The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-03-17
BEAUTIFUL MONTICELLO
one Of the Beauty Spots Of Florida
A Word About Some Notable
Industries

Monticello, Fla, March 10, 1911.
Special to the Ocala Banner:
Monticello, the county seat of Jeffer-
son county. is one of the prettiest
and quaintest towns in the state. 1t
was incorporated as a town in 1928.
II nestles among the famous red clay
hills of west Florida, with handsome
old colonial homes, most of which
were built years and years before the
war, and everywhere are old-fashiOned
flower gardens, which are thing of
beauty and a Joy forever. In spite of
the long drought the flower gardens
are now at their height of glory. In
Every yard, in every nook and Granny,
are the most gorgeous roses. azaleas,
wisteria, and many of the old-time
blossoms that were so dear to our for
bears. Visitors to Monticello at this
season of the year can easily and
readily see where Florida received her
cognomen of The Land of Flowers"
for everything here is aglow with
blooms, and the air is so fragrant that
surely nothing on earth could be inn
agined.
Monticello is made up mostly of old
families, who have been in the county
for many decades, and through inter
marriage nearly all of the prominent
citizens are in one way or another
related to each other, consequently
the social life and intercourse is de-
Iightful
Monticello has grown but little
since war times, preferring to live as
had their fathers and grandfathers be-
fore them, enjoying the good things
of life in a happy-go-lucky and easy
manner But, like the balance of Flor
ida, Jefferson county has awakened to
her opportunities, new blood is being
Infused into the towns, and Monticel- |
10 is on quite a boom. Recently the
Monticello Business Association was
formed and one of the first matters
to be considered is the endorsement
Of the proposed extension of the At
lantic Coast Line from Monticello to
Perry, from whence it will connect
with the Tampa Northern. This will
place Monticello on the main line, and
will mean much in the future develop
ment of this section. 1t is thought
that work on this extension will be
started in the very near future.
Monticello is the home of several
very distinguished politicians. Hon.
Samuel Pasco, who for so many years
represented Florida in the senate, has
a pretty old home here, and now, hav
ing retired to private life, lives the
simple life" in his comfortable home
with his wife. He is a splendid gen
tleman, and one of whom Jefferson
county is very proud and still delights
TO honor.
Hon. Dannette Hill Mays, who now
represents his state in the lower
house, has a beautiful home in Mon
ticello. He is native Floridian, and
nothing delights him more than to
praise and laud his state. He is a
member of well known Madison
county family and married member
of the Parkhill family, who are a
prominent Leon county family. He
Is a brother-in-law Of Judge Parkhill
of Tallahassee. and is surrounded in
his home by charming family.
Congressman Mayes will be a condi-
date for reelection at the expiration
of his present term, and being so
popular a politician his election is as
good as assured.
Ex-Congressman William Bailey La
mar is likewise Monticello man, and
although at present he spends but lit
tie of his time in his home town he
still retains his citizenship here, and
the old Lamar home is one of much
interest.
It was at Monticello that the water
melon industry was commenced, be
ing ufSl 10 sup 10 uottucAn AuetA hCAos
and the Girardeau brothers (both OF
whom are now deadl first began the
saving of watermelon seed, thus per-
petuating this industry, which has
grown to such enormous proportions
all over Florida.
Monticello also has the distinction
OF first planting the LeConte pears for
market The story of the beginning
of this industry was told the writer
this morning in a most interesting
manner by Mr. B. w. Partridge, who
himself planted the first of these pear
trees in Monticello 1t seems that
nearly seventy years ago Major LIE
Conte sent to a Mrs. Hardin, in Liber-
~ county small pear tree from the
department at Washington. AS the
tree had no name. Mrs. Hardin named
it for the LeConte family. who were
for many years very prominent in ed
TN