Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-29
A FLORIDA WINTER.
Where the Northerner Can Find q
Delightful Climate.


Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
TAMPA. Fla. Dec. 3d. 1898.
The gulf coast of Florida promises to be
more popular than ever with the northern
winter tourists this season. The delightful
climate and all the other many attrac-
lions Of tropical country combine to
make it a suitable winter paradise. The
railroad facilities from all sections of the
state. and, in fact. direct from the north
ern cities. are also unexcelled in the south.
Tampa Is the gateway to the Gulf CT
Mexico. and is quite busy city, with a
number OF fine buildings. The principal
streets are paved and good drives extend
in all directions into the suburbs. The
Tampa Bay Hotel is in the Moorish archi-
lecture. and with its silvered domes. gilded
crescents. ancient arches and tropically
decorated grounds makes an attractive ap-
pearance.
Along the line of the J. 1. and K. w. rail-
road and the South Florida railroads. which
are the lines leading from Jacksonville to
Tampa, are numerous resorts, all with
their distinct characteristics and with de-
lightful surroundings and even climate.
Among these We notice Green Cove Springs
Magnolia Springs, Palatka, De Land, Lake
Helen. Enterprise, all along the st. Johns
river, then to Titusville, on the east coast
and near the the head Of the Indian river.
We then go westward across the state
from Sanford. then Altemonte Springs
Winter Park, Orlando. kissimmee and
to Tampa.
A delightful side trip INDUCED in by tour
lists stopping in this vicinity Is that to
Havana. Cuba, by the Plant Steamship
Line. These steamers leave from Point
Tampa, but ten miles from Tampa, tri-
weekly. The ride over Is an interesting one
and three-hour stop Is made at Key West.
that charming little island seventy miles
from the mainland of Florida. Havana is
reached in twenty-four hours from Tampa,
and here the visitor finds himself in a truly
tropical spot and with entirely foreign sur
roundings. The novelty of the situation is
sure to please a visitor. and the scenes and
incidents Of a stay there always afford
pleasant remembrances. Spanish is. of
course, the prevailing language, although
cater entirely for tourists. have interpreters
who accompany guests in all their sight
seeing.
One Of the most interesting features of a
stay-over in Havana is to witness one of
the celebrated Spanish bull fights which
take place there at least once a week.
They are managed and conducted In the
same manner as those of Madrid, and are
certainly very interesting to an American.
The arena is located just on the outskirts
of the city, amid orange and cocoaalt
groves, and is truly a delightful place.
Then there are many other places of inter
around the harbors the morning drill Of
the gafly uniformed troops on the Parada.
the old cathedral where Columbus is said
to have been buried, etc.
Another delightful trip to be taken from
Tampa is that by steamboat over Tampa
bay to st. Petersburg, pleasant little re-
sort, with good fishing and hunting. This
Is the southern terminus of the Orange Belt
vrNod xx-ta ah 1y.A ~ &Alr g.,
erous gulf coast resorts, the leading OF
which is Sutherland and Tarpon Springs
The hest of fishing is found here, and the
gamey tarpon are plentiful.
The weather at the present time is Ger
tainly delightful down this way. Wraps of
any kind are little thought Of and to take
an interesting book, roam out in some
neighborfng orange grove, which are very
PLENTIFUL and throw oneself right on the
ground, and the busy northern world is en-
tirely forgotten. The fragrance of the gol-
den fruit and chirping of the birds combine
to make the surroundings a perfect para
disc. Quite frequently squirrel will peck
at a tree within ten feet. not at all alarm
ed by ones presence. 1t is indeed charm
ing and with the thermometer at an aver
age OF % degrees makes perpetual sum-
mer. If more active employment is de-
sired there are always the fishing and gun
ming, ever good, and the sportsman never
comes back empty handed.
There is also always a jolly crowd quar-
tered at these different Florida hosteiries.
no matter what part Of the state you may
be in. and the excursions are daily. All
manner OF outdoor exercises and sports
are INDUCED in and guest never wants
for something to do. -f1-
1t has not been many years that the
hotel accommodations have been as ex-
cellent as they are now and IL formerly
was a difficult task to find. outside OF the
larger cities comfortable hostelry, but
now this has all changed, and no matter
what attractive spot you may choose you
will have no trouble in finding suitable
quarters.
The enterprise Of northern capitalists is in
great part responsible for this. and they
have brought out different sections of the
state very rapidly. 1t is undoubtedly the
only really tropical state in our Union, and
accordingly must be ever popular with our
resort-loving public during the season when
cold winds, ice and snow make existence
decidedly uncomfortable in the northern
cities. w. +. E.