The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-04-09
MILTON, COUNTY SEAT
OF SANTA ROSA, Is A
PROGRESSIVE CITY

ment as well as one OF the richest
men of his day. He was the father
Of several children, who today OPP
crate several Of the different enter
prises which he commenced years
ago.
HOodIess Shipyard.
The Hoodless shipyard Is another
of the prosperous enterprises Of Mil
ton. This plant has stood the test
of time and is still doing the best
business in it's history. This shipyard
was established by Capt. John Hood
less about the middle Of the nine
teenth century. He continued TO man.
age it until death several years ago,
At his death the property passed into
the hands Of his children, and today
Captain John Hoodless, one of the
formers sons, Is at the head OF the
enterprise. It would be hard to find
better equipped ship building plant
on the gulf coast than this historic
plant. No better work can be done
for shipping than that which Ii turn
ed out here every day. Enlaryements
Of this plant have continued from
time to time until today the pay roll
constitutes one of the factors IN the
towns business life.
Milton is located at q point where
the fresh water of the Blackwater
river mixes slightly with the salt wa
ter from Pensacola bay. It is, there
fore, considered the best storage To-
cation for square timber on the gulf
coast. Timber is kept here in large
quantities by many timber merchants
of West Florida and other points.
The fresh water protects it from the
ravages of the worms which usually
feed upon it in salt water. The salt
water coming in contact with it for
few hours each day as the tide
rises and falls protects it from the
insects which usually infest fresh wa
ter. So the lumber and timber which
is stored here in great quantities gets
all the protection which could come
to it anywhere else on the globe. This
has been discovered by timber deal
ers for hundreds of miles around and
they are continually sending trainioad
after trainload of their wares here
for storage and shipment.
Took on New Life.
About the beginning of the present
century Milton took on a new life
and has continued to grow and pros
per until today few towns can offer
as much to the homeseeker in the
way Of good schools, good roads and
civic enterprises generally.
The old frame school building
(which stood for nearly half century
in Berry Hill street near the GENE
terry was destroyed by fire about two
years ago. Today a modern brick
building situated near the L. & n
depot houses one of the best schools
In West Florida. This building is
model of neatness and convenience
1t Is two stories high above the base
ment, and has enough class rooms to
supply the demands for several years
yet to come.
A large auditorium occupies a part
Of the ground floor, while complete
steam heating plant is located in the
basement. The principal has been
provided a residence at one side OF
the campus, and he will be always
near enough to give personal super
vision to the play grounds at play
time, as well as to the school build
ing during study hours. The prin-
cipars residence is furnished free by
the school board, and is one of the
choice residences of the town. It Is
two story structure and sufficiently
large to accommodate any ordinary
! family. The school building is the
pride of all Milton people. A great
deal of interest is being manifested
in the towns educational advance
ment by people in all parts Of Santa
y Rosa county.
| A few years ago an old-fashioneC
chain ferry was the only means which
ueople living east or west of Miltor
| had Of crossing the Blackwater river
Therefore, much of the business O
that section east Of this stream wen
to other places more convenient u
the residents of that part of the coun
ty. A few years ago agitation wal
commenced by Milton people, and als'
bv those living on the east side o.
Blackwater river for a bridge across
that stream to be used instead Of thu
antiquated ferry which had done serv
ice for so many years.
Modern Steel Bridge
The outcome of this agitation ha
been the erection of modern stec
bridge across the river. This hridg
spans the stream in the heart OF Nil