Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-05-06
FIorida's Centennial.

The one-hundredth anniversary Of Florlda's
purchase by the United States from Spain oc-
ours in 1921, and as is entirely hitting, 1t is
planned to commemorate the event by a CEN
tennial celebration that will take the form OF
an international exposition at Jacksonville,
the metropolis of the State. 1t is proposed to
invite foreign countries, more especially the
nations of South America, to join in the COM
memoration by the erection OF buildings and
the exhibition OF their natural and manuLac-
'tured products.
Such an exposition not only will prove mu-
tually helpful to Florida and the South, on
the one hand, and Pan-America on the other,
but will help further to cement and strength
en- the relations between the United States
and the nations to the south The exposition
enthusiastically will attract to Florida, in par
ticular, and to the South generally, an I'M
usual tide of travel, the material Dement'S or
which will be reflected in many channels OF
industry and commerce.
Although it is not the site of Ponce de
Icons original landing in 1912, Jackson
ville as the metropolis, is near enough to st.
Augustine and affords such hotel facilities
and natural advantages as to make it the
logical site for the proposed exposition. IL
may be accepted, therefore, that the centen-
NAL will be commemorated at Jacksonville
Discovered by Ponce de eLon, in 1872, in
his search for the Fountain of Perpetual
Youth, Florida did not become part of the
United States until 1921, when by virtue OF
treaty, it was coded to the United States
by Spain, and in March of the following year
was organized as territory. 1t was admitted
to the Union in 1S45. From the foWery
wilderness of Ponce Icons time on down
until after it's admission to the Union the de-
velopment of Florida was slow and unpromis-
ing despite it sattractive climate and natural
advantages. 1t was not until the far-sighted
and lamented Henry M. Flagler, with his
courage and money, undertook the develop
ment of the State that it's present growth be-
gan. 1t has been properly suggested, in con-
nection with the proposed exposition, that une
it's attractions should be a memorial arch
in recognition and honor of Flagler, the first
great captain of industry to realize the posi-
bilities of Florida. Certainly the state is
greatly indebted to him. The East Coast rail-
Florida on the map, and have invited to the
state thousands of homeseekers and millions
in money Floridas wonderful resources and
unequalled climate never would have been
appreciated except for Flagler's railroads
which, in turn, have been followed by the
construction of a splendid system of good
roads throughout the State. .-
Although the development inaugurated by
the money and vision of Flagler have been
followed by great influx of capital and peo-
ple the possibilities of this fowery paradise
scarcely have been touched. An international
exposition at Jacksonville, commemorative
the one hundredth anniversary Of Floridas
purchase from Spain, would attract to the
State thousands of Americans and citizens of
other countries who would be charmed
and impressed that many would linger as per-
manents to join in the further development OF
the resources and industries Of Florida. 1t is
to be hoped that the plans for the Jackson
vile exposition take definite shape.