The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-07-29
THE CITY Of OAKS
BeIIeyiew, Twelve Miles south of
OcaIa. One of the Prettiest and
Most Healthfui Towns
I'm Florida


its borders no more charming nor
progressive community than the town
of Belleview, tucked away amid the
rolling highlands in the southern
part of the county, some twelve miles
distant from Ocala.
Belleview is just about midway be-
the main line of the Seaboard Rail-
way, being approximately one hun
dred miles from both the northern
and the southern metropolis of the
state. There are two trains daily in
either direction, and the trip can be
made direct from either city without
change.
Situated on the backbone of the
peninsula, the land surrounding
Belleview is high, dry and well-drain-
ed, swamps being unknown, while
mosquitoes, malaria, and other un-
healthful conditions are here entirely
negligible factors.
The excellent hard roads for which
Marion County is noted, radiate from
Belleview in every direction. The
run 10 Ocala. by automobile, is an
eXhilarating twenty minute spin
through a picturesque farming coun-
try of rare beauty. Silver Springs,
one of the greatest of Florida's ma
tural wonders, and, according to ira
dition, the object of Ponce de Leon s
quest, is also only ten miles distant
by good road. Then there is beauti-
full Lake Weir, seven miles to the
southeast, and Smith Lake, a favorite
fishing and bathing resort of resi-
dents of Belleview, several of whom
maintain permanent camps there,
only three miles to the east
Founded in the spring of 1884 by
a group of promoters who had in
mind the establishment of a settle
ment which, by its convenient and
healthful location, would draw an eX-
cellent class of permanent settlers
and winter residents, Belleview has
enjoyed not a rapid but a steady
and consistent growth, and, compara-
lively speaking, now ranks with the
most prosperous communities in the
State.
The city was incorporated by a Spe-
cial act of the Florida Legislature
and for some time was noted as the
smallest Incorporated borough in the
entire State. But although the small
est city, Belleview has also held en-
viable records for progress and pros
perity that would do credit to many
communities with several times the
| population.
The town site itself occupies q
large tract of land, and practically
all of the residences in BellevieW
have been built with large surround
ing yards, which add to the coolnes:
! and quiet spaciousness of the loca
! ton.
| Live oaks, water oaks and othel
handsome shade-trees line the prin
cipal streets, and the residents TAX,
pride in keeping the vegetation il
fine condition.
In the center of the town there i
a beautiful natural park of severa
acres, which has been reserved fo
public use. Within this park i
found Lake Lillian, circular bod
of water, fed by springs, which re
fleets the deep turquoise and gol
of the Florida skies when the norti
is wrapped in snow and ice Upo,
the square surrounding this par
are many attractive and substantial
homes. There is also a splendid build
ing site overlooking Lake Lillia
which the incOrpOratOrs of the cit
offer. with an absolutely free. clea
title, to any one who will erect neV
hotel for winter guests.
In addition to Lake Lillian, ther
is another natural beauty spot with
in the city limits, an illustration G
which is shown on this page. Thi
= ,
beautifully shaded depression in tn
earth, nearly eighty feet deep, int
which flows a never-failing supply c
cold. crystal-clear spring water. "Th
GrottO" is a favOrite haunt of natur
lovers. and in addition to it's scent
attractions, it will also serve som
day as a source of supply for the pull
lie waterworks.
Outside of its many natural attrat
tions, Belleview has telegraph an
telephone conveniences, a good-size
railroad depot, with freight and e!
press offices, one of the best mar
aged post offices in the county, hot'
facilities for transients, several firs
class boarding houses, churches.
: fine public school, a Masonic lodg
} all kinds of mercantile supply house
an excellent ice cream and refresl
: ment parlor, and the prettiest litt
5 public library, built on the missio
: style. of rough, native stone, that b;
/ yet been erected in this section
? Florida
| The chief reason why Bellevue
! has continued TO advance steadily c
t the road to prosperity has been owir
2 10 the spirit of cooperation that b:
5 animated its citizens, making the
I pull together for the best interes
e of the community at all times.
Among the merchants, especial
= no more wide-awake and progressi'
class of workers will be found an