The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-26
FLORIDA HEIGHTS LEAGUE.
TO DEVELOP LAKE REGION OF
HEART OF FLORIDA.

HEART OF FLORIDA.
An Important Move for the Future
of Orange County Begun--orlandO,
Maitland and Winter Park Unite
to Make the Numerous Attractions
of Their section Better known to
the world at LnrEe-The Former
Center of the Orange Growing See
ton to BE Made Attractive TO the
Tourist as Well as the Permanent
Settler.
Orlando, Fla, April 24.-Possibly the
most important move in years for this
section of Florida was made in this
city yesterday when the Florida
Heights League was organized.
Florida Heights is the appropriate
name given to the surprisingly beau
tiful lake region of about two hun
dred square miles in Orange county,
OH the crest of the divide or water
shed of the state. from which waters
flow westward to the Gulf of Mex
leo and eastward to the Atlantic, be-
ing in straight lines due south OF
Jacksonville 12O miles, northeast of
Tampa so miles, due east of Bayport,
fernando county, on the Gulf II miles,
and due west of Cape Canaveral, on
the Atlantic, 81 miles.
On this high rolling plateau, cover
ed with groves of large stately and
odorous Southern pines, majestic ever
green oaks, fragrant magnolias and
fruitful orange trees and dotted with
we'll titled farms and multitudes of
clear high banked crystal lakes con-
nected by swiftly running brooks
flowing to the Atlantic and Gulf, are
the beautiful winter resorts, Orlando,
Winter Park and Maitland.
While the people of this region have
not word to say in disparagement
of the beauties and attractions of the
coast regions of the state, they are
we'll aware that many pople are not
struck on seashore conditions, but pre-
fer softened breezes. and the
doors of the woods. Here is lake
region, where pretty little lakes OF the
purest and softest waters are nestled
among pine-clad hills, and skirted with
dense hammocks of hard wood trees.
Almost from the earliest settlement of
this region it has been noted for its
healthfulness. There are no malarial
conditions here, While the winds from
Gulf and ocean have sifted through
pine forests until they have been mod
flied to refreshing and invigorating
breezes. The roar of the sea is soft
ened to the soughing of the pines, and
the rasping winds of the coast lines
have toned down to a gentleness that
lulls the tired body to sleep, and rests
the overworked brain.
mi 4. 10
the center of the orange industry be-
fore the disastrous freeze of a few
years ago cut the orange trees to the
ground. But time, the great restorer,
is bring the orange trees back to fruit
fitness, and a few years will see the
industry once more in the forefront,
and making it's devotees prosperous
and happy. Meantime, however, the
farming industry is developing at
wonderful rate, and will divide honors
with the orange in the years to come.
The people have grown prosperous
since that disastrous freeze without the
aid of the orange, and new develop
ments are constantly coming on to
attract attention and bring dollars.
Feeling this and looking into
the future with somewhat of
the gift of prophecy, several
of the prominent and public
spirited men of Maitland, Winter
Park and Orlando have entered into
a combination to aid the coming of
the good day whose coming is predict
ed by all who have knowledge of this
attractive section. The object of this
action, as set forth in the prospectus,
is fuller understanding of the beau
ties of this section to the minds of the
people who live outside, to further de-
velop its farming and business facili-
ties, and that it's great beauty and
healthfuIness should be better known;
and whereas there are many enter
prises that need fostering, like more
good roads connecting the three towns
with each other and with adjoining
villages and farms and planting shade
trees along them; to secure system
of parks and connect them by broad
and we'll paved boulevards. dredging
the brooks that connect the chain of
lakes, that boats for pleasure and
freight may go from Orlando to the
Atlantic; the establishment of game
preserves of from 10000 to 10000 acres
nearby; removing the water hyacinths
from the lakes; the establishment of
an experimental farm by the United
States: the circulating of accurate, re-
liable information of this region, etc.
Those who have taken hold of the
undertaking are broad men, and not
lacking in experience. They are ear
nest, and rave records as hav-
ing accomplished things hereto
fore. They propose to incorporate
and will invite all enterprising citizens
of the section to join them in their eff
forts Such >work always tells and
while leaders may fail to reap direct
peeuniary benefits from theft efforts.
the work done by them will be of last
ing benefit to the territory which they
work for.
The first work to be undertaken will
be the getting out of a map of the
region showing the lakes, streams rail-
roads and paved roads, and the cir
culation of fifty thousand circulars
with map and descriptive matter ac-
comparing.
An organization was effected yester-
day, with the following officers: Secre-
tary Mahlon Gore; Treasurer Jno. NJ.
Saunders. These gentlemen with N.
P. Vowel, w. r. O'Neal DIR. NJ. A.
Henkel and w. B. jackson constitute
the board of directors.
-----s-sr-s-------