DE FUNIAK SPRINGS and Walton County FLORIDA Pamphlet Collection Duke University Library pai^hla CoUcctioB Duke LibfSfjr DE FUNIAK SPRINGS and W^alton County Florida Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 In the compilation of this work the writer has endeavored to present to the public a booklet that will answer concisely, accurately and prac- tically the many questions and inquiries regard- ing this part of Florida, and in particular the city of DeFuniak Springs and Walton County, by giving information of pertinent interest to the discerning minds of homeseeker, tourist, winter visitor, invalid or capitalist; in fact, all those interested in a semi-tropical country and city; given without discoloration and containing no misleading statements, but merely a truthful cataloging of facts as they exist. An investiga- tion along this line is gladly courted, and if those who have never seen this incomparable country will have been given any enlightenment that results in particular interest in Walton County and DeFuniak Springs, then this little work will have accomplished what will ever prove its own reward. Compiled hy Chas. F. Turner, DeFuniak Springs, Fla. Examined and approved hy The Board of County Commissioners, The City Council, The Board of Trade, DeFuniak Springs, Walton County, Florida. MAP OF WALTON COUNTY Average elevation over 200 feet, with 300 feet at DeFuniak Springs, and also with its entire southern boundary on the Gulf of Mexico, and has the most beauti- ful lakes, rivers, bays and bayous. Walton County occupies that section of West Florida which lies between the Alabama State boundary on the north and the Gulf of Mexico on the south, a portion of which forms Choctaw- hatchee Bay with its several extremely pictur- esque and beautiful bayous. The western boun- dary is Santa Rosa County and the Yellow River, while on the east is Holmes County, with the interesting and beautiful Choctawhatchee River, which is navigable for smaller craft for almost its entire length. The general topography of the county shows a high ridge running through practically the geographical center east and west, and this ridge, which is traversed by the railroad, is shown by the United States survey to be the highest point in Florida. DeFuniak Springs, the county seat, enjoys the distinction of being the highest city in the whole state. For natural scenic beauty this land of the bayous and lakes among the hills and highlands is unrivaled, and one needs to be both painter and poet to give an adequate description of this part of Florida. Nature was surely in one of her happiest moods when she builded here. She showered her beauties with a lavish hand and did her best to beautify both land and water. 4 5 •A MAGIC CIRCLE— ONE MILE IN CIRCUMFERENCE A BUSINESS BLOCK, DE FUNIAK SPRINGS As the story goes, it was a bright morning in May, 1881 , when a raUway^ surveying party came to a tired halt ^ round lake in the heart of the virgin forest. The entrancing beauty of the spot at once impressed itself upon all who beheld it. Here in the depths of the piney woods, at the southern spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as they come sweeping down from the Virginias and Carolinas in a succession of lowering swells, Nafui’e rested and smiled. % After days of weafied tramping through semi- tropical forests, the " late W. D. Chipley, who was head of the party, as he gazed up at the dark, graceful pines waving high above his head, and looked into the^’erystal waters of the lake, flashing back the deep azure of the vaulted heavens, as they lapped the white sands at his feet, exclaimed, “H^e a town shall be built !” — and little wonder. It was a veritable garden of the gods ! A short time later arrangements were made for the location of a station for the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad. This was DeFuniak’s first inspiration. DeFuniak Springs has been appropriately styled “The City Beautiful,” for there is no other place in the world where Nature has been so prodigal with her gifts, and man so careful to preserve those natural advantages. 6 ON THE CIRCLE. DE FUNIAK SPRINGS The crystal lake in the heart of the town^ surrounded by the wooded slope of Chautauqua Park and happy in the close companionship of grotesque oak and stately pine, reflects in its clear surface many a beautiful home which crowns the crest above. From her silver waters at the close of one of those typical DeFuniak days, which rival Italian climes in their clear perfection, a circling panoramic view of weirdly haunting beauty is spread before the admiring eye. The fading landscape is ablaze with lights — red, purple and gold — hurled with startling confusion upon the great blue canvas of the sky, while the vanquished monarch of the day darts his Parthian arrows at the gathering clouds and makes the calm waters of the lake glow with a burning splendor. Then the lingering shadows lengthen and stately pines and picturesque foliage are mir- rored in the clear water by the white sandy shore. The impressive voices of the tranquil night are calling from out the silent gloom. Then one by one the flickering lights appear in the houses about the magic circle, springing into life and existence like dancing fireflies, until each mansion seems a sparkling jewel, the whole forming a resplendent necklace with the clustered lights of the great Hotel Walton lying like a huge pendant and the whole reflected with poetic reality in the circle of the beautiful lake, as if the fairy spirit who holds charmed sway over this enchanted spot would rise from out the placid waters and wear the reflected jewels upon her immortal bosom. 7 AUDITORIUM OF FLORIDA CHAUTAUQUA Seating capacity, near 4000 Then does the striking similarity of the scene^ witli its picturesque setting, still waters, soft Italian sky, balmy air and reflected lights, re- call another far-away dream beneath another Southern sky and you realize that you are in- deed in “A Modern Venice.” The great Winter Chautauqua of the entire Southland is located in this beautiful city. In fact, it would not be out of place to say that the beautiful little city of DeFuniak is located in the Chautauqua, for the spirit of this great institution, with its abiding influence for com- munity welfare and moral uplift, has been the one molding force of her intelligent citizenship. The great natural beauty of the lake, a large spring, one mile in circumference, about which tlie city is built, appealed to the founders as tlie site for the great winter assembly of our land, and the large amphitheater by the lake- side and the commodious Hotel Walton over- looking Chautauqua Park were the first build- ings erected. With this Chautauqua movement sprang up cottages, banks and business firms, winter homes and prosperous farms, until the growing importance of the locality caused it to be named the county seat, and the natural leader of Walton County. 8 FRONT VIEW OF AUDITORIUM The first session of the Florida Chautauqua was held here in January^ 1885, and since that year an annual assembly has been held in the Auditorium. The first Chautauqua was of three weeks’ duration. During that time it was esti- mated that one thousand visitors came to DeFuniak Springs. The last session, or the Thirtieth Annual Chautauqua, held in February, March and April of 191 4, was of six weeks’ duration, and during tliose weeks ten thousand visitors came to this beautiful city, attracted by the Chautauqua and its superb program. This spells growth, enter- prise and progress. During these past thirty years the Chautauqua has been a great success, and therefore DeFuniak could not help being also a growing city. As a successful Pensacola merchant tersely put it: “The Florida Chau- tauqua has always been a signboard, with its finger ever pointed toward DeFuniak.” In point of time this institution is the third oldest in the United States. The Chautauqua at Lake Chautauqua was founded in 1874. Ten years later, in the summer of 1884, the Florida Chautauqua was inaugurated, with the hearty co- operation of Bishop John H. Vincent, Hon. Lewis Miller and others interested in the orig- inal movement, and of the many daughters of the great Mother Chautauqua it is one of the few that are still living. The success of this great institution, however, has been due entirely to the zeal and untiring efforts of its late presi- dent, the Hon. Wallace Bruce, who devoted years of his life to the maintaining and carrying on of this venture. 9 CHAUTAUQUA AUDITORIUM AND LAKE DE FUNIAK With him the Florida Chautauqua was truly a work of love. It is to him that DeFuniak owes the splendid Auditorium, erected at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars, with a seating capacity of thirty-six hundred people and a stage and equipment which will rival any Chau- tauqua Auditorium in the land. The influence of this institution has gone far and wide, molding the character of the people not only of West Florida but also of adjoining states. The list of great men who have ap- peared upon the platform include most of those who have been foremost in influencing the thoughts of our people, and embrace the great men of the religious movements, as well as those prominent in the political arena, from Talmage and Sam Jones of the past decades to Bryan and Hobson of the present Chautauqua move- ment. Pages and pages of eulogistic praise could be written on the climate of this part of Florida. Temperature changes are confined usually to but a few degrees at a time, and at no time does it ever get so hot or so cold as to be intolerable. Such a thing as heat prostration is absolutely unknown, as the extremes are not so common here and it is easy to become accustomed to our uniformly warm days. In contrast to north- ern countries our nights are always cool. At no time do we ever experience nights too warm for comfort. 10 HOTEL WALTON, DE FUNIAK SPRINGS A little comparison with temperatures will show figures that may seem unreasonable to those who do not know, but a little investigation will verify the truth of these following figures. The average temperature ranges in winter from 58 to 69 degrees above zero, while in summer it is between 72 and 97, with an occasional jump to the hundred mark, but not often. The nights are cool in summer and pleasant in winter. A man can work here in his shirt sleeves on an average of about twenty-five days out of every month. Nature has done more for this God-favored spot, for the health and happiness of man, than man could by himself with all the combined moneys of the world. As a health resort, DeFuniak Springs has no equal in the South. It has the advantage over the southern part of the State in having shorter summers. Those who go to the southern part of the State for health lose what they have gained in the winter in going through the long, drastic summers, reducing their vitality and energies from the continued and excessive heat. DeFuniak Springs has the great advantage of being located just the right distance from the sea or salt water, and 300 feet above sea level. Here we have the sea breeze, without the mois- ture, which in itself is a great health restorer. Nowhere else in the world is there a more ideal atmosphere, pure and refreshing at all times. 11 PINEY WOODS NEAR DE FUNIAK. SPRINGS Next to climate and pure air is pure water, in which we excel in having an abundance, of almost absolute purity. Even the lakes, creeks and branches are real springs of the purest soft water. We have no stagnant ponds, large swamps or marshes, hence we are practically free from malaria and mosquitoes. The State Chemist gives this analysis of our city water supply; Total solids per 100,000 parts, three parts, containing calcium sulphate. No organic impurities; an exceedingly pure water. Nowhere do invalids, and especially children, who suffer from the many diseases they are heir to, recover so rapidly as they do in this particu- lar section. Those coming here suffering from nervous prostration, overwork, or from any nervous breakdown almost immediately feel the improvement and make a rapid recovery. The beautiful forests of tall and stately pines delight the eye. The health-laden breezes from the Gulf of Mexico calm the tired mind and cool the fevered brow. The pure waters are the equal of any German or American spring in absolutely pure water, which gives tone and strength to the body. Here on the very top of Florida is the great Panacea ! 12 YOUNG MEN’S DORMITORY, PALMER COLLEGE OUR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. A very natural question, which will no doubt enter your minds now, is, “What educational facilities have you to offer in this great land of promise.^” We have two public schools, a private kinder- garten, a mammoth county High School, an ex- clusive college and lastly, but not least, an Industrial and Agricultural School — all these in the county seat, DeFuniak Springs. For seventeen years the State of Florida maintained a Normal College at DeFuniak Springs, but under a reorganization of the State colleges a few years ago this institution was absorbed by the college at Tallahassee, the State capital, and by the other State school at Gaines- ville, Florida, and the splendid property was offered for sale by the State. Our public-spirited citizens, believing that we still needed this educational institution which had for so long rendered such valuable service, bought the property with a view of establishing, as was finally the case, a college under their own exclusive and personal control. The insti- tution has been incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida and is known as Palmer College, named after Rev. B. M. Palmer, D.D., LL.D., of New Orleans. The object was to give to our public an insti- tution of learning where all denominations might send their children to be educated under Chris- tian influence but without interfering with any religious principles. 13 THOMAS INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE, De Funiak Springs, Opens September 30th DeFuniak Springs is noted as a community of Christian culture and refinement. All leading denominations are represented, and students upon entrance are required to register their choice and to attend the Sunday School and morning service of that church regularly. Courses are given in Astronomy, Bible Study, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Economics, Lan- guages, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Zo- ology, Science, Civics, Music, Art, Jewelry De- signing, China Decoration, Elocution and Ex- pression, etc. The Thomas Industrial Institute for Boys and Girls, located at DeFuniak Springs, is a new institution which is attracting much attention in this part of the country. It has one of the best farms in West Florida, consisting of 264 acres of land, an extra fine dairy plant and live stock for the farm. Agriculture will be one of the leading features of this great institution. This school fills a long-felt want. All over the country many good boys and girls have been deprived of an education because they could not pay the price. Now there is a place for all ; worthy boys and girls who come well recom- mended can arrive without a dollar and work their way through school. This school has a great future, and the future has a great school. DeFuniak Springs is indeed an ideal college town; ideal in its health conditions, its location, its moral and educational influences. It is, in short, an ideal town for parents wishing to settle down where they can enjoy the best of health that life affords and where they will have facilities for sending their boys and girls to school with the assurance that their interests will be furthered in every possible way. 14 GROWING HAY CROP, NEAR DE FUNIAK SPRINGS “HOW DO WE LIVE HERE?” Probably the very next question to enter your mind is this^ “How do the folks live down there ? What is the principal industry there?” About the best answer we can think of is that we do everything here that you can do any- w'here else, and a few things besides ! Naturally, the principal thing in cleared sec- tions of the country is farming, while the forests of pine tell their own story of lumber, turpentine, rosin, etc. The man, particularly the farmer, who seeks a new location, naturally asks when inquiring about the land; “What can I grow that will assure me a living and something to spare? What are the crops that the section I am look- ing to will produce with the most certainty of an adequate return for my labor and invest- ment? If I buy a farm in that section, can I grow crops for which there is a market, a certain market, and which I can get to that market without paying the larger part of it for transportation ?” 15 A FINE TRUCK FARM NEAR DE FUNIAK SPRINGS Walton County’s poorest lands produce the finest sugar cane syrup, making 300 to 1000 gallons per acre, which retails here at 60 cents per gallon. This is particularly true if he has been led to investigate the conditions in South and East Florida, where such glowing stories have been told of the yields of hundreds of dollars from a single acre, but which he has found to be the exception rather than the rule, and where he has found the ruins of many wrecked hopes in the shape of those who without previous ex- perience and knowledge have undertaken to grow such highly specialized crops as citrus fruits, and vegetables for the early markets. Many of these crops can be grown in Walton County, and some of the hardest are being tried with considerable success. The main standby crops that are good one year after another with unvarying success are the ones to which our most successful farmers are strictly adhering. At the head of this list really comes sugar cane and the production of high grade syrup, because our lands are particularly adapted to this crop. The higher lands grow a cane that yields a syrup of particularly fine flavor and color, and the yield, based on actual examples, has run as high as seven hundred and fifty gallons to the acre for ordinary cane, and as high as nine hundred gallons for the Japanese variety. This syrup in the open market is worth from fifty to eighty cents per gallon. Seventy dollars will plant, cultivate and market the crop on an acre. Now figure the profit for yourself. 16 HAY CROPS From velvet beans, cowpeas and native grasses. Cane, too, is a never-failing crop. It never has failed in the history of the country. The product can be marketed as soon as it is ready, or it can be held for months or even years for better prices, if so desired. The freight rate to ship is low. Hay crops, sorghums, millets, kaffir corns and other native grasses can be grown here at a lower cost than elsewhere. The only reason why there is not more of it grown is that many of our oldest resident farmers stick to the old Southern preference for cotton growing. The tobacco industry is one that thrives won- derfully in this latitude, and immense quantities of this are shipped every year at great profit. The farmers through this section easily pro- duce the following yield per acre: Corn 20 to 100 bu. Cotton ^ to 2 bales Florida syrup (from sugar cane) .300 to 800 gal. Sweet potatoes 100 to 400 bu. Irish potatoes 100 to 200 bu. Onions 100 to 500 bu. Rice 30 to 50 bu. Oats 30 to 75 bu. Peanuts 30 to 75 bu. Chuffas ,'iO to 200 bu. 17 A NICE FIG TREE Walton County could supply the nation with this most delicious fruit. One tree yields bushels of fruit. They grow easily everywhere. Proportionately as large yields from all kinds of peas, beans, sorghum, kaffir corn, popcorn, millet, barley, rye, oats, vetch, rape and many kinds of grasses, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, rutabaga, cucumber, squash, pumpkin, melons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, peppers, radish, egg- plants, beets, pecans, peaches, figs, grapes, pears, plums, berries, oranges, walnuts, chest- nuts — in fact, almost every known crop or plant, fruit or vegetable, can be successfully grown, making two to four crops per year on the same land, with crops growing each month in the year. Here is a practical rotation for twelve months : Nov. 1 to Feb. 1 — Cabbage, rutabaga, turnips, oats, barley and rye for pastures. Feb. 1 to May 1 — Onions, peas, beans, pota- toes, cabbage, radish, tomatoes, melons, cucum- bers, etc. May 1 to Aug. 1 — Corn, peas, beans, pota- toes, etc. Aug. 1 to Nov. 1 — Peas, beans, cabbage, pea- nuts, potatoes, etc., as well as peppers, squash, cucumber, radish, tomatoes, eggplants, etc., in place of some of the other crops mentioned, and raise all the hogs, sheep, cattle, goats and poultry you want. Back of all prosperity and agriculture lies live stock. Nowhere in the United States (a broad assertion, but capable of demonstration) are there better opportunities for profitable live stock production, whether the finished product is to be beef, pork, mutton, poultry, eggs or dairy products, than in Walton County. 18 A HERD OF JERSEY COWS Come to Walton County to raise all kinds of live stock and poultry. Last year one farmer on the high sand hills made over sixty tons of Japanese cane per acre, a feed almost as rich in carbohydrates as corn. Velvet beans, Chinese beans, in fact, any of the beans, cowpeas and beggar weed will furnish the protein, and these are all crops indigenous to the soil and climate, but even if it were nec- essary to use such concentrates to furnish this, ninety per cent of the fertilizing value goes back on the land and makes it richer for suc- ceeding years. The southern part of the State does not fur- nish enough dairy products for itself and must buy them from the North. This gives a nearby market. For beef production we do not have to feed against the cold and can graze cattle on proper crops and pasturage twelve months out of the year, and we do not need to worry about the rest of the time. Hog production simply needs the same care that is required in the States of the Middle West, and the best light hog market in the United States — New Orleans — is twelve hours away by fast freight. The low priced land is here, land that is pro- ductive, which laughs with harvest when intelli- gently tilled. The markets are available and nowhere are the agricultural possibilities greater than in Walton County. 19 WALTON COUNTY LEADS IN THE PRODUCTION OF WOOL We have thousands of sheep, cattle and hogs that live in the woods the year 'round without feed or shelter. All feed stuffs ean be grown here as cheaply as in any other place in the United States, and possibly in greater variety. Our wild lands now supply pasturage the year round for thousands of cattle, sheep and hogs, without feed or shelter. No man can make a better investment than by buying land anywhere in Walton County NOW while prices are low. One good invest- ment may mean more to you than a lifetime of labor at an average salary. It is doubtful if one will ever live to be offered an opportunity to make an investment that will in any wise surpass this one. When you put your money in GOOD REAL ESTATE you know it is SAFE. Banks may fail, corporations go into bankruptcy, but real estate is as safe and sound as the Rock of Gibraltar. How about the mining stock many of you have purchased.^ Don’t you wish you had it in this land now? Think what it would mean to you. Ten acres and upward of this land means an absolute and independent living and plenty of money in the bank if you will move on it, plant and cultivate it intelli- gently. You have twelve months in the year, and no place in the world offers a greater variety of crops and plants, together with live stock and poultry. 20 A SATSUMA ORANGE GROVE, DE FUNIAK SPRINGS When you buy land anywhere in Walton County, Florida, all element of risk is elim- inated. All wideawake men, even if they are worth millions of dollars, are large owners of farm land. They figure that if all their stocks, bonds, chattels and collaterals should suddenly disappear, they know they still have their farm lands to fall back on. It is a better thing to leave to your family after death than insurance, as insurance money is frequently squandered, or poorly invested. Even if you do not wish to move onto this land immediately, its value will grow faster than money deposited in any bank, or invested in any other safe and sound security. Plant your holdings in grapefruit, oranges, pecans, peaches, figs or grapes, in fact, in any of the several fruits that flourish in Walton County, and in a few years from now you will have a valuable property, with a net yearly income or profit that will surprise you. Now that the Panama Canal is completed, Pensacola will be the leading seaport of the entire Southland, as it is some two hundred miles nearer the Canal than any other Gulf port with a suitable harbor. Now that the Canal is open for business, real estate in this part of Florida will multiply in value many times. To the shrewd, far-sighted business man this proximity to the Panama Canal and the many other natural advantages should be a great enough incentive to warrant him in purchasing a piece of this land while it is being offered at its present extremely low figure. 21 CHOCTAWHATCHEE RIVER NOT ONLY A LAND OF GREAT PROM- ISE, BUT A LAND OF PER- PETUAL RECREATION. The country surrounding DeFuniak Springs is ideal for both resident and tourist, providing hunting and fishing aplenty. Partridges, deer, wild turkeys, ducks, foxes, wildcats, raccoons, ’possums, rabbits and squirrels are products of the day’s shooting, while fish abound in all the lakes, brooks, streams and bayous surrounding the Springs. There are many of these spots, notably among which are Lake Cassidy, the Stanleys, and the famous Morrison Springs, Choctawhatchee River, Shoal River and Yellow River. While the tropical type of vegetation must not be expected, there is, on the other hand, no attendant malaria and debilitating atmosphere, the air being crisp and fine, full of the life- giving ozone of the pine forests, and the salt breezes wafted from the distant Choctawhatchee Bay, which is an arm of the Gulf of Mexico. For miles around DeFuniak Springs stretch forests of long-leafed pine. 22 LARGE RED CYPRESS MILL Choctawhatchee Bay LEGEND. The center of population of the United States is nearer to Pensacola than to any other Gulf port. Commerce from the “producing” section of the United States, passing through the Gulf ports, moves toward her natural trade countries. Central and South America, Japan, China and Australia, and follows the most eco- nomical route. All of the United States lying west of Trade Line “A” is nearer to Pensacola than to any Atlantic port. All of the United States lying east of Trade Line “B” is nearer to Pensacola. All that portion lying between Trade Lines “C” and “D” is nearer to Pensa- cola than any other Gulf port except Mobile and New Orleans. The intercoastal waterway, under construc- tion, will give Pensacola, and likewise pro- ducers from Walton County, competitive water rates to the Mississippi Valley. The coal and iron fields lying closest to the natural trade countries are nearer Pensacola than to any other port. The proposed canal between Pensacola and Mobile Bay will give Pensacola water connection with the Alabama coal fields. 23 ONE OF OUR MANY CHURCHES De Funiak Springs. The foregoing information has been given here for the purpose of showing an important ad- junct to the future prosperity of Walton County, due to its being within a couple of hours’ ride of Pensaeola, that most important harbor of the entire South. We feel free in stating that we can offer to the prospective investor more real, genuine nat- ural advantages than any other section of Florida. Also we are pleased to court inquiry and investigation on any and all of the state- ments or assertions that we have made in this work with reference to this land of bounty and prosperity — Walton County, Florida. Investigate now, then come and be one of us as soon as you ean. Our eountry needs you — }mu need our eountry. ’Nuff sed. The DeFuniak Springs Board of Trade, while of comparatively recent origin, is in reality one of the eity’s most decisive and important steps toward real civie development. Its or- ganization came as the result of conclusions reached by the business men of DeFuniak Springs that no city can ever be properly de- veloped until the various interests of that com- munity are thoroughly organized and pushed forward by united and uneeasing effort. The personnel of the DeFuniak Springs Board of Trade is composed of the city’s biggest men, who have all made success in their several lines of endeavor and who have, as a result of their own suecess, a roek-flrm faith in the future of their city. 24 A COUNTRY HOME NEAR DE FUNIAK SPRINGS The officers are: President — William Rogers^ lumberman. Vice-President — R. W. Storrs^ newspaper man. Second Vice-President — Charles F. Turner, real estate broker. Treasurer — D. D. McCaskill, hardware and furniture dealer. Secretary — G. K. Armes, civil engineer. All are doing their full part in the important work of getting things properly started in the right direction to further the interests of the city of DeFuniak Springs. One of the very first resolutions adopted and carried out to the last possible letter by the DeFuniak Springs Board of Trade was to in- vestigate each and every real estate concern doing business within the confines of their city, and as a result the land shark finds a hot time awaiting him when he endeavors to ply his nefarious business in this town. The DeFuniak Springs Board of Trade, which might well be called “the Walton County Board of Trade,” with perhaps a wider range of effort and prestige, plans to co-operate with other commercial organizations in a concerted effort to bring West Florida to the front where she belongs, by placing the situation with its immense possibilities squarely, honestly and in- telligently before the people. Communications relative to the land, its price, farming possibilities, location, etc., will, of course, receive immediate attention if addressed to the Secretary of the Board, George K. Armes. 25 DEPOT OF L. & N. RAILROAD, DE FUNIAK SPRINGS RESUME OF DEFUNIAK SPRINGS. THE CITY BEAUTIFUL. The town is located on the Pensacola and Atlantic division of the L. & N., half way be- tween Pensacola and River Junction. There is also another road leading out, by the name of the DeFuniak Springs & Northern. The principal business streets are Baldwin Avenue, Seventh Street and Eighth Street. They are business streets of which any city several times the size of DeFuniak Springs might well be proud. The lake around which the town is built is one mile in circumference, with no visible outlet, the water of which comes from some hidden source farther north, flowing in a subterranean river to the sea. Around the lake is a cement walk, nearly two miles long. The principal homes of the city are built directly on this street, which from the fact that it encircles the marvelously beautiful little Chautauqua Lake, is known as “The Circle.” This pretty arrangement goes a long way to- ward placing DeFuniak Springs in a class by itself ; one which makes its scenic effect equal to many places in Europe. Surrounding the lake and between it and The Circle is situated a park of shadowy pines, in which are small pagodas and rustic seats, and the stately white Amphitheater, owned by the Chautauqua Association, reminding one of an especially fine looking and remarkably well kept “Castle by the Sea.” Lake Chautauqua may be seen from any part of the town, through a fringe of pines, dimpling in the sunlight; sweet, alluring and mysterious by the moon ; always a welcome rest to the eye. £6 LAKE FRONT RESIDENCE Naturally sanitary, the situation has been augmented by the waterworks and sewerage system, a monument to the energy of the public- spirited and worthy citizens of DeFuniak Springs. The watch-word is “Clean up and keep clean,” and the city certainly shows its results. The water comes from an artesian well 600 feet deep, and is the finest and purest to he found anywhere in the country. There are two banks in DeFuniak Springs, the First National Bank and the Cawthon State Bank, both strongly financed and both reflecting the general prosperity of the city and its sur- rounding territory. The merchants are all hustling, live, energetic people with an inborn courtesy and genuine sense of hospitality; and, with a policy of strict- est honesty and quality first, are ever intent on the cultivation and fostering of that finer feeling of the South. Besides what the city gets in a good, sub- stantial country trade, DeFuniak Springs and adjacent points ship large amounts of sawmill products, naval stores, wool and farm products, amounting to many thousands of dollars. The Pensacola Journal’s special edition for Walton County contains a special extract from which we quote the following, with a feeling of, we hope, pardonable pride: “Walton County appears on the map only as a subdivision, like other counties of the State of Florida. But this fertile and prosperous division of the most attractive section of the commonwealth is really an empire, with room sufficient and resources ample to support half the present population of the State. 27 A FIELD OF CORN FOUR MILES FROM DE FUNIAK SPRINGS This crop yielded 115 bushels per acre. We produce corn at a cost of 15 cents per bushel. “Walton County is larger than Rhode Island, with a population of over half a million. It is almost as large as Delaware, with a population of over two hundred thousand. It is half as large as Porto Rieo, with a population of one million. It is one-seventh as large as the Netherlands and, on the basis of the latter’s population, with a soil as productive and a longer annual crop-growing period, it could support a population of seven hundred and twenty thousand people. “There is scarcely a crop that will not grow here, and the climate is such that a crop of some kind may be growing during every month of the year. Corn, cane, cotton, hay, legumes of every kind, vines, nuts, fruits, tubers, vege- tables — almost anything, in fact, that the palate desires or the markets demand — may be success- fully cultivated in this semi-tropic land of plenty. “Cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry are raised cheaper and more profitably than in either the North or West. It is a combination of soil and climate that makes these things possible. “But while Walton County is rich in area, in climate and in soil resources, she is still richer in the character and culture of her people. There is probably no county in Florida whose white population holds such high rank in gen- eral education and in school and church advan- tages as does Walton. Here is a people of clean morals, of cultivated minds, of hospitable hearts — the ideal environment for the home- maker who would rear his family among good neighbors and amidst elevating influences. “Walton County’s only need is MORE PEOPLE .” — The Pensacola Journal. 28 A SECTION OF HARD ROAD Walton County has built many miles of hard road of a mixture of clay and sand, and is still building. SPECIAL TO THE INVESTOR. In the compilation of this work the writer has endeavored not to give any statement that could be construed to be misleading, but on the contrary to give facts upon which you may rely in making up your mind whether to come to Walton County or to go elsewhere. We can put the proposition much stronger and without ex- aggeration, but we wish to leave a reasonable range for the differences of opinion and still stay within the limits of our claims. We know that DeFuniak Springs and Walton County offers more for the money, in lands, health, climate, soil, variety of crops and plants that can be successfully grown, in the raising of hogs, cattle, sheep, poultry and general farming, etc., along with the many other industries and natural resources, than almost any section of the United States. Our lands are cheap, with no padded prices for advertising or colonizing. Our sales direct from the owners, in large or small tracts, will actually save you from 50 to 75 per cent of your money, and in most cases give you better lands. We have no large swamps, ponds or marshes, and most of this country is free from mosquitoes and malaria. We have an abundant supply of the purest soft water everywhere. Our natural drainage is perfect. 29 The county will average 200 feet above sea level, reaching close to 300 feet along the L. & N. R. R. Our annual rainfall is fifty to sixty inches, well distributed throughout the year. Crop failure from drought has never been known, and we grow crops every month in the year. The winters are mild, the summers better tlian winters. We offer jmu in quantities, qualities and prices to suit you, real genuine bargains in timber lands, cut-over lands, suitable for farming, colon- izing or grazing, or for the individual home- seeker, improved or unimproved places. Timber lands suitable for turpentine or sawmill busi- ness could be followed by farming, etc., in tracts from 1,000 to 100,000 acres at from $6.00 to $15.00 per acre, depending upon the amount of timber per acre and grade of soil. Some better tracts of virgin timber run from $20.00 to $30.00 per acre. A residence lot in DeFuniak Springs will cost from $50 to $1,000, according to location. A house and lot proportionately the same. Furnished rooms and houses rent at from $8 to $40 per month. Good board and rooms are furnished in the hotels and boarding houses at from $15 to $40 per month. We extend to you a most cordial welcome to DeFuniak Springs and Walton County. Our sunshine and sea breezes are worth as much as the price asked for our land. Our lands are worth $250.00 to $500.00 per acre because we can produce three crops each year with as great yield per acre as the Northern and Western lands that cost $50.00 to $250.00 per acre, with a possibility of only one crop in twelve months. We sell our land at $5.00, $10.00 or $15.00 per acre, free from all incumbrance, with all the advantages outlined, and will arrange satis- factory terms of payment. All inquiries will receive prompt attention if addressed to the real estate men or any member of the Board of Trade. Give us a portion of your time this fall and winter and let us show you one good investment such as we refer to, which may be worth many times the cost. Be- sides, you will enjoy the visit. We will be glad to show you our country, and invite you to come see it. 30 >- I:-' ti ■ f in /' - 45748 FISHING BOATING HUNTING IDEAL CLIMATE BUMPER CROPS HEALTH WEALTH HAPPINESS ALL TO BE HAD IN DE FUNIAK SPRINGS and Walton County FLORIDA