The National tribune., 1910-10-20
FLORIDA.
Impressions and Observations of Visitor Beautiful
St. Andrews Bay.

Seminole Land and Investment Co
! According to the statements of resi-
dents, the company has rendered sub
Stantial aid to the people in making
their city prosperous home and busi-
ness center, and its disposition is to
allow the people to share in the profits
| of all its enterprises.
/ was told on good authority that the
deposits in the National bank estab-
| lished in this town are already so large
that it is u problem what to do with
1.-The money.
| A remarkable spirit of satisfaction
prevails in st. Cloud. All are working
shoulder 10 shoulder. in perfect accord
for the welfare and advancement of its
interests.
| While in the North I had received
some literature from the st. Andrew s
| Bay Development Company, which con-
tanned remarkable statements regard
ling their property. l learned that
some of the parties interested in the
Development of St. Cloud were also in
| ltercsted in the large colony to be located
at 81. Andrews Bay. L talked with
many residents who were so well pleased
with the prosperity of ST. Cloud that
they had made large investments in this
lsecord soldiers colony. 30 satisfy my
self, however, that the claims of the
inew company were based on facts and
not exaggerated. 1 decided to make a
personal inspection.
My Impressions of st. Andrews Bay
and Its Future.
Midway between Pensacola and Ap-
palachicola, in Washington County, lies
st. Andrews Bay, the largest and deep
est natural harbor on the coast of Flor
ida. IT is about so miles long and from
two to five miles wide. Two projecting
arms of the mainland protect the en-
trance from the great Gulf of Mexico
1t is this entrance which is now being
deepened by the Government. an ap-
preparation of a quarter of million OF
dollars having been made by the last
Congress for that purpose. l learned
that the necessary dredges, etc, for
deepening the entrance from the
Gulf are now on the way, and
las there arn no rocks TO be re-
pleted, when safe passage and secure
anchorage will be afforded for our
largest ocean-going steamers. The bay
itself requires no attention, the water
averaging great depth, and there is no
reason why this harbor will not, within
a short period of time, become an i'm
portant naval base.
1t would be difficult to imagine a
more beautiful harbor than st. An
drew's Bay or possible to find one more
fitted by nature to satisfy the needs of
man. In my estimation il is destined
to become one of the most important
factors in the development of the Gulf
Coast. IT is now attracting worldwide
attention thru Government recognition.
Valuable Property Actually Exists.
1 understand the St Andrews
Bay Development Company has ac-
quired about 10000 acres of the best
land bordering for many miles on this
splendid harbor. The land rises rap
idly from the clean, white, sandy beach,
sometimes to a hight of 80 feet. In
direct contrast to many other local
tiles on the coast, there are few low
places between the sparkling waters of
the bay and the high ground beyond.
A-large portion of the property bor-
ders on the Bay and extends four or
five miles back into the country, taking
in some of the finest farm lands in
the State of Florida. The soil is a rich.
sandy loan, with clay subsoil and of
such nature that when properly cul-
tivated will yield a continuous rotation
of crops and vegetables during the en-
tire year. A considerable portion of it
is wooded, but can be cleared without
great effort or expense, because there
is no dense underground. Shade trees
are plentiful Much of the land is so
and other Instructions that one can
plainly see for long distances between
the trees.
/ took pains to learn that the COM
pany holds clear title to its lands abso-
lutely free from all timber or tur-
pentine leases or reservations of any
kind OF character. and that large por
ton Of the lands were purchased at
prices ranging from IS to $40 per acre.
Other portions at from $50 to $500
per acre.
Altho this property is at present
practically undeveloped, the writer
found many places where the field,
garden and orchard crops known to
the North and the products of semi
tropical climates Were being success
fully grown in great abundance. De-
spite its great advantages the residents
are unable to supply the local demand
for early fruits and vegetables in this
section. There are many fresh-water
lakes and streams on the property.
The finest artesian water is found at a
depth of from 40 to 100 feet.
\ Great Future Assured.
] saw and talked to the engineers
and surveyors at work laying out the
ltownsites and farm tracts for the new
colony. The work is being rushed and
will soon he completed. 1t requires
only "A small stretch Of imagination TO
hear the sound of Jaws and hammers
at work on the first buildings which
will form the nucleus of new South
lern metropolis.