The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1947-08-14


rida tour where I left off Last
column at Panama City, I found
the growth and development OF
this Gulf Coast metropolis truly
amazing. 1t has ABOUT taken up
the slack caused by the closing
of the shipyards and reduction OF
military personnel that during
the war years turned it into a
nadhouse.
Its present industrial growth is
sound and of a permanent nature
and as a tourist resort it is grow
ing by leaps and bounds. Its
beaches are equal to any to be
found on the Gulf Coast while
sportsmen find it a veritable par
adise. The beach area attracts
thousands during the summer
season and construction has been
unable to keep up with the de-
mand for Accommodations.
Our party made up of publicity
and public relations men and
women from ali section of the
state was tremendously. impress
cd with the whole area we ira
versed. Many of them were MAX
ing their first trip into this sec
ton of Florida and because OF
this first hand knowledge of its
charms, beauties and advantages
they will be able to inform
others with authentic data and
information about this favored
territory.
If it's food you want, the finest
obtainable, perfectly prepared
and served, you stop at Carsons
located on the Gulf Coast High
way a short distance north of
Panama City. Here you will find
everything from a hamburger on
a bun to stuffed pheasant and a
courteous, appreeiative manage
ment that is genuinely concerned
about your patronage. Our group
dined there and we were SO i'm
pressed with the food, the ser
vice and the sincere hospitality
that we went on record with a
resolution of approval that was
unanimous.
A highlight of our trip was a
visit to the Florida Industrial
School for Boys at Mariana. Phe
average person thinks of it as. q
reform school or Jail for jul
venile delinquents. While it is
maintained for socially handicap
ped boys and boy is sentenced
TO d term there, it is no sense a
Jail On the contrary, under the
able management of Arthur G.. Do
zier, it is combination of boys
camp and school. Many of the
boys at the school are far better
off mentally, spiritually and ply
sically than they ever were at
home and here are being given
the first chance they have ever
known. There is no atmosphere
Of the penal institution. no uni
forms, no guards. The boys live
III a clean, wholesome setting
that cannot help but bring out
the best that is in them. They
learn worthwhile trades, have
ample opportunity for recreation
and from every standpoint the
school is a credit to the state and
to those responsible for it's man
agement.
Also at Mariana we visited
Florida Caverns State Park as
guests of the Florida Forest and
Park Service. This amazing nat
ural attraction is practically un-
KNOWN to :, most ,.Floridians 'TaAd
THE: Visitor ffsm Out of state Sci
dom hears of it. Located three
miles. north of Mariana, the
park is open the year round.
While the underground caverns
are not as extensive or develop
I'd as those of Carlsbad or Nam
moth Cave, they offer equal inte-
rest and entertainment.
Skillfully lighted, with well
constructed trails, these wonder
full caves present a never end
ing fairyland of weird and UNI
usual formations with stalagtites
and stalagmites glistening in the
lighted passage ways that seem
to wind through a labyrinth OF
avenues without beginning OF
end. 1t is probably Florida's only
completely aforementioned at
traction for the temperature re-
mains at approximately SO de-
greeS Fahrenheit at all times re-
gardless of the temperature
above ground
In addition to the interesting
and enchanting caverns, this in
viting State Park has natural
rock gardens. wild life, historical
values and recreational facilities
that make it a paradise for the
lover of nature and the out-of-
doors Those who have not visit
ed Florida Caverns State Park
have overlooked a remarkable at
traction and one of which the
state may we'll be proud.
Upon oNr arrival at Caverns
State Park we were warmly