Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-02
FLORIDA'S LAKE REGION.
THE MOST INTERESTING POR-
TION OF THE PENINSULA.

Interior Navigation of the Lakes-Un-
precedented Advance In the Value of
Real Estate-The Founders of Eustis-
Sketch of the TOwn-Statistics-S Steam
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Commerce
Merchants-Guiteau's Ghostly Advis-
er and DIR. COnoYer of Returning
Board Memory.
The Lake region of Florida, which in
cludes mainly the counties of Orange.
Polk, Marion, Sumter and Alachua, Is in
many respects the most interesting por-
tion of the peninsula. Here we find
rolling and salubrious country, free from
swamps and generally covered with pines,
thickiy interspersed with clear bodies of
water often of great depth, and sometimes
without any visible outlet. Several of the
larger OF these, however, such as Eustis,
Griffin and Harris, have been united by
artificial communications, and, with the
romantic
oCKLAwAHA RIVER
reaching out from them, connect with st.
Johns river and the broad Atlantic. This
interior navigation is of much import
ance TO considerable area of country,
which is served by quite a little fleet OF
steam boats. But the charm of the Lake
region Is its healthfulness and peculiar
adaptation to orange culture. Hence the
constant influx Of settlers and the unpre-
cedented demand for small farms and
building lots with lake fronts. Until the
advent OF railroads all this interior coun-
try was comparatively unknown, and the
lands, when taken up at all, were held at
prices merely nominal. Now they have
advanced in many instances 1000 per
cent. This is particularly true of
EUsTIs,
which is one of the most fiourishing young
cities in the State. A colony was planted
here by the founder, John A. Mcdonald,
in 1876, who brought with him q. ii. Nor
ton, A. S. Pendry, George E. Stevens, E.
f. King, z. z. NORM and W. A. Gilbert.
No real progress vas made, however, for
several years, as may be seen from the
fact that when the two miles square
embracing the town were INCORPORATED in
1888 1t contained but one general store,
that of Mr.. 9. ID. Clifford. Now the num-
Der of business places is over %, and the
population has increased from 100 TO near
1900.
Many substantial and handsome stores
and private residences have also been
erected, and the place contains three
white churches, all imposing structures,
and three colored; one bank, owned by
the Bishop Brothers, who transact busI-
ness in a superb brick edifce furnished
with fire proof vault and all the modern
cOnveniences; one graded school white
with 135 pupils, one cOlOred school; three
hotels, none of them sufficiently commodi-
GUS, and several private boarding houses;
one ice factory, and one planning mill, two
carriage shops and two wood factories,
one steam laundry, two tin shops, six
lawyers, and the same number of practic-
ing physicians, and two steamboat lines.
RAILROADS.
A branch road connects with the sew
eral lines centering at Tavares, about five
miles distant. The Florida Midland road
from Longwood and the Sanford and
Ocala from Sanford are also expected to
be completed to this point in time for the
next winters business, which will greatly
increase the facilities for travel aud the
transportation OF fruits, vegetables, etc.
LAKE NAVIGATION.
Through the united waters of Lakes
Eustis, Harris and Griffin the town en-
| joys a commerce embracing 100 miles Of
| lake shore.
Two boats with passenger accommoda-
tions make daily round trips, touching at
| Fort Mason, Lisbon, HIgley. Lane Park,
Astatula, Yallaha, Bloomfield and Lees
| burg. They seem to come and go well
| freighted and are great convenience to
the numerous farmers and fruit growers,
whose residences and groves line the
shores of the lakes ON all sides.
MERCHANTS AND BUSINESS MEN ALL
SUBSCRIBERS TO THE "NEws."
At the head of these Is the name of G.. D.
| Clifford, who is not only the oldest, but
| the most extensive dealer in general mer-
| chandise in the town. His annual sales
! foot up over 100000,
Groceries, Hay, and Grain-Willis e.
| TerrilI.
General Store-Cnarles T. Smith g. Co.
Hardware and Tin Shop ackson g.
Shepherd and I. Trippard, who has a
large factory attached.
Drugs and Physician-Dr. Guy Hutch
! ings.
Confectionery and Fancy Goods-Thos.
Gasoline and vapor stoves-F. j. Nc
Culloch.
Plumbing, Roofing and Steam Fitting
A. K. Butcher.
Millinery and Fancy Articles---Mrs. G.
A. Slaton.
Carriage Factory and Repair Shop
f. l.. Redding.
Tobacco and Cigars-Charles futile.
Ice Factory-F. A. Smith.
Family and Staple Groceries-s. w.
Duncan.
Meat Market-John Diedrichs.
Livery, Sale and Feed Stable-Starbird
a. Balloon.
Steam Laundry-C. p. Youmans.
Contractor and Dealer In MasOns' Sup
ples-Thomas Little.
Master Carpenter and Contractors.
b. Haynes.
Gun and Repair Shop-A. Gilmore.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Hon. &. ii. Edwards Is the Mayor OF the
town and a real estate agent.
DR.. ;. 5. Sargent, physician Of large
practice aud experience. speaks very
fayorably OF the health Of Eustis.
Mr.. John A. Mcdonald, the founder Of
! the place, has published a characteristic
pamphlet, which, il even the half can be
substantiated, places Eustis lar in the
van Of all Florida towns. IL is cheerful
and emphatic reading. and shows that the
father is UNNECESSARILY proud ofhis bant-
! ling.
BENJAMIN +. Adams, real estate agent,
is gentleman OF much ENTERPRISE and
culture, and the writer gratefully ac-
knOwledges his many courtesies.
j. f. Brown, attorney at law and no
tary, has devoted twenty-five years OF his
life to the duties Of his profession
Rev. w. w. Hicks, Guiteau's spiritual
adviser and the custodian OF his remains,
resides in this vicinity Euets is the
home OF DR.. ConOyer, also member OF
the famous Florida returning boardv
which helped to put Mr.. Hayes into the
Presidency.
M - A rrun