Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-03-31
SOUTHERN LETTER.
A Delicious Sail Down The ocklawaha
River
At Palatka-Ancient St. Augustine 3
Palacellke Ponce de Leon, Luxu-
rious and Splendid.

Palacehke Ponce de Leon, Luxu-
rious and Splendid.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
|. (Concluded)
As we sat with our fellow tourists on
deck under the mellow light of the silver
moon, viewing the weird and enchanting
of the colored cabin boys as they sang
the quaint plantation songs, which rolled
out upon the water and echoed on the
shore-and then as soft as evening zeph-
yrs be, was waited on the balmy air the
plaintive melody of "fWay down upon
the Swanee River" which to us, in part,
seemed almost realistic, bringing to us
thoughts of home and friends far away,it
was midnight ere we retired to our state
rooms to sleep, or perchance dream of
Fairyland. And on waking in the morn
4 ing at q found ourselves at Palatka, %
miles below the mouth of the Ocklawaha,
our boat having arrived two hours pre-
vious. After breakfasting at Palatka |
took stroll through the town to see
around a little, but the wind, having
arisen, blew the dust from the sandy
streets, into my eyes, and there being
nothing else of Importance to me as far
as could see. and being little out of
humOr, concluded it was nothing but
''ramshacle" of a place anyhow; therefore,
abandoned longer stay, Ia loss to the
town. shook the dust from my feet land
wiped it from my eyes, and took the ! |
A. NJ. train for the oldest city in America,
ST. AUGUSTINE.
This is, perhaps, the grandest and most
attractive winter resort on the continent
connected with romantic history of by
gone centuries. The old Spanish land
marks combined with modern wealth, |
has raised this city to pinnacle of fame
unequaled, as yet, by any other winter re-
sort. Few tourists come to Jacksonville
that do not visit St.Augustine some time
during their stay, if but for day or two.
1t is considered the proper thing, and in
good form, so to do. They dislike to go
home without being able to say that they
too have seen the old town with its Span
ish Fort, City Gate, old Cathedral, old
slave market, its plaza, sea wall and mar
row Streets feet Being but 81 miles
distant, a great many make an ex-
cursiOn there and return the same day;
leaving Jacksonville at $50 A. NJ, take
dinner at one of the fine hotels, then have
time -four hours to "do" the city, and
return to "Jax" in time for supper. The
town is now made brilliant and attract
i've by its well paved streets, handsome
dwellings, with adorned and beautiful T
grounds, and the great number of its
large and very costly hotels, among them
stands prominent the marvellous hotel,
built by Henry NJ. Flagler, of New York,
THE PONCE DE LEON,
A palace with towers, courts, fountains,
loggias and cool retreats, set amid ap- {
propriate surroundings, in design EN-
bOdying the beauties of Spanish archi- i
lecture. The main material is the shell t
concrete composed of sand cement and Z
shell. Frontage $40 feet on Cordova t
street, and $50 feet on Alameda street. 7
The enclosed court is 150 feet square; the 7
whole covering an area of AZ acres, the
dining hall and other buildings II more.
Has $50 rooms, can accommodate 1000
guests. The dining room, with tall arched
ceiling, ,frescOed in the highest style of art, :.
will seat 600 peOple--l00 tables with six
seats each. 1t is unsurpassed for elegance
and luxury. A vast caravansary, indeed;
an example of architectural design COM I
admiration, and repaying care 0
full study. On the opposite side of the "
street Mr.. Flagler has built the Alcazar, g
Of the Spanish Renaissance style-built G
also of concrete with terra Gotta Orna- a
nents. Connected with the Alcazar is Il
, Casino, fitted up in suberb style, with G.
Turkish, shower, and various other kinds a
If baths, having in center a large pool a.
'0x1OO feet, supplied with water from o
Irtesian wells, used for bathing and OF
Over the pool are suspended
Opes with rings for athletic perform
nces, and from which to plunge into the y
vater, dive and go through the various d
tyles of swimming; good orchestra " "
furnishes music the while. Dressing L
ooms, with bathing suits, are ranged VI
round on one side of the vast area, a
ride promenade is on the other, used a.
lso for dancing, and at the ends, seats 10
re supplied for spectators to view the -,
Gene and listen to the music. The 10
once de Leon is run with the regularity 40
nd exactness of clock work, and with 40
Military strictness and discipline. The o.,
nisine and service are absolutely per-
,ct, the bill of fare of very wide range,
nd the quality of the very best There bu
not dish brought to the table but op
hat is cooked in the highest style of the 3
llinary art. The general price, this
ear, has been reduced to So per day,
nd it is worth it, but persons can take ha
lch suites of rooms with bath room at th'
and with the attendance of Ioi
,ecial walters, as will cost them, any In
here up to $50 per day, and perhaps tie
ore too. Mr.. Flagler also built a memo sh'
al church for the Presbyterians at cost
S250,OOo, and one for the Methodists, ,
1t at much less cost. He has expended Re
rgely in other improvements and enter me
Uses in and about the place. presume 2
all. to the extent of S10,OOO,OOO. He is
able to do it, however, and j
arcely miss it. STANDARD Oily The ba'
,rdova Hotel, also owned by him, hay
quite as handsome, but not quite so Will
rye nor so costly. Besides the three Law
'tels specially named there are hal the
zen other more or less pretentious, and 7