The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-06-02
ni.IDGEPOIsT EMS.

asst week set out to give some items
of bridgeport, and then wandered oil to
a partial history OF the beginning Of the
town and its draw backs to get start.
! may AZ well continue the history show
ing its risc and progress.
The site Of Bridgeport was first set
tied by apt. Henry Henderson, who OBJ.
tanned United States patent for the
land September 18th, ls4'. which patent
is signed by Jas. X. Polk, President OF
the United States. Capt. Henderson
lived here until 1855, and it WAS then
and for wears afterwards known as
'liendprsonIs Point Mr.. King, the
next purchaser, gave 1t the name OF
Magnolia Point" an exceedingly appro-
pirate title. suggested by the fine mag.
nolia trees, many Of which are yet
standing and are as large and fine as any
in the State.
In January. 1888. a letter was publish
ell in the Putnam County Journal, writ.
ten BY r. +. Durrence, which attracted
the attention Of Mr.. REM, and in March
Of the same year he came to Florida,
aud called on Mr.. Durrance, who sad
died his mules and showed the country
to Mr.. REM, who became favorably i'm.
pressed with its location and wOsth, and
at once set out to secure the land de-
sired by purchase from the State.
railroad and private parties until
about four square miles were bouS mt,
then it was partly surveyed out and i'm
provpments commenced in March 1881,
when the first small cottage was put up
here. The lumber of which it is built
was all carried ashore from the schooner
ON the backs of colored men, as there
was no wharf yet nor deep water near
the shore. Carpenters to build the cot
tage had to be carried to and from
their work in boats from Federal Point,
thus making long and expensive job
of it. On its completion Mr.. REM took
possession and mt once had his wharf
built by Capt. Hawkins, the well known
pile driver, who bultit $40 feet long to
=. feet depth of water at low tide, thus
securing enough water to accommodate
the LARGEST steamers on the river, and the
wharf is called the lest on the st. Johns,
and from which large wood business
sprung up. A general store followed in
few months, then a post Office was es
tablished, both of which was great con
venience to the settlers in this section
In the winter Of 1SS4.5 hotel was built
to accommodate those who were attract
ed here and it has had a fair trade since
it was opened and it will probably be
enlarged this season.
Mr.. REM has adopted a liberal policy
and the results show the wisdom OF II
lie being retired manufacturer, knows
the value Of manufacturing industrie
to a town; hence he offers large induce
niapts to such an locate here. large
saw and planning mill is just beginning t
cut lumber now, and as soon as thel
private wharf il complete they will shl
almost the entire production OF the ml'
to Baltimore, where trade Is alread!
established.
A boot and shoe mandatory is aITnos
assured, and will prove blessing M
only to bridgeport, but to the state a
large.
A sanitarium of fifty or more rooms
to be erected here bef re winter sets N
to I've run in connection with one IN tll
north in summer. The selection o
Bridgeprt for such an enterprise is nj
acknowledgment Of its healthy location
The site selected for the sanitarum
one of the finest on the river. and tn
grounds connected herewith are nicel
shaded by lovely magnolia., oaks. hict
ory and other desirable trees, onerin
cool shade TO the patients gathered there
and the sandy beach good bathing spc
for such ~ wish to ENJOY the water -