The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-05-23

construction of the building was be-
gun in 1885, but the magnificent struc-
ture was not completed until the year
1888.
1t was then and is still regarded as
the finest and most unique piece of
architecture in the United States. 1t
is said to have cost four millions It's
completion increased the tourist trav-
ell to the state, which has annually
grown larger.
The vision that Mr. Flagler saw OF
a land of promise" did not stop with
the completion of the Ponce de Leon
hotel. and the Cordova and the Alca-
Ear quickly followed, giving a tinge
of Spanish. renaissance to the un-
slightly architecture of the quaint old,
historic city
While the building of a railroad
along the coral reefs of the coast TO
the city Of Key West may not have
taken definite hold on Mir. Flaglers
mind and may have been regarded
by him at the time merely as an iri-
descent dream he continued to work
along constructive lines. and was
strong in the belief that it was possi-
Bile to make the neglected east coast
the capstone to Floridas material ed
ifice This idea he kept ever in view
for he was at least certain that the
east and lower east coast. could be
made a great pleasure resort, to which
would flock the wealth and fashion Of
both hemispheres.
In 1883 Mr.. Flagler acquired the St
Johns and Palatka and the St. Johns
and Halifax properties, which gave
him a direct line from Jacksonville
to Palatka and Daytona The con-
solidated line was remodeled to stand
ard guage in 1889. The bridge was
built over the St Johns river at Jack
sOnville in 1890, which made it pos
sible to run through trains from New
York to st. Augustine without a stop
over at Jacksonville.
In 1898 he began his real construct
i've work in railroad building. and
pushed forward in a southerly direc-
ton as rapidly as possible At Or
mond DaytOna and Palm Beach he
erected beautiful hotels, then an al
most trackless wilderness. When he
sought an interview with the late
Henry B. Plant, and it was decided
that they meet at Palm Beach. Mr.,
Plant facetiously asked over the
wires: "Where is Palm Beach,"
quick response was flashed back:
Follow the crowds"
And the prediction was literally full
filed Wherever Mr.. Flagler led. the
crowds followed When he first Wis
tied Miami he slept in a tent, and
there were but twelve persons living
in radius of several miles. Miami
is now populous and growing city
of twenty thousand.
Mr.. Flagler laid out beautiful
grounds at Miami and in a little
while began the erection of still an
other hotel of comfort and luxury. He
deepened the harbor at his own ex-
pense and established a line of steam
ers between Miami and Nassau. and
erected still another of his palatial
hotels at the latter city.
He also built still another at Allan
tic Beach near Jacksonville, so like
string of pearls these luxurious pal
aces extend from Atlantic Beach to
MAMA distance of three hundred
and sixty-eight miles. Had he lived
a longer time, or had he not been so
long constructing the oversee rail
road it is believed that he would have
built other hotels at Key West and
Havana.
Mr. Flagler's restless spirit was not
content when he reached Miami. and
ever and anon the oversee railroad"
haunted him in his dreams and dis
turbed him in his waking hours. He
looked over the gulf to Key West like
We suppose Moses must have done in
his longings for the promised land. ;"
Mr.. Flagler had now gone as far
with his railroad as the land would
permit, but he did not hold his hands
and weep, as Alexander did. be-
cause he had no other lands 10 con
quer, Not boldly nor boastingly. but
with consummate courage. he said:
u shall make a conquest Of the sea-"
He accordingly sent out his engi-
neers, as Moses had sent his trusted
followers TO spy out the land" and
after being in the field for two years
they advised against it, but late in the
year 1904, a decision was reached
and an order was given to prepare for
the herculean task, and in April. 1905.
the colossal enterprise Was started.