OF
Wisconsin; Judge Mcclellan, Of this State
Judge Higley, of New York, has decided to locate
here and many others contemplate doing So
The essayist and lecturer, Wallace Bruce, and
Rev. M. NJ Parkhurst, of Chicago have resi-
dences nearly completed, and Rev. g. r. Alden
.'Pansya" Within the past two months
twenty five new dwellings have been
erected here, and there is good reason
to believe that the population will moro than
is not surprising in locality which presents
such remarkable combination of climatic and
social advantages. Snow is not seen in this or
other parts of Florida oftener than three times
during century, and in summer the tempera-
ture very rarely reaches 100 degrees. Mosquitoes
are amazing in many parts of the State, but are
almost unknown in the western counties The
writer is a resident of eastern Florida, but re-
CARDS the western portion of the State as being
superior in all particulars except adaptation to
the ctrous fruits.
A commodious and handsome building, called
the Mccormick Collegiate Institute, is nearly
completed, and will be used as a preparatory de-
partment of the college soon to be established
here, of which Bishop Mallalieu, of New Orleans.
will be president. I am informed by Mr.. c.
c. Banfl resident secretary of the Chautauqua
Association that sanitarium is soon to be es-
tablished here under the direction of Drs. Hat
field and arkhurst, of Chicago. The machin-
cry and framing -timbers are now being laid
down for large two-story factory which will
supply lumber, rough or planed, holdings.
scroll-work, sash, blinds, furniture, wagons and
carriages. Such a mandatory will be very
great advantage to this region and will doubt
less be taxed TO its utmost capacity to snnnlv the