Milford chronicle., 1931-01-23
Mr.. Cross Enjoying
Winter In Florida

~ NaNGSA ~ wa WV
Probably January 9 will be on
Of the most vivid recOllections W
will bring home with us from Flor
ida as a period; for it was thel
that we made a visit to one of tn
most beautiful structures and mem
orials to be found in Florida. II
company with Mr.. and Mrs. Ewinl
of South Bowers, Delaware, Mrs
Cross and myself went to see wha
is known as the Singing Tower
which was erected by Mr.. Book, q
wealthy man of New York, who
owned many thousand acres of Flor
ida land, and it was memorable in
deed for all who make the. trip. II
was by far the most interesting of
the many trips we have made as a
party in the past ten days.
The Tower in itself is beautiful to
look at from a distance, and it
stands on Iron Mountain and the
tourist visitors the day we were
there numbered about 1900 souls. 1t
was built by Edward w. Book as a
memorial for his wife, as well as
himself. His body lies at the base
of the beautiful structure, which is
POS feet high, 81 feet across at the
base, and built of.the most beautiful
granite of both Georgia and Florida,
trimmed with the marble from other
states. From its mountain location
it OVerlOOks Lake Wales. 1t is esti-
mated that $500 tons of stone COM
pose the tower. At the top is
mounted one of the most remark
able cOrrillions of bells in the Uni
ted States. The bell ringer, Anton
Brees, was born in Antwerp, and is
a master musician in corrilliOn mu-
sic.
The day being the first anniver-
sary of Mr.. Books death, a special |
program was played; the recital |
starting with silent Night" which
was one of Mr.. Books favOrites.
harmonizing with the beautiful sur
roundings and the beautiful sane
tuary. The surrounding grounds are
open for public visiting four days
each week, and the bells are played
for fOrty-fiVe minutes each after
noon commencing at three o'clock.
No fees are charged-eXcept 25c
for parking cars. No tongue can
tell, no pen can write, it is only for
the eye to see or the ear to hear the
beauty of a wonderful picture and
sound of the impressive music.
There are $3.50 acres about the
location of the Singing Tower on
Mountain Lake, all in bearing, which
paints a golden picture of citrOus
fruits. With field glasses can be
seen miles of orchards and several !
lakes.
In making this trip we left Tam
pa at a. M, and our first stop was !.
at Plant City, the great shipping
point for Strawberries. Hundreds of
trucks were being unlOaded into -,
cars for shipment to the North. E
From there we arrived at Winter 8
Haven, where we stopped for twen
y minutes to look over the centre S
If the town. 1t is well named, as [
many northerners were basking in +
he sun. From there on to the Sing /
ng Tower it was a beautiful drive, =
he day being warm and sunshine \
Welcome. 7
The grounds are models of neat
less and beautifully kept; and like ..
there were cars from ev- y
ry State so far as we could see, q q
With folks just enjoying the winter d
lays in a balmy climate in beauti- Ir
ul surroundings. -
1t is SO miles from Tampa to the a,
singing Tower, or Book Monument. y,
he roads are fine and well kept up
he entire way N
We returned by way of Lake \,
Wales, Barlow, and Mulberry, which Il,
lace is the great phosphate rock la
entire of Florida. 1t is a very busy g;
lace with men hustling about the to
uge machines which scoop out the fir
Ock to load on the cars for haul to
lg to the grinding factories and
hemical laboratories. We then get =
Ito Hopewell. which is also IL
section.
Through the section at every
ross roads were men, women and
lildren offering strawberries for
lie at twenty cents per quart,
rye, luscious and well ripened.
We arrived back at Tampa at six
m. well pleased with the days
ip.
Yours,
JOSEPH P. CROSS,