The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-14

tlement on Biscayne Bay. where the
residents are chiefly engaged in lemon
and citrus fruit growing. Here we
have our first view of the wonderful
sheet of water and Maimi, the future
metropolis of Florida.
Birth of the Miami.
Some sections lay great stress on
their age, and refer with pardonable
pride to the fact that they are old
and have right to be numbered with
those who made history years ago.
Although Miami cannot go so far back
as st. Augustine, yet in the five years
Of her history she surpasses all others.
She has a record that is a surprise
to the world.
Before the advent Of the East Coast
railway in 1876 this point was a will
derness, later scattering hamlet OF
tents, containing not over fifty souls.
Today ii is young city of great
promise, called the Magic city" THE
Gateway of the Antilles" 1t is the
southern terminus of the Florida East
Coast railway, and its several steam
ship connections and the nearest to all
points in the West Indies. 1t is 366
miles from Jacksonville, and the last
one of the charming and delightful OF
Florida's East Coast winter resorts.
Think of it; five years ago a sleepy
little village, whose sole attraction
was beautiful tropical scenery and cli'
mate peculiarly soft and mild, and an
old fort now transformed to modern
and up-to-date city and tourist re-
sort. Miami Is located directly on the
beautiful Biscayne Bay at the mouth
or the Miami river, whose source is
In the Everglades. on a narrow PEN
insula, the tip-toe ofthe United States,
separated from the sea by narrow
strip Of land and some nincmilcs from
the ocean. Here you have the always
inspiriting boom of the surf and got a
freshor scent OF the salt breeze with
its surprising softncss and moderate
temperature. The reason for the
balminoss and freedom from chill lies
In the fact that the great ocean river.
known as the Gulf Stream, tempers
the air that blows from the Atlantic
and gives it just enough Northern Wig
or TO free IT from unenervating quail
tiles that proves so soothing and rest
ful for tired brains or worn bodies.
1t is truly delightful relief from
the shiVeling dampness left behind
so short time ago.
The shores of the bay and the banks
of the river are fringcd with full
grown coCoanut trees laden with their
luscious fruit and luxuriant tropical
vegetation. The CoCoanut palm Is
found wild around the bay. the leaves
of a full-grOwn specimen will attain a
length of Is to 20 feet and on aC-
count Of their fruit is one of the most
valuable of palms Miami has a resi-
dent population of over 1000, while in
the winter thousands of tourists visit
here. Here are six churches, fine
schools, two up-to-date newspapers,
good business places, board of trade,
electric light system and water plant
and a remarkable feature, 81 800, 600 of
taxable property bringing a revenue of
$4,000 per year and no financial in
dcbtcdness. Here are broad avenues
and parks and handsome residences,
rapidly multiplying yearly The
streets are a striking feature. wide and
made of ground coral, which becomes
quite hard and smooth as a floor. All
the streets are paved with it and
several roads extend into the country
four or five miles, forming excellent
drives. Miami is ii typical Florida
city, and has extensive trade in early
spring truck for Northern markets.
The AZ licenses to do business granted
last year attests the number of busi-
ness establishments. Mr.. Flaglcr has
given Of his wealth with a lavish hand
to worthy institutions, among them
is the Presbyterian church, beautiful
structure together with the parson-
no itarr
that denomination. 1t is built of ma
tive rock of coral formation, rising in
pure unsullied white against the sky.
He has also donated a valuable plot
of land in the heart of the city for
the erection of $50 900 court house,
as Miami is the county seat of Dade
county. These instances of generosity
of Mr.. Flaglcr may be multiplied, as
he is spending money without stint
in all public as well as private enter
prises along the entire line of the Ea st
Coast railway. But the crowning
glory Of his achievements is the erec-
tion of the Royal Palm Hotel a ver-
table palace. costing over million
dollars, in which one thousand guests
can be accommodated. The site of
this palatial palace is admira bly,
chosen in the centre of "A tropical gar
den that enChants the eye at every
standpoint, commanding a magnificent
view ofthe bay and river, and the tour
iSt standing here can look far out TO
sea. The grounds cover twenty acres,
set with bearing Cocoanut trees, bril-
liant hybiscus and beautiful tropical
foliage, and is a bower of beauty.
They contain number of royal palms,
some of them fifty feet higt, many
OF them were dug up or the West
Coast and carried bodily and trans
planted along the shore. Mr.. Flaglcr
planted 1000 trees, now grown to size.
The hotel grounds are skirted by the
BisCayne Bay on the east and pro-
tcCtod by a scawall, between which
and the grounds is a magnificent drive
way, forming a natural promenade of
unrivallcd beauty. The hotel itself is
finished and furnished regardless of
cost simply elegance pcrsonified, while
the creature comforts of the house are
all that the most fastidious taste could
desire. The hotel, the mansc, the
streets of the city leading TO the or
namental grounds, the handsome dwell
lings, grassy lawns, flowers, shrubber-
ry and trees, combined with the hotel
environs, is "A scene of beauty rarely
witnessed. The broad, peaceful and
beautiful bay is beautiful to look upon,
dotted with sails, canopied launches,
sail and fishing boats and even steam
ers just arriving from Nassau and Key
West, with the white breakers of the
sea glistening between.
The Bay of Biscayne.
The bay of Biscayne is lagoon,
sheltered from the Atlantic ocean by
numerous keys and coral islands. The