The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-02-13
Our Q9lio.
The Indian River.


Correspondence of the Philadelphia Ledger
The rapid development of the eastern
portion of Florida, especially that section
lying along the Indian river, is attracting
great deal of interest from the many win
ter tourists to the 'Land of Flowers.
The Indian river, river only in name, as
it is really salt water lagoon, is about 80
miles in length, and varies in width from
1 | miles to from 80 to 100 feet in the Mar
rows. The head of this body of water,
looking at it from a commercial standpoint,
is Titusville, the county-seat Of Brevard
county, which is about six hours distant by
rail from jacksonville, and here the steam
ers of the Indian River Steamboat Com
pany, the only means of regular transpor-
tation for this entire section of country,
receive their passengers from the North.
Leaving Titusville and there is no further
railroad facilities offered for the eastern
coast. and the value of these light draught,
rather slow-going passenger mail and freight
boats combined, similar to those seen on the
Western rivers, can be easily imagined for
the line is the connecting link from outside
points, and, running as they do as a part of
the Planet system, convenience to the tray
eller is afforded. The water of the river is
as brine, the Indian River Inlet and that at
Jupiter connecting it with the Atlantic,
There is, however, no tide and stagnation
is prevented by the constant winds, but the
shalowness of the river in many portions
prevents its opening to vessels drawing
much over three feet of water To the
sportsman, however, great opportunity is
offered-tarpon pompano, cavalli, Sleeps
head, sea trout, channel bass, mullet and
snapper are among the fish to be obtained,
while duck of every species abound,
The eastern side of the river, between it
and the ocean, is strip of sand varying in
width from five miles opposite Rockledge
to one hundred and twenty yards opposite
Sebastian. 1t is devoid of inhabitants ex-
cept those residing at Conaveral, where the
Burnham orange grove, the old original
grove of the Indian river country, is locat-
ed and at East Melbourne, where the pine
apple industry is flourshing, and the men
connected with the Life Saving Service are
engaged in the patrolling of the coast. Al
most directly across the river from Rock
ledge is what is known as Merritt's Island,
so formed BY the banana river, an arm of
the Indian. Here the land is in a high
state of cultivation for truck raising, and
large quantities of vegetables are here
shipped to Northern markets, and quite
profitable results have so far been attained.
But it is on the west coast of this great
waterway that progression is noticeable,
and in what at casual glance almost seems
like an impenetrable forest the work of de-
velopmeut is being proceeded with and
land cleared.
After leaving Titusville, about twenty
miles away, the first settlement of import
ance is Rockledge, and here is located one
of the finest Southern hotels.
The appearance of Rockledge, as viewed
from the river, is an exceedingly pretty one,
and, true to its name, its foundation is a
ledge of coquina rocks, a eonglomeration of
seashore shells similar to the formation
found at st. Augustine in the construction
of the sea wall and fortress there The river
bank has the appearance of a dense tropical
hammock, and the stately palms, forty to
fifty feet high and few feet apart, are
much admired
Orange growing, as well as the cultivation
of other citrous fruit, forms the occupation
here, and many groves of high standing are
located in the neighborhood Ofindividual
growers probably the best known is Senator
Hardie, of the Florida State Senate, his
grove, it is stated, realizing an income Of
$4,000 per annum.
Cocoa is thriving settlement adjacent,
and next comes Eau Gallie, located at the
mouth of the river bearing the same name
Ex-Governor Gleason resides here and
much attention is devoted to orange culture.
Melbourne comes next, anditis accounted
the most prosperous settlement of the
river Churches and schools are here to
be found, and much attention is given to
the culture of thepineapple and orange.
Three miles further south and the cele-
brated Turkey Creek orange grove is
reached. 1t is one of the most extensive
in the State, and the high state of cultiva-
ton here given the luscious fruit has done
much to give the enyiable reputation the
Indian river orange enjoys. Then follows
the small settlements of Malabar and Nucco.
at the latter place the Government SignaI
Service having station located. A short
distance away and the st. Sebastian river
empties into the Indian, and on bold
bluff rises the Sebastian Hammock, most
favorably located at the juncture of the
two rivers
A few miles further ,lown an,l tho brood