Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1913-01-23
A SUNSHINE CITY
Phenomenal Growth and
Many Attractions Of St.
Petersburg, Fla.

Do YOU know what the Southern
railroad going south leads toward? 1t
leads toward City of almost perpetual
sunshine. Think of that! A city of
almost perpetual sunshine! And with
IN easy reach Of Hendersonvillians. A
through sleeper, via the Southern rail-
read, to Jacksonville-a days journey
over the Atlantic Coast Line and St.
Petersburg, "The Sunshine City" is
reached. '"The Sunshine City" where
strawberries are served at Christmas; /;
where roses and myriad tropical flow-
ers bloom throughout the winter in
riotous profusion, and delicious grape
fruit, oranges and tender green vegeta-
bles furnish a tempting mid-winter
menu; where still water and surf bath
ing afford a delightful diversion to
lovers of aquatic pastimes and where
the angler finds sport incompatible,
for the old Salts down on the coast Of
81. Petersburg can tell fish tales that
would cause a very perceptible ques-
ton point to form between the eye
broWs or call forth derisive smile
and yet the tales be true. ~
%$&@
But why is St. Petersburg called
"The Sunshine City?'' For the reason
that there are not many days in the
year when the sun-god fails to be pro-
pitious, for the sun-god, it is claimed,
has an indulgent way Of lavishing un-
due favors upon ST. Petersburg, which
to define it's geographical position, is
situated down on the western coast of
Florida on the southern boundary Of
the Pinellas sub-peninsula directly be-
tween Tampa Bay on the one side and
the Gulf of Mexico on the other. The
very location appeals 20 one as ideal
in every way and the stories told by re-
turning tourists of st. Petersbufgs
picturesque charm and beauty ergend-
er a desire upon ones part to learn
more of the place. Many have been
attracted to ST. Petersburg by uni
que advertisement, originated by The
Independent, which constitutes a
standing offer to give away its entire
edition every day in the year that the
sun fails to shine upon st. Petersburg
and The Independent has had to keep
its promise only fifteen times in twen-
ty-eight months, it is claimed.
Twenty-three years ago St Peters
burg was hardly known-then came
the Atlantic Coast Line-hotels and
boarding houses were built, and right
in this connection it may be added that
capitalists but recently have let the
contract for a three hundred thousand
dollar hotel for st. Petersburg, and a
rumor is current that four hundred
room hotel will probably be built In
the near future at cost of two hun
DIRE dand fifty thousand dollars. 1t Is
claimed that these hotels will be the
perfection Of art in architectural
achievement But to %resume-W1tn
the coming of the railroad tourists
focked to st. Petersburg, outside capl-
tai became attracted, investments 1ol-
lowed and the town built up with
steady healthful growth. During the
past ten years it's progress has been
marked by leaps and bounds. Tourists
from all over the states have Hooked TO
St Petersburg. Last season 20 thou
sand people enjoyed the hospitality for
which the town is famed. During the
past few weeks through trains nave
brought thousands of tourists from all
sections of the North, South, East and
West On January 18th, 1915 mem
bers of a congrega. Jon were counted
in one church alone, which goes to
prove that st. Petersburg is not remlss
in the matter of Sabbath observance.
How many towns of similar popula-
ton of little over eight thousand souls
can produce as good a record? Many
Of the tourists that go there for the
winter become year-round residents
1t is claimed that so many houses are
at present being built that the demand
for carpenters and day laborers cannot
be supplied. As The Daily Times, II
the writer remembers correctly, terse-
ly expressed it: ST. Petersburg is
spreading out in all directions like
big plant" It's growth during very re-
cent years has been almost phenom-
email
But how is one to account for st.
Petersburg's wonderful growth and It's
popularity as winter resort? Numer-
Gus reasons may be assigned: Prima-
rily-its ideal location, easy accessible
ity both by water and rail, its delight
ful climate, free from fog and malaria,
It's splendid system of schools, It's
church privileges, it's fine cement side
walks GO miles within city and many
miles outside), beautiful 1OO-foot
streets (17 miles pavedswith brick,) its
parks, pure water and all modern
city improvements, in a word its
moral, physical and civic strength, to
say nothing of its manifold places and
forms of fishing, bath
ing, rowing, sailing. ul> 'Hring, drlv-
ing, band concerts, public recept4~
interesting outside trips, States clubs,
and last but by no means least the in