Points Of Interest

Putnam County Library System
{ Points Of Interest }

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Articles taken from local newspapers from 1878-1940's. Some may be incomplete due to the original copy being mutilated, or articles may be some what incomplete.

Transcribed by Janice S. Mahaffey, Archivist, March 1999

15 June 1878...

There are places along the banks of the St. Johns river mineral springs of various kinds. The inhabitants plant corn, potatoes, sugar cane, vegetables and bananas which with the abundance of fish and wild game, give them a comfortable living. Hogs and cattle keep in good order all the year round and increase very fast, cattle increase thirty-three and one third percent per annum after taking out all required for beef. The climate in winter is invigorating-in summer we have cool bracing breezes fresh from the bosom of the ocean renewing to life all the while preventing fatigue; As a general thing, farmers enjoy good health especially when they take care of themselves.

Palatka is in some respects one of the busiest and most promising town in the state. We have a population of over fifteen hundred, three hotels are supported, and half a dozen churches. The Charleston and Savannah steamers make this their stopping place, while taking advantage of this fact, it is to a great extent made a distributing point for the surrounding country and even far down on the Peninsula.

April 27, 1878

UP THE OCKLAWAHA

The gallant steamer Osceola, Captain David A. Dunham, of the Hart Line of Ocklawaha Steamers, cast off her line at the wharf at Palatka, on Friday the 10th, and headed for Okeehumkee, the head waters of the noted Ocklawaha navigation. The party was a private excursion consisting of Colonel H. L. Hart, Mrs. H. L. Hart, Miss Mamie Hart, Mrs. Harriet Blanchard, Mrs. M. N. Bowers, Mrs. G. W. Pratt, Colonel Henry Petermann and G. W. Pratt. It would serve no valuable purpose to record every incident that occurred, nor the humor and wit that flashed accompanied by peals of laughter. Enough, however, occurred to make the trip of five days, thrilling, adventurous and amusing. As we entered the narrow, turning twisting Ocklawaha river, with its lining of ash, and oak, cypress and palmetto with its long rope vine, tender delicate creepers, leaning trunks, towering lofty giants of the forest, forming an arch in many places- all were delighted. The sepulchral drapery of the ghostly moss, the superb wilderness, the home of the alligators and the wild birds that scream out of the desolate night, present, scenes, and astounds that fill the mind with wonder. No where else on this continent can be found any thing like it. Those beholding the scenery of the Ocklawaha river, find in it a true typification of the wild scenes in nature which in other ages formed the basis of much of ancient mythology. Night on the Ocklawaha is by far the most interesting and exciting-we never tire- each one of the party watches the panoramic scenes as the brilliant light flashes out from the upper deck of the steamer, bringing out in bold relief every object. The inky blackness of the water, dense shades, hanging vines interlacing the tall cypress, the scream of wild birds and the roar of alligators hold every one spell bound. Midst all this wild profusion of nature, the beauties of which afford every variety, the perfection of scenery. The river is high the swamps overflowed. AS we approach a landing we find the wharf, in many places covered with water. We not many improvements- every available piece of land is cultivated. The improvements within the last four years brings to view beautiful orange groves, and other products of the country-much of the Ocklawaha will yet blossom as the rose.

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SILVER SPRINGS

So much has been written on the wonderful beauties of this celebrated spring that we deem it unnecessary to give it more than a passing notice. The run as it is called, flowing from the great fountain (Silver Springs) is about nine miles long and deep enough to float a seventy four gun ship. The bones of a mammoth was found imbedded in its waters some years ago, and these prehistoric relics may now be found scattered among the natives of that section. This spring and its transparent run attracts visitors. Thousands travel up the Ocklawaha for no other purpose than to descant ton its beauties, and they all regard it as a wonderful phenomenon in nature. Its source is a mystery. No one has ever penetrated its dark unfathomable caves. Dark, deep mysterious, it will doubtless remain forever as it has been from the beginning, a sealed mystery.

As we steam along the Silver Run, we suddenly turn up the Ocklawaha towards the upper lakes or headwaters of this noted stream. We are struck with the contrast between the upper and lower river. Here the river narrows and the dense forests grow larger, navigation is smooth and easy, and the scenery enchantingly beautiful. For seven miles we plough our way into the prairies that stretch for eighty miles to the lakes, with here and there an islet touching a point of thickly timbered land. As you wind through these savannas you note the canals made by Col. Hart in 1867 when he by his indomitable skill and energy cut his way through and landed the first steamer into Lake Griffin and Leesburg; piles were driven at different points for the purpose of damming up the floating islands that obstructed the passage of the steamer. From the entrance into the prairie water shed of the Ocklawaha you can run to any point of the compass. Wild birds now appear-birds of every color. The channel is a natural canal-the current three knots an hour-every body delighted. We sight the first great lake, (lake Griffin) and enter its charmed ____heading for.

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LEESBURG

A town of five hundred inhabitants, seven or eight stores. Leesburg is ____fully situated. On either side of the village, you can see Lakes Griffin and ____There is considerable enterprise. The Sumpter County Advance is _____.

Lakes can be found on this continent, connected one with another, so large and beautiful and circled with rolling lands of rich hammock, and pine lands of the most beautiful description. We now turn the head of our steamer, from this lake into Okeehumkee creek, and for seven miles steamed though a narrow passage to the terminus of the great route. Okeehumkee has been a place of considerable travel, but has been interrupted by low water for the last three years. Now it is to be the point of destination for the Hart line of steamers. Goods have arrived and business begins to look up at this point . It is the nearest point to the South Florida trade and will, in time do a considerable amount of business.

The RETURN

A pleasant run back with a merry and delighted party. Not content with the Ocklawaha, we turned the prow of our noble steamer up the St. Johns river to lake George, where we took in the beauty of the lakes and the cultivated homesteads on the ST. Johns. Now reader, you may have gazed on the pictures of South American Forests, and you may have thought them extravagant, but could you behold the scenery of the Ocklawaha and its wonderful waters, you would find them surpassing in interest all that you have ever seen or ever will see, of tropical scenery and especially during our April month, when all nature is clothed in her spring and summer garments.

4 May 1878

New York, April 1878

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Mr. Editor:

On my way home a plea for the birds of Florida. Where you see good fruit, good vegetables, and good grain, there you may rest assured, the birds have been doing good services, they are drawn in among the crops, by the millions of insects of various kinds that feed upon the tender shoots, filled with the fresh juices of springs. The birds feeding upon the insects when in the grub, thereby sustaining themselves, and at the same time, greatly benefiting the husband many, by protecting the trees and vegetables form the ravages of these insects, my attention was called to the above "Western observation" while traveling through the state of Florida, last winter, and noticing the rusty appearance of the oranges, and in many instances the diseased appearance of the orange and other trees, caused by the attack of insects, and I said then to a number of growers, and I repeat again, that unless the wanton and wholesale destruction of birds of all kinds is not stopped that Florida will not be known for its fine "fruit" in ten years from this time, it is only three years ago that the wheat crop of the northwest, was almost an entire failure, caused by the great grass hopper raid made upon it, in the above instance. Railroad company's became bankrupt, many farmers were ruined, and the whole land for a time made desolate, and what was the cause of all this, why simply the wholesale destruction o f the "prairie birds" that had been going on for years, these birds had been feeding every spring on the grub of the grasshoppers, and other insects, destroying millions of them, and thus keeping them down, until the birds had been trapped and shot to such an extent, that the grasshopper got the upper hand, and as sure as the years roll around, just so sure will the fruit and vegetable crops of Florida succumb to the ravages of the insect, unless a stop is put to the destruction of birds, of all kinds, for some time to come, why there are some who call themselves men (not a great way from Palatka either, who will shoot the mocking bird, the red bird, and any other bird that comes in their way, for a small pittance which they get from bird fanciers, better banish all such men from you state, then loose you crops, or birds. I was talking to an old resident of the St. Johns River last winter, and he said he could well remember the time when the area all around his habitation was vocal with the music of the birds, and the eye delighted with their brilliant plumage but____

cultivation of your state, do for the protection of those who are trying to benefit you state, do for the pleasure seeker, do for the cause of civilization, try and have the destruction of the birds stopped, either by no oral persuasion or law, a special act of the Legislature would do a general frowning down of this wholesale destruction of birds, by your citizens would do wonders. The remark was repeatedly made last winter "how few birds there are along the St. Johns" the fewer birds you have the less will be the product of your soil, and one more thing, stop, the indiscriminate shooting from the boats on the river, this ought to be done for the safety of those who patronize the river steamers. But by all means stop the killing or trapping of the beautiful birds that adorn the St. Johns River, or drive the human brutes (who wickedly kill them) from the State. Farmer

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23 January 1878

Rice Creek is getting to be a place of considerable resort. Any fair day you may meet a number of boats, down there filled with pleasure seekers, all intent on sighting a big saurian (alligator) or bagging small game. Rice Creek really is a place of interest. In some respects it is very much like the Ocklawaha river. It is a wild-looking place, its shores being dense swamps, the resort of huge alligators and other animals. The mouth of Rice Creek is four miles below the city, on the west side of the river, and it navigable for steamers nine mils up to the old English rice fields.

Palatka in 1854 was a port for briggs and schooners, and outward bound steamers. Saw mills were kept running day and night, and vessels were, busy loading with lumber for distant ports. This important enterprise might be revived, and it is possible that in the coming ten years, it will be. It would not be surprising however to witness towers of commercial strength rising up around us jeopardizing the future prosperity of Palatka. This much we have said before and we are of the same opinion still. Natural advantages are of little worth to any community where there is not the will and purpose to keep up with the demand of the age.

We are indebted to Dr. John J. Henderson of Springfield, N. J. For a copy of the Southern Sun, published in Palatka, February 3rd 1855. Dr. Henderson visited our place in '54 and has, when visiting East Florida made Palatka his home. The Sun is a six column paper published by William H. Royal. In the advertising columns, we notice L. H. Henderson's new barge, "Palatka" to run between Palatka and Silver Springs; J. O. DeVall Commission Merchant and Agent for the New York Line of Briggs, Schooners , etc.: St. Johns Hotel, Lynch & Co., Proprietors; James Burt, Agent for bank of Charleston; steamer, Carolina, Charleston, S. C., and steamers ST. Johns and Welaka, Savannah, Georgia, and Merchants Card of Messrs. Petermann. A meeting was held at that time for the purpose of making a plank road from Palatka to Micanopy, C. Gillis, Secretary. In speaking of Palatka, the editor of the Sun says: "Palatka, we believe, possesses advantages superior to almost every other town in the East, being in fact the port of delivery for a large section of the interior, a centering point for the business of the St. Johns river, and above all highly favored in point of mail facilities. In regard to health it is hardly surpassed by any village in the south, and last but not least, in our estimation, her citizens see and feel the necessity of a newspaper in their midst, and we believe will appreciate its importance and give it liberal support. But we shall see."

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Up the Ocklawaha (Cont.)

Ho For the Ocklawaha - The new schedule of Hart's daily line of Ocklawaha river steamers will be found in another column in to days paper. The time now occupied from Palatka to Silver Springs and return, thirty-six hours, out only one night. This arrangement will not only increase travel up the famous Ocklawaha, but will add much to the comfort of travelers. A large party from the Putnam House by the Osceola Wednesday morning got back Thursday evening and were loud in their praises of the new schedule. The fare on the Hart line of Ocklawaha steamers cannot be surpassed by either Palatka or Jacksonville hotels, in fact it is a subject of special remark by all travelers on this line that the culinary department is all that the most fastidious epicure could desire.

On Friday of last week a large party of New Yorkers and others accompanied by Mr. F. H. Orvis, of the Putnam House, went up the Ocklawaha on the steamer Okahumkee. Captain A. L. Rice. They visited Ocala, and breakfasted with Mr. E. J. Harris, of the Ocala House. The party consisted of G. W. Fuller, Esq., F. M. Wall and wife and Miss Josie Rieck, Mr. F. W. Maullin, Mrs. And Miss Marsh and Mr. N. Marsh, Mr. T. D. James, Mr. C. A. James, Mr. And Mrs. Newell, Mr. Orvis and a number of others. They speak in the highest terms of Capt. Rice, his steamer, and of the guitar serenade of "steward" Monthe who is so justly celebrated for his musical taste and the fine desserts served on the Ocklawaha boats. At Ocala Mr. Harris, and others, made it pleasant for the party, and the ladies of Ocala were especially kind in presenting beautiful flowers to their Northern sisters. The breakfast at the Ocala House was as good as can be had in the state. The Ocala House is a well kept hotel and "don't you forget it" By the way, whey don't Ocala people bestir themselves and build a tramway from Silver Springs to Ocala? It would add, to the importance of the place and induce travel in that direction. Brother Harris, of the Ocala Banner, make a note of this.

January 9, 1878

Welaka is twenty five miles above Palatka on the east side of the river. In 1852 a village flourished there with goodly prospects of a growing commerce. But the place went down, and a few years after there was nothing left to mark the site of that beautiful town but the decaying wharf. There is a prospect now that the place will be revived under the untiring industry of Mr. Broad, merchant of that place. Several new buildings have an up and the place looks inviting, and business is progressing. Welaka is situated on a high commanding bluff, in fact this bluff extends for several miles, and will draw attention of settlers. The Welaka Bluff will attract the attention of the public and ere long will become thickly settled. We wish Welaka success.

A Visit to San Mateo some two weeks since afforded a better opportunity to notice the improvements than heretofore. We were agreeably surprised. For instead of seeing a house here and there, we traveled over an area of six miles, all under skillful improvement, with neat cottages and cultivated garden fronts, orange groves and in fact, evidences of prosperity, and comfort, such as you will seldom see in a newly settled country like this. They have good schools, a respectable church building, and a highly respectable class of men and women. Here in this delightful retreat you will find toleration without religious bigotry or political proscription. If we remember rightly the Hon. P. P. Bishop, E. R. Chadwick and General Robinson, made the first settlement. Mr. Bishop had been prominent as a successful worker, in building up San Mateo. The settlement, or city in the woods, bids fair to become a community of enlarged importance it is no longer an experiment. It is a success. Not content with their beautiful table land; high above the river, they have extended a wide avenue from the river, where Mr. Bean has erected the largest orange packing house in the country, with a munificent wharf and other buildings. At this point two of the largest sea steamers, Dictator and City Point, arrive weekly to convey fruit and other produce to Savannah and Charleston en route to New York. We heard a lady remark that Palatka and San Mateo are one. We liked the settlement. In spirit, in sentiment, and in progress, we are on. Whatever benefits one benefits..........

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Tidbits

The water hyacinths that were brought here from the World Exposition in New Orleans in 1884, were so dense that planks were used to support the weight while a man walked on the planks from the dock to the schooners.

High water always filled the river with the plants, floating them in and out of swamps to the river channel and filling the stream from bank to bank, almost stopping navigation.

Water hyacinths cost the government millions of dollars in seeking ways of ridding the Florida river of the growth. Attempts to clear the river with chemicals proved unsatisfactory when it was found that only the tops of the plants were destroyed, and their roots flourished.

It was not unusual for smaller pleasure crafts to run into the hyacinths to such an extent that they were forced to wait several hours for the channel to open.

When Mrs. Fuller brought the hyacinth bulb, little did she realize that she had introduced one of the greatest nuisances the state has ever experienced, not only choking the river to navigation but providing the breeding place for blind mosquitoes, that descend on the waterfront cities. At times these tiny pests have covered the street to such an extent that it was necessary to shovel them into wagons to rid the area of their stench.

The St. Johns, was first named by Timucuans WELAKA, or YALACCO meaning "Chain of Lakes", when approximately 10,000 Timucuas lived in the St. Johns River Valley. After the discover in May of 1562, by Jean Ribault, it was renamed "la rive de mai", or River of May, after the month that it was discovered, and a French colony was established.

When the Spanish drove the French from the valley, they renamed it the San Mateo, then changed it to the St. Juan, after the Franciscan mission of San Juan del Puerto, the first map to display then name of St. Johns was the Mapa de la isla de la Florida 1680-1700. RIO de SAN MATEO was its fourth name. The river maintained this name from circa 1564 to circa 1750, when it began to lose its hold. The Fort had burned and the fortifications were abandoned. Spanish custom usually designated parts of a river being named after a fort or mission.

The uniqueness of the St. Johns lies in the course it take though eight lakes and it its northward flow for nearly three hundred mile. The source begins slightly north of Lake Okeechobee.

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The main tributary of the St. Johns, the Ocklawaha, parallels the river for fifty miles before turning eastward and joining the St. Johns near Welaka.

At Palatka, it makes an elbow turn pushing its banks a full mile apart, after passing Palatka, the river ranges in width from one mile to more than three miles wide.

In 1765, William & John Bartram visited the St. Johns for the first time. Their account on the scenery, wildlife, and Indian villages first introduced the river into literature in Bartram's Travels, printed in 1769, he describes Palatka as an Indian settlement of eight to ten dwellings, and the agrarian life that they lived. There was several hundred acres planted in corn, beans, squash, tobacco, melons, and other fruits and vegetables. A large orange grove was located at the upper end of the village near the banks of the river.

One of the first established colonies on the St. Johns was a grant that Lord Denys Rolles began with the 20,000 acres allowed to him by Parliament. He was supposed to grow cotton, sugar and indigo, and export it back to England, and then he could receive additional indentured servants to help with the hard task of clearing out the new Florida thickets. Rolles brought his laborers here in 1764, and named his ideal society "Charlotta" after Queen Charlotte of England.

During the British period, occupation of the Florida frontier brought sharp changes in regulations governing Blacks. They were now required to have written permission from their owners if they left after sundown.

The ideal society did not work, the indentured servants proved unreliable, and unwilling to do hard manual labor required to make his plantation a success, soon, he exchanged his colonists with slave labor, and began producing orange juice for export, as well as turpentine, and raised the other items that were necessary for him to comply for his grant.

Rolle finally abandoned his colony in 1783, and left Florida when it was returned to the Spanish crown, and went to the Bahamas, taking his entire operation with him.

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When William Bartram returned in 1774, he did not find much of the plantation at its original site. Many of the workers had fled to St. Augustine where they could live in a more civilized life style than what the wilderness had provided for them. Bartram also talked of the trading posts that were established on the river. The Seminoles had lived in Florida less than fifty years, with the elimination of the many other tribes through raids between Georgia & Florida, settlers in the mid 1700's. Spaulding's Lower Store, was on the west bank of Lake George, one of five posts that Spaulding & Kelfall owned. Bartram met many of the "chiefs" at the store, trading their wares for spirits, and gun powder. Other accounts have it as being near present day Brown's Landing area.

The British firm of Panton, Leslie & Company had already established most of these trading posts, that Spaulding bought out with the return to Spanish rule. Panton, Leslie & Company had begun growing rice in the area we know as RICE CREEK, during the British period.

In 1821 Spain sold Florida to the United States, for 5 million dollars. During the territorial period, large plantations were built along the St. Johns, although Florida had the two original counties, Escambia in the West Florida area, & St. Johns in East Florida, with St. Augustine, the capitol. A few of the local plantation were: DR. RHYDON G. MAYS, ARCHIBALD COLE, & E. C. SIMPKINS, in present day ORANGE MILLS a JOHN VAUGHT near Putnam/St. Johns County Line; GEORGE OLIVER PLANTATION, & MARCUS de LAFAYETTE BOOTH'S, plantation, present day CRESCENT CITY; WINSTON STEPHENS'S "ROSE COTTAGE", WELAKA ZEPHANIAH KINGSLEY, on both sides of St. Johns and as far south as DRAYTON ISLAND, in Lake George. He developed a "slave kingdom", running a lucrative slave trade with other Southern States. "HOPE HILL" established on the St. Johns, headed by Moses Levy. Levy settled the colony for Israelites, raising sugar cane on 50,000 acres of land that cost him around $1.00 per acre.

The need to ship cotton and other products from plantations west of the lower St. Johns led to steamer traffic beginning around 1835 with the FLORIDA, establishing a river route from Savannah to the St. Johns. Soon after, the Seminole Wars broke out, and forced the establishment of government forts along the river, to protect river settlements.

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From 1820 to 1836, Palatka was a trading post and head of deep water navigation, it was also commissioned a port of entry in the 1850's to 1870's. After the U. S. Government built Fort Shannon in 1836, long boats were used to transport men and supplies to the interior.

After the First Seminole war, travel ads appeared in Northern papers inviting tourist and settlers to come to the exciting new Florida Territory, earlier geography books depicted Florida as a land of "noxious insects and disgusting reptiles".

James J. Audubon had traveled the river, and called it a "dingy looking river." He referred to the valley as a district where "all that is not mud, mud, mud, is sand, sand, sand, sand; where the fruit is so sour that it is not eatable; and where in place of singing birds and golden fishes, you have...alligators, snakes, and scorpions." He was also disappointed in the river's bird life.

One of the more notable visitors to Florida before the civil war was Lady Amelia Murray, a maid of honor to Queen Victoria, who first visited Florida in February 1855. She rode the steamer CAROLINA from Picolata to Pilakta, where she boarded a mail carriage for the 70 mile journey to Silver Springs.

When Florida voted to secede from the Union, the state was described in the New York Herald, as "the smallest tadpole in the dirty pool of secession."

East Floridians organized a small fleet of schooners to break through the Federal blockade of the St. Johns River. Cotton from large plantations west of the St. Johns were ferried across the river at Palatka and Volusia to nearby ports.

Steamers carried cotton from the Ocklawaha, to the St. Johns to Lake Harney. Later some of the steamers were added to the blockade running trade. After the cargo was unloaded at Mosquito Inlet, the supplies were hauled in wagons to the St. Johns River. From the St. Johns, the steamers hauled the contraband up the winding Ocklawaha River to Fort Brooks. From Ft. Brooks, the arms and ammunition went by wagon to Waldo, and from there to Georgia and other parts of the Confederacy. Many of the blockade runners were capture or sunk. The more famous was the Yacht. AMERICA; renamed the Camilla, and then the Memphis, it was scuttled in Dunn's Creek, to avoid being captured by the Federals, however, the mast protruded above the water, and it was later raised and recommissioned as a Federal boat.

In 1878, the mouth of the river was dredged in order to permit the entrance of large ocean going vessels.

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Before 1850, river transportation consisted mostly of sailboats, barges. Brigs and schooners brought supplies from the north, returning with raw materials.

Colonel Hubbard L. Hart, came to Palatka around 1854 and at first he opened a stage coach line to Tampa, Ferry boats operated between Palatka and Picolata, later extending their route to West Tocoi. In 1859 Hart started his Ocklawaha River Line of steamboats, with a fleet of 5 steamers. During the war, Hart hid his steamers at Silver Springs to avoid their capture by the Federal gunboats. He turned over the James Burt and the Silver Springs to the Confederate forces to use as blockade runners. The Federal gunboats sank the James Burt, but never captured the Silver Springs.

At the end of the war, settlers returned to Florida, developing towns along the St. Johns. By 1870 several steamers plied the river between Jacksonville and Sanford.

Above the town of Palatka, the river crooks suddenly, forming a bend which is dignified with the expressive if not euphonious name of "DEVIL'S ELBOW," and then it narrows, and winds at times running in and out of lakes, the use of "side-wheelers" crafts, with separate engines, enables the vessels , by using one wheel steadily moving forward, while reversing the other, to pivot around the many curves

RIVER COMMUNITIES CIRCA 1885
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NORTH OF PALATKA

BOSTWICK origin of name unknown, first settled in 1882. Basically shipped fruits and vegetables. By 1880's a log school had been erected, it later became a saw mill area, as mills sprang up and timber work and wood was needed for fuel on the locomotives and railroad ties were need for expansion. By 1886, the population was 75.

BRIDGEPORT on the west bank of St. Johns opposite Federal Point, name was given circa 1886, originally settled by captain Henry Henderson, who had obtained a land patent in September 13, 1845, and named "HENDERSON'S POINT" originally it was used as a liveoak timber and logging operation. The name changed in 1855 when a Mr. King renamed it "MAGNOLIA POINT" . Again it was renamed in 1857 to "PALMETTO BLUFF" that reflected the natural surroundings. In 1883, Mitchell Rentz of Bridgeport, Connecticut purchased the property and changed. It was then platted and lots sold of different sizes. In 1886-87, it had a hotel, planing mill, and box factory.

BUENA VISTA Mentioned during the Spanish eras, as far back as 1802, the area was known as La Casa Fuerte de Buena Vista, and was built on the east side of the river, it was staffed by the Spanish and free Negro militia. In July of that year, Governor White, gave 2,000 acres north of the block house and towards Deep River, to Pedro Cocifacio, on condition that no house shall be built within 4,500 feet of the Fort.

In 1817, Govan, was granted a Spanish grant of New Buena Vista, (East Palatka)

In 1834, Lieutenant Francis L. Dancy, U. S. Army bought 40 acres of the Juan Huertas grant, just south of Ft. Buena Vista, and named his plantation Buena Vista. During the 1880's it was an established Railroad Station for the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Rail Road.

CLAYTON population in 1895 of 200 with a school, post office some residents here were John B. Hazel, J. I. McCallum.

DESOTO not a post office, it was on the North bank of the St. Johns about a mile from Teasdale, and five miles by water from Palatka. Named for Hernando de Soto, Spanish explorer. Basically a orange growing and truck farming community.

FEDERAL POINT located on the east bank it connected with steamers daily. It was 15 mils north of Palatka, and 60 south of Jacksonville. According to Webb's Directory 1886 the first settler in ante-bellum days was W. O. McIntyre, whose was a Ferris, inherited it from her parents. It was located in the northern portion of the Cocifacio Spanish grant, and passed to Zephaniah Kingsley. At his death, his wife, Anna, and African Princess, deeded it to the Ferrises, James Madison, John F. Tenney , and J. C. Folsom, (1868) and Cornelius Dupont, by 1886-87, there were about 200 people that lived here. It had two public school, one white and the other black, oranges and truck farming were the main shipments. Deep Creek is a tributary of the St. Johns. Most of the early settlers were from the North. According to accounts later, it was determined that during the Territorial years of Florida, that the name was marked on some of the military maps as FEDERAL POINT. Later this area gained notoriety when E. H. Hart and his son moved to the area, where they developed varieties of oranges, palms and other tropical plants.

OAK VILLA settled on the in 1879 about 10 miles northeast of Palatka. In 1886, approximately 50 people lived there. Named changed to Fairview in 1898.

ORANGE MILLS also known as BUENA VISTA, in 1886-87 population was around 30. Situated on the East bank. During the War Between the States, the river community was destroyed by the Federal gunboats. Many of the early plantations were located here, as well as a saw mill, and other valuable commodities. Several military officers were in the area, F. L. Dancy, and his two sons, serving in the Confederate Army, Robert Cole, on the staff of General Robert E. Lee. All the plantations were leveled. In 1870, while touring much of the south, General Robert E. Lee, visited Robert Coles' orange grove, where he tasted his first grapefruit.

PALATKA originally spelled PILATKA, it was shorten from the original name given by Timucucas and meant cow ford. Dates of founding vary from 1819, 1820 with the establishment of James Marver's Trading Post. In 1816, Bernardo Segui received a royal land grant of 1,200 acres, with a trading post on the west side, later known as New Buena Vista, and later Gray's Landing. Josiah Gray had a trading post near the foot of present day St. Johns Avenue. Segui sold the land to George Fleming for $1,200. Fleming an Irishman serving as a captain in the Spanish army was the son-in-law of Francis Fatio.

Fleming sold the land grant to Belton A. Copp, for 1 cent. Copp sold the tract to Dr. Nehemiah Brush in 1827.

By 1821 Palatka was settled. Marver, Woodruff and Hines owned property on the river front that they bought from different Spanish land grant, and established a trading post. Dr. Brush's nephews, William & Thomas continued to trade, until the outbreak of the First Seminole War, in 1835, when the town was burn.

Around 1838, the U. S. Government established Ft. Shannon under the command of General William Worth, later Zachary Taylor, Winfield Scott, Lt. William T. Sherman, General Gaines, and many other notable military leaders occupied the area. There were in addition to the officers' quarters, a large hospital, a military stable with quarters for 400 horses, and eight block houses. On the top of one of these blockhouses was a lookout tower of 80 feet, which gave an extensive view of the surrounding area. The houses were located mostly on what was known as Water Street and the boards were sawed at Black Creek, now Clay County. In 1855, a fire destroyed five of the houses.

Palatka's population in 1886 was around 3,000. It was credited with having some of the finest hotels in the state, and could accommodate over 3,000 guests. Palatka was named the "GEM CITY" OF THE ST. JOHNS. By General Finley, a candidate for governor.

A major fire destroyed most of the downtown area on November 7, 1884, at the beginning of the tourist season. This sent many tourists to other winter destinations.

Palatka had three distinct residential areas, "THE HAMMOCK," "REID'S GARDEN," AND "NEWTOWN." The Hammock was located south of the business district from the river to Laurel. Reid's Garden was the north area, from present day third to the Bronson House. Newtown, was the community of freed blacks that developed after the War Between the States, in the area west of the business district, about half of the black population resided here.

PENN First settled in 1868 by G. C. A. Cowgill, it was eight miles north of Palatka. In 1886-87 the population was 19. It was a steamboat landing and post office area. Honorable C. A. Cowgill had an orange grove of 1000 trees during this period.

PRESIDENT'S CITY Original name for East Palatka, until 1892. Unknown origin of name.

RICE CREEK originally an English Land Grant to Panton Leslie, & Company. Originally cleared 125 acres of land and diked between 1764-1774 to cultivate rice and indigo. It was considered from the headwaters of Rice Creek to the Ocklawaha as the great bear region of Putnam County, It was also used by small steamers to show the tourist the Florida wilds, where they could see huge alligators, and other animals. Navigable for the first 9 miles.

SAUBLE First settled in 1881. It was situated on the west bank of the river 3 1/2 miles north of Palatka, a landing the St. Johns and on the line of the Jacksonville-Tampa-&-Key West Railway. Originally there was a population of 10 at the founding by 1884, the community had progressed to 60 settlers. It was named in honor of Eli Sauble, postmaster and station agent. Lands in the 1880's sold for $30 for unimproved and $100 for improved acreage. A public school was also listed. Fare to Palatka by rail cost 20 cents, to Jacksonville, $1.80 and it would take you two hours.

Captain Rossignol is credited with settling this community. Name changed to PECAN in 1909.

TEASDALE located between Bridgeport & Bostwick. Lumber and saw mill community. Owned at one time by Henry R. Teasdale, a former mayor of Palatka and probably named for him.

VERDIERE POINT a center of Fruit growing, post office was established in 1879, in 1884, the name was changed to OAK VILLA, in 1898 it became known as FAIRVIEW.

SOUTH OF PALATKA

BUFFALO BLUFF 13 miles south of Palatka, basically shipped oranges and vegetables. Origin of name is presently unknown. A post office was established here in 1869 and discontinued in 1908.

DRAYTON ISLAND an island of about 1870 acres, and three and half miles wide, at the entrance of Lake George it is about 38 miles south of Palatka. Known during Bartram's time as the "Indian's Sacred Hunting Ground", the location with access to Mt. Royal made it an integral part of their ceremonies. Named for Lord William Drayton, Chief Justice of East Florida, during the English period, it was also named Isle of Edelano. Around 1811, the slave trader, Zephaniah Kingsley, received 1,500 acres of the Spanish Land grant by right of sale. He set out some naval oranges in addition to century old oranges that froze in 1835. Sometime after 1811, he sold it to Dr. Calhoun, son of the South Carolina statesman, John Caldwell Calhoun. Calhoun had timbers and other parts of the house cut, framed and fitted in Charleston, and sent by schooner and assembled on the Island.

In 1875, R. W. Towle settled the island and platted the property. It had about 50 people that lived on the island at this time. The post office was 1/4 mile from the steamboat landing, where boats connected on a daily basis. Fare to Palatka was $1.50 and to Jacksonville $4.00

By 1886 the population had increased to 75, improved lands sold from $500 to $1000 per acre, and unimproved land for $100 per acre.

FORT GATES established during the British period between 1763-1783. Post office established in 1856. In 1835, it was reestablished as a military post, serving as a base for supplies during the First Seminole War. Prior to the War Between the States, it became a permanent settlement. During the war, it had a confederate hospital and a good strategic lookout point. The large home "THE PALMETTOS" was built in 1878 by Margaret & S. U. Hammond. Later came the Henry Plant Home, and the Chandler House, both railroad magnates.

FRUITLAND 30 miles south of Palatka. It was settled in 1856 by John R. Saunders and named by a Mr. L. Jacobs, who later moved to Jacksonville, when he conducted a mercantile business here in 1878 some places list it as 1858. In 1845 two brothers, John H. & S. S. Green settled and homestead in this area. Population in 1886 was estimated at 40. Mails were delivered to approximately 300 people by the Baya-DuBary Steamboat line. By 1889 the population had increased to 100 people property sold between $10 to $30 per acre.

FRUITLAND PENINSULA southernmost portion of Putnam County 125 miles south of the mouth of the St. Johns, bounded by Lake Crescent & Deep River. The space is about 20 miles in length and 32 miles in width. Over 1/2 of the entire wild orange acreage in the state was located here in 1886. Most of the wild oranges were being cultivated where more profits for the owner can be seen.

HUDNAL situated on the east side of the river in 1889 there was a population of 75 people. Basically it was an orange and vegetable growing community. Named in honor of the Hudnal land grant.

GEORGETOWN a small settlement on the east bank of Lake George, in 1886 there were approximately 36 orange groves, with almost 10,000 trees. The land was settled on an old Spanish Land grant, and other property came from the United States and the State of Florida.

The community was settled by Dan Causey and John Hires around 1857, on the Hudnal and Gardner Grants. They transplanted trees from wild groves and budded them with sweet to begin their groves.

LAKE GEORGE named for King George, it was on a point of land between the lake and its northern outlet. It was on the direct route of the St. Johns River Steamers. It was two miles south of Georgetown and 36 miles from Palatka. In 1886 the population was 75. Commercial fishermen where using this area in the 1880's for marketing locally and in Jacksonville and northern markets. The Lake was 18 miles long and 12 miles wide, was well stocked with fish and native fowl.

MT. ROYAL in 1768, the Lord of Egmont was granted land at Mt. Royal. He and his investors planned to divide the land and expense as they began to settle it. Seven months after the initial investment he had lost �4,600 with nothing in return. Bartram visited the area in 1768 and participated in the Indian's ceremonies, along THE GRAND AVENUE. The largest ceremonial Indian Mound in the State of Florida.

Located on the east side, on a bluff overlooking Lake George, it is 34 miles south of Palatka. The name was from the large Indian mound. A mile back of the settlement is a famous sulphur spring, many invalids vist the spring to drink its healing waters (BEECHER SPRINGS). The village in 1886 had 200 inhabitants engaged in the orange and vegetable culture.

In 1892 Clarence B. Moore, of Philadelphia, a self proclaimed archeologist, toured many of the Indian sand mounds, leveling them as he went. However, he was so impressed with Mt. Royal, that after he depleted all of the artifacts, he had his workers place the mound back. The artifacts were taken to Philadelphia and placed in the museum there, they have since been sold to any other museum that is interested.

By 1886, the population of this community was 200, and it is stated that it was first settled in 1868.

NASHUA originally settled in 1874 between Dunn's Lake and Lake Broward. Named in honor of Nashua, New Hampshire, the original six families who hailed from the latter. The post office was established in 1876 and discontinued in 1919. By 1883, the population was estimated at 100 inhabitants. It took you 1 1/2 hour to ride by steamer from Palatka to this point.

ROLLESTON, RAWLSTON, CHARLOTTA, CHARLOTIA, east bank of the St. Johns settled by Lord Denys Rolles, of Devonshire, England. He arrived in Florida in 1764 with a royal patent to establish an ideal society in the new colony of Florida. After traveling on the St. Johns he found Mt. Pleasant, and stayed there for about six months. He then ventured further up the river to a place that better pleased him and named it "Mount Royal".

He finally settled at Rollestown, which was the first major white settlement along the St. Johns. His grant of 20,000 acres allowed him to chose where he wished to establish his "ideal society". If a township was settled within a 2 year period additional acreage of 100,000 would be allowed.

The settlement consisted of about 200 indentured servants, and the Florida wilderness was a little too much for these newcomers to handle.

Rolles left and moved his operation to the Bahamas in 1783.

The original grant ran from the area known as RiverCrest down to San Mateo.

NORWALK settled in 1876 by people from Maine and New York. In 1886 there were about 250 people that received mail in that district and a population of about 500. It was located on the west side of the river. It was located 25 mils south of Palatka. The "town" was incorporated in 1877(?).

SAN MATEO on the east bank of the river, 5 miles south of Palatka, this settlement started around 1866 with the arrival of Edwin P. Hiser, Putnam P. Bishop, and William Morrow (who later moved to Crescent City). They began setting out, orange trees. By 1873, organizations had been incorporated as the community began to grow with many northern winter residents. By 1886 the population was 300. The names' origin varies, it is thought that George W. Lyle, who came in 1868 to Florida, and originally bought property in Welaka, which he soon sold. He then went to San Mateo and bought sixty or more acres of land. Along with his brother, Captain Henry R. Lyle, and another pioneer, E. R. Chadwick, chose the name of San Mateo for the settlement; and it is due to their persistence that we have that name instead of "Mt. Malaria" or "Mt. Salubria," names chosen by other citizens. It may have been named for his former home at San Mateo, California. Other suggestions have been that it was named in honor of the old former Spanish fort, and river.

SATSUMA located on the east bank, 12 miles south of Palatka in the Fruitland Peninsula. The village settled in 1882 by Mr. Whitney, Mr. Gold and Mr. Hodges, that had purchased the old Hernandez Spanish Land Grant of 10,000 acres, platted the property and offered it for settlement.

Originally known as SATSUMA HIGHTS, it was named in honor of the Japanese citrus that was transported here for cultivation. In 1884, a post office was established here.

SYRACUSE 25 miles south of Palatka it was named for Syracuse, New York where the original settlers hailed from. It was on the west side of the river, opposite Georgetown. Property sold for $5.00 for unimproved to $20.00 for improved property. It was 3 miles southwest of Norwalk Landing, with daily steamer services. It was settled in 1876 by E. R. Burnham and Samuel S. Pearce. The population in 1886 was 40. It was not far from Lake Kerr which was five miles long and three miles wide. "Every settler has an orange grove".

WELAKA originally known as MOUNT TUCKER selected by Dr. William Stork, (the patron of the Bartrams), for John Tucker. He cleared and planted sixty acres in 1768. It was first settled in 1853 by Colonel James Bryant, a real estate developer originally from Massachusetts, but moved to Jacksonville along with his brother bought the Miguel Crosby's land grant. In 1849, Welaka was proposed to be the new county seat of HILAKA COUNTY. After the failure of this proposal, Putnam County was created and the county seat of Palatka was selected. In 1859 the population was 200. The town was completed demolished by the Federals during War Between the States. In 1870 the population had dwindled to 20. In 1886 the population was back to 200.

Opposite the mouth of Ocklawaha, built on a bluff one mile in length on high rolling pine land, it is 25 miles south of Palatka.

WESTONIA a small settlement on Deep River Creek, a half mile from the St. Johns River. It was settled around 1869 by Mr. William Wells. It was about 8 miles south of Palatka.