The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-18
(By A. j. Holworthy Secretary Cham
Der of Commerce)

(By \. j. Holworthy, Secretary Cham-
Der of Commerce)
LAKELAND was little known to
the outside world when the first
piece Of literature was sent out only
a few short years ago by the pro-
moters of the Lakeland Chamber
OF Commerce. or Board of Trade as
it was then known. Visitors had been
coming year after year, attracted by
the altitude, he water, the climate
the grange groves, the many beauti-
full lakes and other alluring attrac-
tons and the question was asked and
repeated aeain and again. "Why
do YOU people not advertise what
you have?" The demand for some
sort of literature answering the
many questions, giving reliable in
formation to thousands in the North
and West who were becoming more
and more interested in Florida, grew
from one season to another until
such demand was met by the Lake
land News, then the only newspaper
in the town, which issued a beauti-
full supplement doinr much to create
gre alter interest in this community
which has grown from year to year
unit, now Lakeland is one of the
best known towns in the Stae. Set
tiers came here in those early days
attracted by the letters which went
north from some of our people tell
| ing Of the fertile lands awaiting
only the slightest cultivation in or
der to yield large and profitable
| crops, and when these settlers had
proved for themselves the truth of
the stories which had come to them
they themselves sent out the story OF
the ncighbors and friends in the old
/ home country and the cry for infor-
nation and literature was heard
| from that quarter. The first piece of
literature already referred to was
followed by another and even finer
edition which had wide circula-
ton Since that time pamphlets and
booklets have been issued by the
Board of Trade and two years ago
one of the finest booklets, a real
work of art, was sent out and has
brought to Lakeland and the sur
rounding country very large num-
Der of high class people who have
themselves helped in no small way
to build the Lakeland of today.
| When that first piece of literature
went out, only five years ago, Lake
land had no paved streets, no sew
orasc. few sidewalks, business
houses of only a very unpretentious
character. in short little more than
the average country town. Lake
land row has several miles of brick
and asphalt streets and is about
ready now to build several miles
more; sanitary sewerage; an eff
cient light and water plant munich
pally owned; an ornamental white
way covering the entire business
district; a modern fire-proof hoteI
costing nearly 100000; an audi.
forum seating 1900: q new railroad
passenger and freight depot; city
hospital with new $4,000 buildin
lin course of construction; fine up
to-date business houses. carrying
stocks adequate for all the needs OF
a town much larger; several indus
trial PLANTS which Nth the Atlantic
Coast Line railroad shops gives EN-
plovincnt to a large number of peo'
pie and furnishes big monthly
payroll
The water supply is the best in
the State; a modern, sanitary sewer
age system ensures the health of th'
peopIe and there is no more health
fuI city in the South. Taxes are moi
nigh. nine and one-half mills on an
average valuation of 10 per cent &C
tual worth. This, with the count!
land state millage Of 20 on bash
of so per cent valuation, gives a to
tai Of less than four per cent, which
in a progressive community like thi
is considered a very low rate of tax
alton.