Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25
FL ORIDA BECKONS WINTER SICK
MOTORIST OF NORTHERN LANDS
Good Roads, Astounding With History and
Scenic Beauty Lure Seekers of
Warmth and Sunshine.


The State Of Florida, like the auto
mobile industry, is expecting a come
back year. Early reports from the land OF
sunshine are bearing this hope out
Winter bathing and golf beckon tt
those who would escape the chills Of
the Northland. And, according to al
reports, this oasis of warmth can be
reached by delightful touring over gooc
roads.
Auto Club Gives Routes.
The Automobile Club of America
with headquarters in New York City
has made its survey on touring to the
land of Ponce de Leon. Principal
routes together with their historical
significance are given as follows with
many sideline attractions:
Leaving Washington, cross the Poto-
mac, and follow Federal route No.
through Alexandria, Dumfries and
Quantico into Fredericksburg, and then
straight on southwark into Richmond
one of Virginia's most historic cities
Much of interest may be seen in Capitol
Square, which covers IL acres of ground
in the center of the city. The Capitol
building was designed by Thomas JEFF
ferson, the foundation for which was
laid ir 1785, the building being finished
in 1892. During the Civil War, Rich
mond, in addition to being the capital
of Virginia, was also the capital for the
Confederacy. In the rotunda of the
building is the famous Houdon statue
of Washington, the sculptor coming
from Paris at the suggestion of Jeffer-
son to Mount Vernon to make the
image.
Petersburg Next.
Continuing along route one, Peters
burg Is the next important city on the
highway. This city played a big part
in both the Revolutionary and the
Civil wars and there is much of inter-
est to be seen. Perhaps the two great
est points for the tourist are Blandford
Church and the Crater Within the
walls of the cemetary stands the Ivy
mantled church whose handsome
stained glass windows were contributed
by the Confederate States in honor OF
their 10000 soldiers who were laid to
rest nearby.
The Crater is a spot of unusual inter-
est 1t is depression in the ground
caused by an explosion. This occurred
when the Federal troops back in 1864
set of the mine they had laid under
the Confederate fort here. 200 men were
killed by the explosion, and a great
rent torn in the Confederate lines
Their guns were Immediately turned on
the breach and in the ensuing conflict
5000 men from both armies were killed
OF present day interest is the fact
that Petersburg is a great tobacco city
the territory round about having pro-
duced great quantities of this product
from early times.
Leaving Petersburg continue along
route one through Dinwiddie, Alberta
South Hill, and across the State line
into North Carolina, then down through
Henderson, Franklinton and Wake
Forest into Raleigh, the capitol of the
State. This city is indeed a modern
city of the new South, one that COM
bines old Southern charm with mod
ern enterprise and progressiveness. OF
interest to the visitor is the historic
old State Capitol Building, famous fol
the beauty Of its architecture, the State
Hall of History, President Andrew
Johnson's birthplace, and four points
of special beauty, Christ Church, DID
Hill, the country club and the Fedora
cemetery. A 75-acre virgin forest Is
located three miles northeast of the
| Federal cemetery.
From Raleigh, run westward over tC
Cary, and still following route one &C
southwark and westward through San.
ford to Southern PIPES. Here leave tbs