USA > Florida > Duval County > Jacksonville > Webb's Jacksonville directory, 1886 > Part 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
Saloons.
KING J. N. & CO., Orange av n Church Lester & Ross. Pine n Orange av METCALF HARRY W., Orange av bet Pine and Church
Sewing Machines.
Browning John F. & Richard T., Court n Opera House
Soda Water-Manufacturers of. Bohlen J. C. H., Garland av n South
491
WEBB'S ORLANDO DIRECTORY.
Stables.
Foster P. A., Orange av c Central av PATRICK JAMES J., Pine, East Charles- ton House (for ad. see index) REEL E. J., Orange av opp jail (for ad. see index)
Stair Builders.
COPELAND, STARBIRD & CO., Pine n Division (see index for ad.)
Stoves and Tinware.
DEADERICK & CO., Orange av n Church
Stucco Workers and Plasterers.
NICOLL GEORGE, Court n Pine (for ad. see index)
Surveyors.
Fries John O., Court House
Tin, Sheet Iron and Copper Workers. Banks Edmund R., Church n Orange av Undertakers.
Richards Edgar A., Court n Pine
Watchmakers and Jewelers.
Felumb Louis Th., Orange av n Church Hopffgarten B V., Orange av n Pine Prag Morris, Orange av n Church Sherman William C., Orange av opp Charleston House
Smith Constantine O., Church n Court
Window Shades.
SCHUTZ BROS., Orange av n Pine (for ad. see index)
Wood Turners.
COPELAND, STARBIRD & CO., Pine n Division (see index for ad.)
ORLANDO NOVELTY WOOD WORKS, Gertrude av c South (for ad. see index)
Wood Yards.
Cordson Hiram A., T. & O. R. R. at Wil- dentown
Worsteds.
SCHUTZ BROS., Orange av n Pine (for ad. see index)
APPENDIX.
ORANGE COUNTY OFFICERS-1887.
County Judge-John L. Bryan.
Clerk of Court-T. J. Shine.
States Attorney-J. D. Beggs. Sheriff-J. C. Anderson.
Treasurer-C. W. Jaycocks.
Assessor-J. M. Owens.
Collector-J. R. Montague.
County Commissioners-C. Johnson, Chairman ; D. B. Stewart, L. P. Hughey, B. F. Whitner, J. P. Hughey.
Board of Public Instruction -- C. H. Tuxbury, Chairman ; E. C. Morgan, P. A. Foster, R. A. Mills, N. C. Bryan.
Superintendent of Schools-J. T. Beeks.
Auctioneer -- T. W. Shine.
County Surveyor and Deputy U. S. Surveyor -- J. O. Fries.
COURTS .- Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Dis- trict of Florida .- Judge, E. K. Foster ; States Attorney, J. D. Beggs ; Clerk, T. J. Shine ; Sheriff, J. C. Anderson. Meets at Court House second Monday in December and May. The Judge meets in Chambers the first Wednesday after the first Monday in each month.
Orange County Court .- Judge, John L. Bryan. Meets at Judge's office, Court House, second Thursday in each month, and daily for probate business.
Mayor's Court .- Meets at City Hall every week day, at 9 a. m. ORLANDO CITY GOVERNMENT-1887.
City Election, Last Saturday in July.
Mayor-E. J. Reel.
Clerk and Secretary and Treasurer-C. T. Gooding.
Marshal and Collector-P. C. Hodges.
Board of Aldermen-C. E. Lartigue, Chairman ; O. W. Prince, N. L. Mills, James L. Giles, E. R. Gunby, A. H. Birnbaum, W. W. Deaderick.
City Surveyor-A. C. Aldrich
Board of Health-The Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
City Attorney-J. D. Beggs.
Physician-J. W. Hicks.
POLICE DEPARTMENT .- P. C. Hodges, Marshal ; W. H. Bryant, L. J. Hodges, Patrolmen ; Messrs. Giles, Gunby and Birnbaum, Street, Sanitary and Improvement Commissioners.
FIRE DEPARTMENT .- John W. Weeks, Chief; W. C. Sherman, and C. T. Gooding, Assistants.
493
WEBB'S ORLANDO DIRECTORY.
The Wilden Steam Fire Engine Co., No. 1 .- P. W. Lownes, Foreman ; J. H. Stevens, Assistant Foreman ; C. D. Sulli- van, Secretary ; E. A. Richards, Treasurer. City Hall Building.
Orlando Hose, No. 1 .- C. A. Wimer, President ; George C. Munger, Secretary ; C. T. Gooding, Treasurer; W. F. Barnes, Foreman. Meets at Council Chambers the first Wednesday of each month, at 3 p. m.
Orlando Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1 .- A. H. Birn- baum, President ; Nat. Schutz, Secretary ; H. G. Garrett, Fore- man ; T. S. Coart, Assistant Foreman.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS .- No. 1 .- Orange av. R. M. Smith, Principal. There are about 300 scholars in No. 1.
No. 79, (Colored.)-At Wildentown. Johnson Worth. There are about 140 scholars in No. 79. The schools are graded from Primary to Grammar. The term is five months, commencing Oc- tober 1st.
CHURCHES .- The First Congregational Church of Orlando .- Organized January 22d, 1885. Rev. S. D. Smith, Pastor ; Smith, J. C. Williams, Deacons ; J. G. Sinclair, N. L. Mills, R. G. Morgan, A. R. Hargrave, W. C. Canfield, Trus- tees. Services every Sunday morning in Opera House ; Sabbath School immediately preceding.
Methodist Episcopal Church, South .- Main c Jackson. Rev. C. E. Pelote, Pastor ; Trustees, J. A. Beal, James Butt, James Knox, L. J. Dollins, I. Fletcher ; Superintendent Sunday School, W. G. Johnson.
Orlando Baptist Church .- Pine west of So. Fla. R. R. Rev. A. L. Farr, Acting Pastor ; John S. Hudson, E. H. Rice, Deacons ; E. H. Rice, Clerk ; Mrs. A. L. Farr, Organist ; George Pierce, Sexton ; J. S. Hudson, Superintendent Sunday School ; E. H. Rice, Assistant Supt. ; J. B. Nokes, Librarian.
Orlando Presbyterian Church .- Central av bet Orange av and Gertrude av. Rev. Henry Keigwin, Pastor ; Elders, J. W. Anderson, W. C. Stubblefield, S. E. Ives, James McRea ; B. Gould, Clerk of Sessions ; Deacons, W. B. Ketcham. Chairman ; George R. Newell, Secretary ; R. J. Gillham, Treasurer ; H. C. Munger and R. G. Dick, Trustees.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH .- St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church .- Orange av n Arcade Hotel. Rev. Felix P. Swembergh, Rector. This church has recently been completed. It is a wooden structure costing about $6,000, and is the only Ro- man Catholic Church in Orlando. Services, Second and Fourth Sundays of every month, at 10 a. m., throughout the year. Special winter services 7:30 p. m., on above named Sundays.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church .- The Rev. Charles D. Bar- bour, Rector ; church and residence on Main Street. Services, Sundays, at 10:30 a. m., and 7 p. m. Holy Communion celebrated
WEBB'S ORLANDO DIRECTORY.
on first Sunday of each month, and on special festivals. Sunday School session at 9:30 a. m. Week day services Wednesday morn - ings and on each Saint's day. Women's Guild meets on second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Women's Auxiliary meets first Monday in each month. Vestry meeting on the second Fri- day of each month. J. W. Greetham, William Nall, Haden, Thomas Gray, Vestry. Baptisms on the last Sunday of each month. Receptions by the Rector on Tuesday afternoon of each week. Senior Warden, J. W. Greetham. Junior Warden, Haden.
AFRICAN CHURCHES .- African Methodist Episco- pal Church .- At Wildentown. Pastor, Rev. Samuel H. Cole- man ; Stewards, R. E. De Vaughn, Thomas Glover, Daniel Lamp- kins, Lee Rutherford, Lawrence Simpkins ; Trustees. R. E. De Vaughn, Thomas Glover, Augustus Jackson, Moses Hagan, Neil Shaw, Henry Dunlap, J. B. Blankinsee ; Superintendent Sunday School, Joseph H. Davis.
Mount Zion Baptist .- At Wildentown. Pastor, Rev. Ev- art C. Jones ; Deacons, E. B. Box, Richard Downey, D. Thomas ; Clerk, H. H. Thomas; Superintendent Sunday School, N. L. Jackson.
St. Stephen's Primitive Baptist .- At Wildentown. Rev. Randolph Morris, Pastor ; Esset Herring, Deacon.
BANKS .- First National Bank of Orlando .- Johnson's Block, Orange av c Pine. Capital $50,000-privilege of $250,000. Incorporated 1886. Commenced business as a private bank No- vember, 1882; as a National Bank, April, 1886. Charles Joy, President ; Nat. Poyntz, Vice-President ; J. H. Vivion, Cashier ; William B. Newton. Assistant Cashier ; John B. Poyntz, Teller ; Oliver T. Poyntz and John B. Nokes, Bookkeepers ; William H. Nall, Collection Clerk ; James W. Duke, Clerk ; Charles Joy, Nat Poyntz, James H. Vivion, Thomas J. Shine, Edwin P. Hyer, John G. Sinclair Directors, Wm. J. Copeland (deceased.) Discount daily.
Orange County Bank .- Orange av c Pine. Not incorpo- rated. Capital $25,000. Commenced business March, 1885. C. A. Haley, Cashier ; Charles H. Smith, Attorney.
BOARD OF TRADE .- This body meets the first Friday after the first Monday of each month, in the Council Chamber at 3 p. m. sharp. Officers : Edward Kuhl, President ; T. J. Shine, Vice-President ; James A. Knox, Treasurer ; Mahlon Gore, Secre- tary ; Thomas C. Grey, Assistant and Corresponding Secretary ; Edward Kuhl, Nat. Poyntz, Joseph Bumby, P. W. Lownes, T. J. Shine, C. A. Boone, Nat. Schutz, S. E. Ives, L. O. Garrett, Board of Directors. Committee on Transportation : This committee is composed of the chairmen of the several others. Committee on Public Works and Manufactures : W. H. Reynolds, E. J. Reel, L. J. Watkins, L. O. Garrett, George W. Papot. On Statistics and Market Reports : S. E. Ives, W. A. White, S. S. Waterhouse,
495
WEBB'S ORLANDO DIRECTORY.
P. Bewan, L. C. Vaughan. On Legislation : D. D. Porter. M. R. Marks, Charles Joy, M. C. Rerdell, John W. Weeks. On Arbi- tration and Complaints : C. E. Lartigue, B. T. Kuhl, W. W. Deaderick, A. H. Birnbaum, S. A. Robinson. On Appeals : Ed. Hammond, R. J. Gillham, James Delaney, E. P. Hyer, J. M. Wile- cox, Jr. On Miscellaneous Interests : James K. Duke, J. L. Mair- son, J. H. Livingston, Dolph Edwards, T. J. Shine, A. M. Corzel- ius, C. A. Haley.
SOCIETIES .- Masonic. - Orlando Lodge, No. 69 .- Meets 2d and 4th Tuesday nights each and every month at Masonic Hall.
Eureka Royal Arch Chapter, No. 7 .- Thomas C. Grey, Secretary. Meets Masonic Hall first and third Tuesdays in each month.
African Lodge, Wildentown. - Meets every first and third Friday evenings in each month.
I. O. O. F .- Orlando Lodge, No. 20 .-- Meets every Tuesday night, O. F. Hall.
K. of P .- Welcome Lodge, No. 9 .- Frank Davis, P. C. : C. K. Needham, C. C .; W. S. Wagstaff, V. C. ; A. M. Corzelius, K. of R. & S. and M. of F. ; George Munger, M. of E. ; W. L. Palmer, P. J. ; Ed. L. Sears, M. of A. ; L. M. Boykin, I. G. ; B. B. Camp- bell, O. G.
Orlando Division, No. 1 .- L. J. Watkins, U. R. S. K. C. ; Frank Bennett, L. C. ; J. L. Bryan, Herald ; W. S. Wagstaff, Re- corder ; J. Bumby, Treasurer.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR .- Orlando Lodge 3189 .- Meets at Masonic Hall every first and third Friday evenings of each month.
G. A. R .- U. S. Grant Post, No. 10. G. A. R .- Meets on the first and third Friday evenings of each month at Odd Fellows Hall.
A. O. U. W .- Eola Lodge No. 6 .- Meets at Masonic Hall every second and fourth Friday evenings of each month.
SONS OF TEMPERANCE .- Orlando Division, No. 62 .- Meets every Tuesday evening at Odd Fellows Hall.
ORLANDO TELEPHONE EXCHANGE .- Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Co., props. ; John J. O' Rourke, manager, Orange av n Pine.
NEWSPAPERS .- Orange County Reporter .- Orange av c Oak. Mahlon Gore, editor and proprietor. Established in 1877. Democratic, weekly, $2 a year. W. S. Wagstaff, assistant editor ; George H. Munger, business manager.
496
WEBB'S ORLANDO DIRECTORY.
The South Florida Sentinel .- Central av c Main. Estab- lished March, 1885. Issued Wednesdays. Latimer C. Vaughn, editor and proprietor. Weekly, $2 a year. Democratic, nine column paper.
The Orlando Daily Record .- Established March 30, 1886. Successor to Orlando Daily Graphic. Editor, Dolph Edwards ; city editor, Charles A. Wimer ; business manager, Charles Cousen. Politics, Independent. Issued every morning except Mondays. Terms, $5 per year, or 50 cents per month. A seven column folio. Orlando Printing Co., publishers and proprietors, Pine n Post Office.
Orlando Y. M. C. A. Bulletin .- Monthly. Established Oc- tober, 1886. Frank B. Brantly, editor. Twenty-five cents per annum. Office, Pine n Court.
MILITARY .- The Orlando Guards .- T. J. Shine, Capt. ; L. O. Garrett, 1st Lieut. ; T. S. Coart, 2d Lieut. Meet at Armory Building every Monday night.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION .- Rooms, Pine n Court. Hours, 8 a. m. to 9 p. m. Ingram Fletcher, President ; W. J. Canfield, E. H. Rice and E. A. Coldwell, Vice- Presidents ; George R. Newell, Treasurer ; Frank A. Curtis, Re- cording Secretary. Chairmen of Committees .- Devotional, J. C. Williams ; Missionary, A. W. Starbird ; Visiting, William J. Canfield ; Rooms, F. A. Curtis ; Reception, W. A. White ; Edu- cational, George R. Newell ; Membership, F. H: Latham ; Fi- nance, J. L. Giles.
BANDS .- The Orlando Cornet Band .- Carl Warfield, Leader. Fifteen pieces. Meets every Monday night at Armory Building.
GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANIES .- Orlan- do Gas and Electric Light Company .- Incorporated 1886. Capital $50,000. President, N. L. Mills ; Vice-President, T. J. Shine ; Secretary, J. Edward Allen ; Treasurer, Nat. Poyntz; Di- rectors, N. L. Mills, T. J. Shine, Nat. Poyntz, W. R. Anno, J. B. Parramore. This company will be in full operation the present season.
INCORPORATED COMPANIES .-- South Florida Foundry and Machine Company .- Central av c So. Fla. R. R. N. L. Mills, President ; P. W. Lownes, Secretary and Treas- urer ; C. E. Johnson, Superintendent ; Directors, E. Frank Sperry, Nat. Poyntz, J. B. Parramore.
Orlando Fruit Company .- South c Gertrude av. Incorpo- rated September, 1886. C. A. Haley, Treasurer ; Harry A. Fletch- er, Secretary ; Directors, C. A. Haley, George Z. Dow, Harry A. Fletcher. Preserving fruits and manufacturers of orange wine.
Florida Orange Hedge Fence Company .- Incorporated 1885. Capital $200,000. Office Pine near Court. Collis Ormsby, Secretary.
497
WEBB'S ORLANDO DIRECTORY.
Orlando Ice Manufacturing Company .- Orange av n Livingstone. Dwight D. Porter, President ; Robert Howe, Secre- tary and Treasurer.
Post Office .- Pine c Main. Edward W. Speir, P. M. ; L. G. Harper, Assistant P. M. ; Levy Clippinger, Money Order Clerk ; Leon De Lisle, Mailing Clerk ; W. K. Tatum, General Delivery Clerk.
SKATING RINKS .- Orlando Skating Club .- Charles A. Wimer, President ; George B. Rice, Secretary and Treasurer. Orlando Opera House. Open Tuesday and Friday nights.
The Orange County Bar Association .- Incorporated De- cember 5th, 1885. Andrew Johnson, Orlando, President ; Thomas C. Wilson, Sanford, Vice-President ; John C. Jones, Orlando, Secretary ; Dwight D. Porter, Orlando, Treasurer; Directors, J. D. Beggs, Andrew Johnson, E. M. Hammond, A. B. Longaker, all of Orlando. Regular meetings November 13th each year.
OPERA HOUSES -Orlando Opera House .- House will seat 800. Handsome scenery by Hosman & Landis, Chicago. Large stage. Charles A. Wimer, Charles D. Sweet, proprietors.
RAILROAD COMPANIES .- Orlando and Southern Railroad .- Names of officers not received at the time this book went to press.
The Orlando Street Railway Company .- Incorporated 1886. Capital $50,000. President, T. J. Shine; Vice-President, N. L. Mills ; Secretary and Treasurer, J. D. Beggs ; Directors, T. J. Shine, Nat. Poyntz, J. B. Parramore, J. D. Beggs, William J. Copeland (deceased). This road begins at the So. Fla. R. R. and T., O. & A. depots, Gertrude av c Church, running east through Church, to Orange av, thence south through Orange av, with branches.
Orlando, Lake Jessup and Indian River R. R .- Incor- porated 1886. Capital $50,000. President, Nat. Poyntz ; Secretary and Treasurer, T. J. Shine ; Directors, Nat. Poyntz, T. J. Shine, M. R. Desha, R. A. Mills, J. B. Parramore. This road will run from Orlando to the Atlantic ocean via Lake Irma, Oviedo, and Chulu- ota, about fifty miles. The survey is now being made.
The Orlando and Winter Park Railway Company .- President, R. J. Gillham ; Secretary, George R. Newell : Treas- urer, J. T. Beeks ; Superintendent and Engineer, J. H. Abbott. To run between Orlando and Winter Park, a distance of five miles.
Orlando, Oakland and Atlantic R. R .- Incorporated 1886. Capital $100,000. President, John G. Sinclair : Vice-Presi- dent, T. J. Shine ; Secretary, E. R. Gunby : Treasurer, Edw. Kuhl ; Directors, John G. Sinclair, T. J. Shine, E. R. Gunby, John W. Weeks, N. L. Mills, Edw. Kuhl, T. C. Grey. This road will run from Oakland on south shore of Lake Apopka east to Atlantic coast, about fifty miles. A preliminary survey has been made for this road.
498
WEBB'S ORLANDO DIRECTORY.
Apopka and Atlantic R. R .- Incorporated 1885. Author- ized Capital, $100,000. President, Legh. O. Garrett ; Vice-Presi- dent, John A. Prentis ; Secretary and Treasurer, Hardy G. Gar- rett ; Auditor, William A. White; Directors, Legh. O. Garrett, Hardy G. Garrett, William A. White, Thomas J. Shine, John W. Weeks, Col. R. H. C. Drury-Lowe, William I. McKee, Orlando, John A. Prentis, Woodbridge, D. C. McCall, Apopka, George Frost, Boston. This road is now being built from Woodbridge P. O., or Mayo, a station on South Florida R. R., eight miles north of Orlando to Clay Springs, ten miles northwest of Mayo. It is ironed to Forest City, five miles, and will be completed and run- ning during the present season.
Tavares, Orlando & A Atlantic Railroad Company .- General office at depot. Capital $384,000. John A. Henderson, President ; Alexander St. Clair Abrams, Vice-President ; Charles Joy, General Manager ; Nathaniel Poyntz, Treasurer ; Charles B. Duke, Secretary ; Thomas M. T. McKennan, Superintendent ; James B. Mattair, Master Mechanic ; Directors-John A. Hender- son, Tallahassee, Florida ; Clarence I. Peck, Chicago, Illinois ; Joseph H. Durkee, Jacksonville ; Nathaniel Poyntz, Orlando ; Alexander St. Clair Abrams, Tavares ; Leo P. Wescott, Orlando, Eugene Higgins of Jacksonville. This road was built and opened June 1st, 1885. Broad gauge. It runs from Orlando to Tavares, 32 miles, where it connects with the F. R. & N. Co.'s system of railroads, as well as the Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West and the Florida Southern. At Orlando it connects with the South Florida.
South Florida Railroad Company .- For particulars see Sanford Directory
TELEGRAPH COMPANIES .- South Florida Tele- graph Company .- John A. Clark, Manager, So. Fla. R. R. depot. Open 7 a. m. to 8 p. m. Sundays 8:30 to 9:30 a. m. and 7 to 8 p. m.
Inter-Ocean Telegraph Company .- T. O. & A. R. R. «depot.
KISSIMMEE.
[THE TROPICAL CITY.] Population 1886, 782 ; 1887, 1,384.
"Eureka ! I have found it !" expresses the idea of the tired tourist as he leaves the train here. The picture which greets his eye is one
He long had sought, And moaned because He found it not.
Leading from the railroad platform, in front of the Tropical Hotel, is a wide walk to its hospitable entrance. Tall trees, roses, flowers and tropical shrubbery ornament the hotel grounds, and from the wide piazzas is seen Lake Tohopekaliga, with its blue, sparkling waters, and scenes of lovely islands, the whole forming a panorama of southern scenery not easily forgotten. To write of The Tropical is to describe the entrance to the city, for it is its gate-the Gibralter, as it were, of Kissimmee-at which the trav- eler should enter. Through it and beyond is a thriving city, which in 1882 existed only in name. Broadway, the main business thoroughfare, is about one hundred feet in width, and is lined on either side with new buildings of rich architectural designs ; promi- nent among which is the Kissimmee City Bank and the business office and residence of Mr. William Cannon, the leading real estate dealer of Kissimmee.
It is only a few years since that this section was the favorite camping ground of the historical Seminole. Their wigwams were the only habitations to be seen around the shores of the lakes, and white settlers were few and far between. Where the town now stands warriors were wont to assemble in council, and the country is still full of relics which can not fail to prove interesting to pil- grims in this sunny clime.
Later on, civilization advanced its outposts, and the savage sought other fields. A few adventurous settlers erected houses, but it was not until some years later that the advantages of the location for a town became known ; but when it was realized that. at no distant day, this point would become a distributing centre for one of the largest and most fertile tracts of country in the whole State, settlers began to pour in, and it was not long until the solitude was banished forever.
Notwithstanding that the Seminoles have been pushed one hun- dred or more miles south of this point, they have not lost their affection for it, but make periodical excursions to this spot in their dug-out canoes, bringing hides, skins, furs, venison, &c., to ex- change for Wyoming (whiskey), trinkets, &c., &c. The writer, in November, '86, saw a number of them enjoying the hospitality of the whites in their own peculiar way.
Kissimmee is situated on the South Florida Railroad, 40 miles south of Sanford, in the southern portion of Orange county, at the head of a chain of lakes and on the northern shore of Lake Tohopekaliga. Kissimmee is an Indian name meaning "long water," and is the child of the Okeechobee Drainage Co., for
500
WEBB'S KISSIMMEE DIRECTORY.
through its efforts that city made its advent in the list of enter- prising cities of South Florida, and its continued efforts will place Kissimmee high up on the list of populous cities in the State, for it is and always will be the metropolis of all that region of 8,000, - 000 to 10,000,000 of acres which lie tributary to the chain of lakes and canals. South from this point the lands bordering the lakes, as well as the territory along the Kissimmee River, are notably the richest in the State, and, when improved, will yield remunera- tive crops of sugar cane, rice, corn, jute, sisal hemp, etc.
The rich bottom lands are superior to those of Louisiana for the cultivation of sugar cane.
Steamers make regular trips from Kissimmee to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of 250 miles or more.
It may justly be said that this city is the border line of civiliza- tion, for it is here that one catches a view of the Indian, and knows something of the great undiscovered country, "The Ever- glades " beyond.
Narcoossee, an English settlement, is a few miles distant, ac- cessable by land or water, where are domiciled a large and suc- cessful colony from the mother country. They make Kissimmee their headquarters for business, banking, &c., and are represented here by Messrs. Fell & Davidson.
There are two railroads in process of construction, which are to terminate at Kissimmee. The Florida Midland, which starts at Lake Jessup, crossing the South Florida at Altamont, running on to Apopka, crossing the Tavares, Orlando and Atlantic at that point, thence down the east side of Lake Butler to Kissimmee.
The other is to run from Tavares, down the west side of Lake Apopka, thence along the west side of Lake Butler to Kissimmee.
Both of these roads are expected to be completed and in run- ning order during the present winter.
The growth of Kissimmee is a sure indication of its success. It has doubled its population in one year. The following poem from the pen of that gifted Flordian, the Hon. Columbus Drew, is in keeping with the romantic history of the city and a most suitable ending to this sketch :
KISSIMMEE.
A Briton who came with the banners of Spain,
A knight, with Melendez, across the blue main, Here landed with him on Seloy's palmy shore,
Where the waves of Matanzas sang sadly of yore. Scarce the rampart was built on the verge of the lea, Ere he mounted his charger and rode from the sea. He came to a river, as strange and as wild As the vision he met there, a wondering child Of the forest, a woman, who never before Saw a knight in his armor or plume that he wore. The wonder was pleasant-he shared it with her, And his blood mounted high, like his steed from the spur,
Nor her low-falling lashes nor brownness of skin Could hide the soft tell-tale of blushes within. One language was spoken, the language of bliss ; The knight turned to leave, saying " give me a kiss";
And the maiden, all sad, left the knight from the sea,
And spoke a new tongue, "Kiss-him-me ! Kiss-him-mee !" And the breezes that wafted the cry where they met Settled down on the river, and whisper it yet.
KKISSIMMEE
10/20
is located on the South Florida Railroad in the southern portion of Orange County, and is beautifully situated at the head of Lake Tohopekaliga, and is the head of navigation to the Gulf of Mexico. This lake is surrounded by fertile lands and is studded with a number of lovely islands. There is no prettier body of water in the whole State, and at this point the tourist, pleas- ure secker, and invalid, will find a spot where nature continually wears her sunniest smiles, and where not only health but all kinds of enjoyment can be found. Health-giving pine woods, summer skies, and a magnificent sheet of water, boating, fishing, hunting, hard drives across the prairies, ete., are some of the things which enable the visitor to pass the time pleasantly.
A number of years ago, this was a favorite spot with the Seminole Indians, and the country is filled with relics. These Indians-what has been left of them-have moved their wigwams to fields farther south, where civilization and its influences will not be in such close proximity to them. Occasionally small bands of them come to Kissimmee to do their trading, and dispose of their handiwork
The town has a frontage upon the lake of over a mile, and has a natural drainage surpassed by no other town in the State, and the climate is per- fectly delightful the year 'round.
The Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians have commodious and com- fortable churches, and it is almost needless to say that they are all well at- tended. Kissimmee has a good, first-class public school, and is the only town in the county in which the school building is owned by the corporation. The streets and boulevards are broad and graded, and ample hotel accommoda- tions are provided for all who may desire to come. No other spot in Florida offers to the visitor the same number of inducements. This point is also the headquarters for the Okeechobee Drainage Company's large fleet of dredges, and their immense work is directed from this point. After your arrival at Kissimmee, you will be able to form some idea of the richness of these re- claimed lands, and see for yourself how prolifically they yield with a very small amount of labor. Lands can be purchased by people desirous of settling or erecting winter residences at very reasonable figures, but you must bear in mind that the rapidity with which this section of country is being settled is rapidly increasing the values.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.