Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-14
THE FLORIDA PENINSULA
A TYPICAL YOUNG CITY IN THE
LAND OF FLOWERS.

SurroundinGs-Sh by the
Cart-Load-What Induces Immi-
gration-Statistics and Business
Men of acknowledgements Seen
ery-Plant OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
tile SoiI--Fruit Farms-Business
Enterprise, Etc.
Lakeland is one of the towns of Florida
which, under the impetus OF capital and
its unique and singularly beautiful loca-
ton, has sprung "full aedged' into a
vigorous existence. Two years ago the
place was a solitude. Now it is regularly
laid out, has broad streets, handsome
stores, tasty residences, neat churches, a
tirst-class hotel and contains 900 inhabi-
tants.
FIVE CRYSTAL LAKES,
each of considerable extent and great
depth, lie within the corporate limits,
which are two miles square, and three
others are in close proximity. These
lovely sheets of water have no marshy
borders to engender malaria, and in some
places are oyertopped by banks, rising
to the height of 50 feet
They abound with the finest fish, and fu r
nish the appropriate name for the embryo
city. The adjoining country is poor, but
well adapted to the growth of oranges
and vegetables when properly fertiliZed.
The writer saw cart loads of snaddOcks
for sale on the street, which had escaped
the ravages of the frost. The town is
owned by syndicate which. in the sale
OF lots, prescribes the character of the inn
provements to be placed upon them. This
will account for the uniform neatness Of
the various structures.
Florida is the only region we know OF
where, with the single condition OF rail-
road and salubrlous site, considerable
towns are made to spring up like mush-
rooms. This results from the wonderful
curative properties of the climate and the
stern necessities of the thousands who
must go there to live, or ill untimely
graves. Rich and poor alike flock thither.
AT THE APPROACH OF WINTER,
the former to luXuriate in the balmy sun
shine until spring, then HE away again
like birds of passage to their homes. while
multitudes of the latter, unable to return.
purchase a few acres of land, plant their
stakes ana embark in trade or the fruit or
vegetable business. Soon they become
acclimated and fond of the country, and
in almost every instance fully re gain their
lost health. In every community nearly
all OF the Northern and Western States
are represented, and tine new corners make
valuable and industrious citizens.
Lakeland boasts of three white church
es, one large and tlOurishing school, two
physicians and no lawyer. Some are i'll
natured enough to ascrlbe the harmony
and prosperity so conspicuous mere to the
last mentioned fact, but that, OF course,
is sheer nonsense.
THE FREMONT HOTEL,
under the management Of Mr.. G. S. Tim
berlake, is the equal OF any similar estab-
lishment in the State. The Boss house
and Lakeland hotel, too, are well
spoken of. Hon. E.Tucker is both Mayor
and express agest. Among the real
estate men are Col. f. R. Green and Scott
& ROquemore. The physicians are DR.. w.
B. Marshall and DR.. Joseph Forbes, the
latter a Georgian. Among themerchants
II, SlOne, and higgins ana WaggOner,
keep general stores; Lewis & Co, deal in
hardware, Drane d. Drane sell drugs, T..
K. NJ cody grain and fertilizers, and }. s.
Hawkins and K. jenkins have stocks of
staple and fancy groceries.
AS before stated, the great attraction of
Lakeland is its
EXQUISITE SCENERY.
One never tires of gazing upon the placid
waters of her lovely lakes and their beau
titul surroundings. The health of the
vicinity is also excellent and the atmos-
phere dry and soothing to the invalid.
That it Is destined to become one of the
most popular resorts in the Peninsula
cannot be doubted. The town is elevated
IA feet above the sea, and is claimed to
be higher than any other point in South
Florida.
The Lakeland Ne,oS, a weekly sheet, is
edited by Mr.. q. A. Cricket.
The next place of any Importance on
the South Florida railroad is
PLANT CITY,
situated about 10 miles below Lakeland,
and quite a thriving town. 1t Is built
upon a sandy pine ridge, and named in
honor of ii. b. Plant, VINO Is the head
centre OF the Plant Investment Company,
which yields so potential an influence
over the railway interests of Florida. In
cOrpOrated within less than two years, 80
great has been the influx of immigrants
from the North and West, allured by the
rich fruit and vegetable lands lying in
the vicinity, that the town already con-
tains numerous stores, and is the seat of
a brisk and increasing trade. Hundreds
of orange groves have been put out, and
land has appreciated almost without
parallel even in Florida.
ne lUMu proper Culldlnh dDOuL SUI In
habitants, two schools, four churches
{ two white and two colored J, three board
ing houses, one Masonic lodge, and a
large and clever weekly paper, the South
HOrjdG Courier, published by +. w.
Menln Il Sons.
PERSONAL.
J. r. Edmondson is the active chief mag
istrate of Plant City, and John Mooney. an
''Old salt" who, after being budeted
about all over the world finally cast an
Choir in this snug little cove, is the worthy
Marshal. g.. Calhoun, formerly of
TalbOttOn, is leading attorney. DR.. A.
NJ. Barnes is the dentist Of the town, and
w. Z. Head, real estate agent and Notary
Public.
The writer was agreeably surprised to
find an old acquaintance from Liberty
county. Mr.. John NJ. Minton. engaged IN
business here. Messrs. G. 4. Cham bers, w.
NJ. Mcdonald aud j. w. johnson are
prosperous orange growers. The prnci-
pile business hrms are: X. Edmondson,
" +. Strickland, Yates a. Jett. G.. b. Ba-
ker x Co. and n. T.. Moody, general mer-
chandise; 7. b. Mccall & Co. AID r.. b.
Speer " CO., drugs; j. q. Wilson Il Co.
and J. W. Brooks, grain and fertilizers;
7. b. Smith, liquors; l.. A. Cone, livery
and feed stable; l.. ID. Green, CONNECTION
ers and fancy groceries. This is a fine
showing for this enterprising little city
and they all take, and read the MORNING
NEWS.
In the course ola few years, when the