Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1911-04-26
EASTER IN FLORIDA.
MIR. J. E. Hart Writes Interest
ingly of a Visit to Florida
on Easter Sunday.
Visits St. Augustine.

tt was my good fortune to be in
this historic old city on Easter Sun
day, and while this is my fifth visit
to the city, I have never had time
on previous occasions to see very
much of the places of interest.
This is by far the most interest
ing place l have visited, on account
of the fact that it is the oldest city
In the United States, and from a
standpoint of beauty it stands at the
head of the list, and too it is the
only city which has the distinction
of having been under the rule of
three. flags, twice it was under Span
ish rules, once under England and
last "Old Glory"
1t will be 400 years next spring
since Juan Ponce de Leon left Porto
Rico, in search of gold and the
Fountain of YOUTH and it was
at the point where this city now
stands that he landed on Easter
Sunday, and took possession of
Florida, planting cross, and un-
furling the royal flag of Spain.
The city is built on peninsular,
laying between the Montanas and
San Sc Bastian rivers. Originally
there was a city wall separating the
city from the mainland. This old
wall has been taken away, leaving
only the gates. I am told that on
several occasions land attacks were
llade by Georgia and South Carroll
ma troops, not being able to get
over this wall, they would raise the
seige and go home. The city was
protracted from water invasion by a
very strong fort, originally called
San Marco, but of latter days named
Fort Marion" This fort is built
Of "Coquino," a formation of sea
shells and limestone, and found in
many parts of Florida. Much of the
Iabor on this structure was per-
formed by the Appalachian Indians,
who were held for sixty years, they |
and their descendants working con-
,tantly on these Notifications, and
am told that if an Indian became
slow about his work, that these
Spaniards would kill him and bury |
him in the walls of the fort.
The population numbers about
!, 900 in the s1lliner and possibly
i've times that number IN the tour
Ist season. There are all nationali-
ties here, but,the greater portion of |
5he resident population is made up |
Of the descendants from a colony of |
people who were brought here a |
number of years ago from the Is.
and of Minorca, and held in bon
lage by the Spaniards, working
heir indigo and sugar farms.
The Catholic church has the
greatest number of members here,
though the Presbyterian, Episcopa-
ian, Methodist and Baptist have
nice churches.
/ attended preaching at the An
,ient City" Baptist church, which
was only founded a few years ago,
starting with 19 members. The
Presbyterian Memorial church,
quilt by II. M. Flagler, is the finest
n the city and possibly the most
elaborate church building in the
south. Mr.. Flagler built this in
of his daughter, who was
/ member of that church, and
whose remains lie in mausoleum"
quilt in rear of the church. The
only manufacturing going on, is
hat of cigar manufacturing, and / |
suppose the greater source of reve-
hue comes from the wealthy tourists,
who flock to this city by the thou
sands during the winter. The main
business street is King street which |
s really the only one wide street in |
;he city, some of the others being |
20 narrow that two people can shake |
hands across some of the streets.
The plaza" is very beautiful,
being laid off in walks, and the |
grounds are a flower garden, and
shaded by rather tropical trees,
stately palms. There is a handsome
Confederate monument, also an old
Spanish monument, odd Slave
Market, fountain and band stand.
There are many points of inter-
est for the sight seer but time and
space will not permit me to mention
Ill of them.
Fort Marion, with its massive
walls, and dark dudgeons, interests
me very much.
The old "Huguenot" cemetery
which was formerly the Potter
Field" is just out the city gates and
only .ex-communicants and crimi-
nails were buried there.
The old Spanish light house was
washed away a few years ago, but
there has been built another which
is one of the finest on the coast.
From itssummit a grand panorama
Of sea and foliage, and of the town
with its grey old fort, and its mod
ern towers and domes delights the
eye and repays the visitor for the