The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1922-04-21
SPLENDID ATTRACTIONS AT OR
ANGE SPRINGS

Orange Springs, Marion county
Florida, is located on the Ocklawaha
Valley Railroad. "a miles SOUTH of
Palatka, (pop. $1,000 and 80 miles
north of 0cala, (pop. 10000. 1t is
beautiful situation, high, well drain
ed and shaded by giant live oaks,
pines, magnolias and other varieties
of trees.
Before the Civil war this town pos
sessed tourist hotels and several
thriving industries. including a cot
ton gin factory, cotton gins, a grist
mill, saw mill, etc. The opening
up of the various large railroads, none
of which passed through this section
of the state, diverted tourist and 9TH
er trade to other points, and the ex-
ceedingly hard times of 1S94-5 caused
a considerable further reduction in
the population, more particularly
amongst the orange growers, as their
industry was practically in its infancy
at that, time. and suffered severely
from any setback,
! However, this town and the sur
rounding country still possess all
their original natural advantages. The
Sulphur Springs have long been noted
for their great medicinal qualities,
being particularly beneficial to suffer
ers from rheumatism and from skin
diseases. The climate is ideal, both
in summer and winter, and many
Florida people come from other points
rs to so miles distant to camp and
battle in the invigorating waters.
A hard road is now almost com
pleted connecting Orange Springs
with Palatka, and construction is
under way ON the last ten miles re-
quired to make hard road connect
ing through to Ocala. Thus, Orange
Springs being located on the most
direct route between Jacksonville
and Tampa and other southern points,
will be natural stopping place for
tourists. The surrounding country is
which, together with the Ocklawaha
river, offer excellent sport to devotees
of fishing, while hunters will find
plenty of game of all sorts in the
woods. There is, therefore, an ex-
cellent opening for good hotel, cat
ering not only to winter tourists, but
to other visitors who come here all
the year round A free site consist
ing of half an acre of ground, locat-
ed on the main thoroughfare, two
minutes walk from the railroad sta
ton and five minutes from the spring,
/ is offered to any responsible party
wishing to erect and operate hotel
These are not the only advantages,
| however. The swift current of the
| Ocklawaha river and it's tributaries
could be utilized to furnish power
and transportation. Raw material for
the manufacture of a wide range of
articles can be obtained close at hand
There is plenty of cypress, pine, oak,
hickory and other hard and soft
woods to be obtained right on the
spot Various kinds of basket ma
terial and many other products can
be obtained at a minimum of trouble
and expense.
Land can be purchased more cheap
ly than in any other part Of the state.
The soil is well suited to the produc-
ton of oranges, grape fruit and other
citrus fruits. Sugar cane is staple
and profitable crop Corn, potatoes,
(both Irish and sweet and practically
all vegetable and feed crops, peaches,
pears, plums, grapes and all small
fruit can be raised plentifully. Owing
to the free range hogs and chickens
can be kept at a minimum cost The
drinking water is the best to be had.
1t would be difficult to find a spot