The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-03-26
FLORIDA LETTER.

FLORIDA LETTER.
AS there seems to be quite an interest mani.
tested in regard to the Southern part of Florida
by my last letter from that part Of the State, and
as a pressing invitation has been given me by
the genial editor of the PRESS, of this city, !
will venture on the second letter concerning that
tropical part. That it possesses exceptional
merits as winter resort for health and pleas
ure, the tourists who have visited Rock Ledge
and other points below will verify.
The beautiful Indian River IS an immense
body Of salt water, 14o miles long, connected
with the Atlantic Ocean by inlets, and subject
to tide water. Its nearness to the Ocean ac-
counts for its exemption from malarial diseases
and its freedom from damp and foggy mornings
permits free outdoor life
But l would speak more particularly of thai
part of the Peninsula, some 90 or 10 miles south
OF Titusville, the terminus of the railroad, and
the point where you can take the steam boats
for Southern Florida. l would speak of this
part because we saw more of that than any
other, and Avalon Park being so near the Indian
River Inlet, where for fishing and hunting it is
the sportsman's paradise. A pleasant walk along
the ocean beach will shortly bring you to the
Inlet or. if YOU prefer to take the Indian River
side, pleasant sail of half an hour will bring
you to the Inlet where, if you are fond of sport
and would like pair of antlers to take home,
here IS your chance, for it is said that deer is
abundant. If it is fishing you prefer here you
can ind plenty of sea trout, mulIet, silver null
let pompono, sailors choice, crevallie, tarpon,
with many other kinds Nearly opposite the
Inlet, on the west side of the river, is located
one OF the oldest settlements in Brevaul county.
During the Indian War there were two forts.
four miles apart-Fort Pierce and Fort Capron,
although the postofice at the latter is now called
St. Lucie, which is opposite Avalon Park. This
Park, being on the peninsula is free from frosts,
ior the nearer you get to the ocean the less likely
Will you be troubled with frost, and the more
perfect Will the climate be for raising tropical
fruits and vegetables. The nearness to the ocean
ana gun stream on one side, and river on the
other' gives it peculiar advantages in raising
tender vegetables and fruits 1t is particularly
favorable to the raising of pine apples, guaves
tananas, as well tomatoes, peas, beans and
the like. Sugar cane grows to perfection; the
Indian River syrup is superior article and
commands quick sale. The land on the pen
Hlsula is principally of a black vegetable mould
and sandy loan, underlaid with coquina and
oyster shell, with considerable rich hummock
heavily tmbered with live oak, cabbage. pal
metto, and other trees of tropical growth. A
few miles below here on the west side NAV be
seen Eden, plantation of 20 to 80 acres of pine
apples in one body
A gentieman,who has home on the peninsula
above the Inlet, told US that from one acre of
ground he made $3.50 this season by string
beans, which bring from 81 to S. a crate of three
pecks, there being a ready market for all veg
etables and fruits that can be raised.
As said before, this peninsula, being exempt
from frost. is so much in its favor. One of the
>abbaths, March and, we were there They
had deg. below freezing opposite us on the
west side, but we were deg. above, while in
the summer months the difference is the other
way-the peninsula side being much cooler than
the west side
Florida. In the past there has been a felt want
in the means of transportation, but now there is
direct communication from Titusville to Tupiter
and Lake Worth, some 90 miles below the In
let, and it is bringing this section rapidly into
motion, this being in the very heart of the fish
and oyster region. Considerable is done in that
line, and large quantities find their way North.
There are two fishing camps within sight of
each other near the Inlet, and each one sends
so barrels of choice fish out daily, besides large
Quantities of oysters. Green turtles are taken
in great numbers in their season, and find a
ready sale in the North
The greatest annoyance is mosquitoes, espec-
tally in July and August, but as the country is
opened there will be an improvement in this
line, and it is astonishing what has been done
towards opening up this part of the State within
the last three or four years. The State of Flor
ida has spent-and is spending large amount
of money improving and deepening the channel
OF the river. The Government has also tele-
graph communication from Titusville, the head
OF navigation, down to Jupiter, the terminus,
and it will not be long before we shall see pros
porous towns within very few miles of each
other, dotting each side of the beautiful Indian
River. and shall not be at all surprised if the
preference is given to the peninsula side as there
you can enjoy, with many other advantages,
delightful surf bathing on the beach of the At
antic Ocean. Already men are at work OPEN |
ing wide avenues from river to ocean, at this
place, and arrangements are being made to
build pier for steamboat landing, and it is
hoped that in the near future one hotel or
boarding house will be built and then, Mr.
Editor, we will invite you and your readers to
see for yourselves.
MRS. E. HINGELEY.