The Punta Gorda herald., 1922-12-29
PORT ST. JOE, FLORIDA
Citizens of Florida to Dedicate Monu-
ment on January nth.

Marking the place where the first
state constitutional convention was
held, one of the most unusual in
stances in modern history will be re-
called.
With the exception of the dead
cities of the Montezumas of Mexico
and of the Incas of South America,
! there is no record in American his
, tory of a city that sprang into prom
lnence in commerce and industry and
then disappeared from the face of
the earth, leaving little or no record
of its existence. But such was the
case of the city of st. Joseph, which
stood on the shores of st. Joseph's
Bay nearly century ago.
This town at one time was the
most important in the state, and it
came near being selected as the capi-
tai of Florida. 1t was the terminus
OF the second steam railway line con-
structed in the United States, and
because of its prominence it was
selected as the city for the first con-
stitutional convention in 1888. The
convention met Dec. 8, 1898, and
drew up the document under which
Florida entered the United States.
hence st. Joseph is considered the
birthplace of Florida. The docu-
clio H.
to the convention on Jan. II, 1889.
and it is the sponding day that
has been selected for the dedication
Of the monument which the state
erected at cost of $4,000. Cover
nor Cary A. Hardee is TO make the
dedication address.
The town of st. Joseph was found
ed about 1892, when the St. joseph
u lola railroad was contemplated. |
This line was opened up in 1896.
and the st. Joseph & Lake Wimico
canal had proved futile as a means
OF communication. The arrow-like |
of this old railroad still |
pierces the pine forests of Calhoun |
county, and for many miles the ma
tional beeline highway follows its
course. The locomotives of this rail
road were fitted with upright cylin
ders, and the rails of the track were
laid on wood stringers. The CITY
of ST. Joseph adopted an
ordinance in 1910 prohibiting loco
motives coming west of CHERRY
street. for fear of causing fire. The
JOCK of the railroad extended moro
.han LOCO feet into the bay. and the
brought 100000 bales of
cotton yearly to the city, and it was
out to foreign ports.
Except with a brief reference hero
md there in published histories. and q
what dim memories have been left :
~ pioneers who resided in St. Josenb 4
'r visited there when the city was in
IS prime, the story of this city has Il
leVer been told until recently. In d
history Of st. Joseph, G. f. West {
'loneer of West Florida, and news )
a9er editor Of St. Andrews, Florida o
tates that St Joseph supported at "
east one bank, the Commercial Bank 81
I Florida, seminary, numerous mer- b
antlle establishments. and several n
ostelries. An act of the legislature II
the territory passed in 1889 Great te
the St Joseph Board of Com N
lerce, The st. Joseph Times was 81
uolshed by Peter Gautier, ir.. who TO
as q. S. Marshal for the Apalacbi-
'la district. A large racetrack = OF
lie outside the city was one of the
'lncipal attractions. and the arena sh
ke circle of this old speed coursa Jun
Ill remains amongst the woods ev
'arby During its prime st. Josenh di,
said by some to have had a ponu- Gu
ton of 10000, this being abont or
40. Some few members of popu- fac
business firms of the city tell Of wi