New-York tribune., 1902-01-12
IN THE LAND OF FLOWERS,
gEAsT COAST OF FLORIDA IS A MOST
PICTURESQUE REGION.

For the people who have the means at their COM
nnand there is no longer any question as to where
to go when they wish to escape for short period
the wintry winds of New-York. Down South
means the east coast of Florida, not only because
1T is Of the most picturesque parts Of the coun-
Try. but because its natural beauties may be en-
tJoyed without sacrifice of personal comfort and
because improved railroad systems have brought
the ancient semi-tropical places near TO New
york. Wrapped in heavy winter garments the
Traveller crosses the ice choked river to New-Jer-
sey and from there begins the journey to Florida
in luxuriously appointed In few hours the
piercing cold. the drifting snow and dscomforts
of winter left behind, and in q hours the
Tourist arrives at st. Augustine, under a sunny
eky, and looks upon scene so different from the
he left in New-York that he may be pardoned
If he thinks IL all dream. There are no sky
scraping edhces remind him of the hurry and
hustle Of the metropolis. but quaint old houses
with overhanging balconies line the narrow, wind
ling streets Houses Of worship erected by the pious
lpioneers, remnants Of the Old city wall, with its
fortified gateway and a little public square, which
tn the early days Of St Augustine an imposing
park attract the attention Of the visitor while at
every turn a new. interesting picture presents
itself. and of them like any that he had
seen in his Northern home. A place like St.
tAugustine. designed by nature a place for rest
land recreation, would be attractive If there were
s1o accommodations for the traveller except the
primitive houses of the early settlers. But the
Tourist need not depend upon these. because capi-
tasts who recognized the beauty of the place. and
knew that with superior accommodations for the
trourist il would become doubly attractive. have
rected palatial hotels in the old town. where great
numbers OF guests may be accommodated. These
fhotels have made the place a winter resort for
Epeople from New-York. The largest hotel at St.
sAugustine is the Ponce de Leon 1t is built in the
lSp6nish style of architecture, Of remarkable
screte made of finely ground beach shells The
sother hotels the Alcazar and the Cordova. In
fdescribing these hotels a tourist writes:s Every
tadjunct Of furnishing and decoration which the
Imagination could conjure has been provided in
sthese hosteries; every luxury and convenience
(which human ingenuity could devise is at the dis
sposal of the guests. They have floral setting
unsurpassed by any villa in the South of France,
tand when multi-colored incandescent bulbs scat
aered Ike dew through the foliage, glow with flame
ahe is worthy the storied sights OF fairyland
son the great square known as the Alameda, on
(which the three hotels face is situated the Casino.
sand it is in very truth temple OF amusement.
Here q band plays every forenoon and evening, and
rhe pleasure loving throng may dance bowl or
bathe do any Of dozen things that bring
sparkle to the eye and color 10 the cheek"
Further down on the east coast, sixty-hve miles
arom St. Augustine. is Ormond. Ormond-on-
the-Halifax. It is known the halfway point
the trip. 1t is old winter resort, but 1T has
been reiuvenated and dressed in and brilliant
style. The temperature Of the place may be judged
rby the record, which shows that from April to
April the average temperature, taken at a. m,
was in 1925 so degrees; in 1900, 500S degrees, and
in 1901, 5644 degrees. Here the tourist may alter
mate the pleasures of the water with rambles in
forest glades or excursions TO orange orchards
full of promise. The ocean, too is within reach,
with all its opportunities for enjoyment The Ho-
tel Ornond. managed by Anderson & Price, is open
In January February, March and April, and has
Accommodations for five hundred guests.
few miles beyond Ormond is Daytona, and
shen one reaches Port Orange, pretty village
the Halifax which is popular with the tourists
who are partial TO sport with rod and gun New
.sunvrna Lake Helen and Orange City pretty
FLORIDA resorts. and Hawks Park. on the banks