The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-07

is an attractive city in the midst OF the
orange district. Groves Of oranges and
lemons surround it, and the walks
and drives in all directions are fra
grant, romantic and beautiful While
Palatka is the trade center for fruit
and vegetables. 1t is also an attractive
winter resort for tourists, next in i'm
portance to Jacksonville. II Is also
paradise for the sportsman. Here,
too is the point OF departure for the
Ocklawaha steamboats,. This sail of
hundred or more miles affords
revelation of some of the widest and
most tropical scenery in Florida, an
experience never to be forgotten.
After paying our respects to Pal
atka, our train swoops southwark tow
ards the Atlantic coast through fiat
pine wood country. on which are scat
tered numerous saw-mills, turpentine
stills and a few farms, most noted
timber section. We pass ten stations
of moro or less importance for forty
miles when we reach another popular
resort of the east coast section, "Or-
mond- -by-t he Sea" with it's palatial
hotel and charming surroundings.
Oimond is an old winter resort. located
upon the west bank of the Halifax
river. novel and attractive spot, be-
tween the broad and placid Halifax
and old ocean on narrow strip of
land-a short half mile aCross-in the
midst of n setting of richest verdure,
surrounded py some Of the oldest and
most luxurious orange groves found in
Florida. II is truly one Of the ideal
spots on earth Tor rest and enjoyment.
Here are combined the climates of the
tropics and the tonic of the sea. The
visitor may spend the sntire winter
here and still not exhaust its pleas
ure and attractions. Tn" town proper
is not large, but the elegant winter
cottages of wealthy northern people,
together with it's attractive hotel, all
located in the midst of stately pal
metto, live oak and cypress groves,
with branches of the tees Gaily fes-
tooned with Spanish moss, presents
variety of scenery bordering upon the
marvellous.
No tourist should miss Otmond
From the eastern vcranda of the ho-
rel can be seen the oceans waves roll
ing in upon a w.dr beach of fin" hard
sand, uneXCclled anywhere. extending
distance of thirty miles without the
least obstruction. Thr boa'h is two
hundred and fifty feet wide at mean
tide, and upon its hard mari sand all
kinds of turnouts pleasure carriages
and bicycles are found. \ spin behind
n good pair of horses !S cniova be. The
siX-horsc tally-ho hardly leaves "A
mark on the smooth surface Of this
magnificent beach
FAMED TOMOKA RIVER.
Many small streams flow into the
broad Halifax: the most famed is the
Tomoka river. once the chosen resort
of thu Tomoka tribe of Indians. 1t is
called the OCklawaka of the east
c"ast and runs into the Halifax a
short distance from the Ormond hotel
a navigable stream for a score of
miles for naptha launches, etc. Its
banks are IA continual panorama of
tropical scenery, from the bluffs of the
toquina quarrieS to the dense growth
of the swamp lands. This river seems
10 be dividing line in the vegcta-
ton. The pine lands end here, while
going SouthWard, beginning on it's
very banks, are the towering tropical
palms. These palm lands We're for
merlv sugar and indigo plantations.
The Halifax river belongs to that sys-
TEN of inland wat 'rS termed lagOOnS.
They are fed by inets from the sea-
and extend from near -. Augustine
Lake Worth. Black bass from three
tn six pounds each are caught here;
also large game is near at hand and
tarpOn fishing outside. ON the Veran-
da of "IlOtel OrmOnd," Killed two DAYS
before our arrival, lay a huge ana for
midable black bear. His coat was
shaggy, his white teeth CLEANED, and
ie looked dangerous enough and ma
jcstic even in death. lie weighed GOO
pounds and was shot by hunters ana
guests, in the hammocks, six miles
west of the town, being the fifth of
his kind captured this season. He will
be skinned by experts and his pelt will
decorate the den of a wealthy NORTH
ern guest, whose nam, we did not
learn, while bear meat will be added
10 the menu of the hotel.
Surf bathing can be indulged in here
by the most delicate all through thn
winter months. The climate les Of that
medium quality which the tourist can
enjoy from October to May. The
walks in all directions are attractive,
with rustic seats and arbors along the
tropical shaded river banks. which
trails across the poninsula-a halfmile--
that connects the river with the ocean.
Besides, a bridge spans the Halifax
river from the west bank to the beach
side, and horse cars run regularly
frCm the railway station across the
bridge 10 the ocean. Here is another
Of the famous nirNn-hole golf links OF
the East Coast Golf club.
Among the guests of the Ormond OF
our acquaintance and favorably
known to so many of my readers, was
Hon. William Brookfeld, OF New York,
who says of Ormond and its hotel,
"If the traveller does not find every
thing at this ideal resort to make the
very living a JOY, he will not find 1t
on this earth"
six miles southwark rom Ormond is
Daytona, another charming resort
the "clty OF winter Cottages"-a thriv-
ing, prosperous and growing New
England village. Wealthy familie,
from Massachusetts give TO the town
it's dominant air, Two bridges span
the Halifax at this place.
New Smyrna, 15 miles south. Is next
10 81. Augustine the oldest settlemen,
on the east coast. Here are the ruins
of ancient sugar mills. bricks OF which
were brought from Holland. Minorcar
houses with coquina stone floors. chin.
neys and wells curbed with hewu
stone. all III ruins, are seen along the
river bank for several miles. The
drainage canals, indigo watts and ruins
of old sugar mills OF 1867 indicate
large industries. The town has many
attractions today to boast OF both an.
made their home and built shell