Florida: A Pamphlet Descriptive of its History, Topography, Climate, Soil, Resources and Natural Advantages. Tallahassee, Florida: TheFloridian Book and Job Office, 1882.
Florida: A Pamphlet Descriptive of its History, Topography, Climate, Soil, Resources and Natural Advantages. Tallahassee, Florida: TheFloridian Book and Job Office, 1882.
Page 116
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Area, 690 square miles, or 441,600 acres. Population in 1840, 1,030; in 1850, 1,561; in 1860, 1,904; in 1870, 1,256; in 1880, 1,791. Number of schools, 3; pf school age, 610l white, 421; colored, 189; school attendance, 189. Acres of improved land, 136. Horses and mules, 29; cattle, 1,950; sheep, 264; hogs, 247. Assessed value of property, $247,182.
The territory of this county, except a small portion on the west side of the Apalachicola river, near its mouth, is embraced in the extensive grant made by the Indians in 1819 to Forbes & Co., an English trading house, and is known as a part of the “Forbes Purchase.”
Apalachicola, the county site, is at the mouth of the great river of that name. At present the lumber business is the leading industry. In antebellum times, and before the up-river country in Alabama and Georgia was intersected by railways, large quantities of cotton were brought by steamboats to this point and shipped thence to New York and New Orleans. It was then a flourishing place. When railroads turned the cotton bales to the eastward to be shipped from Atlantic ports, Apalachicola declined. Through the lumber business it is again entering into like and real estate again appreciating. The location of this little city by the sea is peculiarly healthful and pleasant. In the early spring the town is quite a resort for excursionists down the river on the commodious boats from points inland in Georgia and Alabama. Much of the old spirit of hearty hospitality hangs about the old town, and while some of its busy life has departed, its air is as fresh and bracing and its seaside features as attractive as ever. The milling business is on the increase, and will in time assume more considerable proportions. A brisk and profitable trade is also being done here in fish and oysters by boats up the river. Corn, salt and fertilizers are conveniently and cheaply introduced by vessels coming for lumber, and that would otherwise arrive in ballast. The spongers on the reefs, not far east of this place, find also at Apalachicola a convenient depot for supplies and the disposition of their catch.
Very little agriculture is pursued in this county. Immediately along the river banks are some very handsome orange groves that give promise of inducing more extended investments in that direction.
The Tribuneis a weekly paper published at Apalachicola.
We are glad to submit herewith a paper furnished by Mr. O. H. Kelly, the founder and moving spirit of the new port of Rio Carrabelle, situated in this county, on James Island:
ST. JAMES ISLAND
This is one of the most attractive and important points on the Gulf coast. The island is formed by a tide-water bayou known as Crooked river, which connects with the Carrabelle river at the west end and the Ocklockonee river on the east. It is located about midway between St. Marks and Apalachicola.
The island is the highest elevation on the coast between Pensacola and Tampa, ranging from twenty to seventy feet above the Gulf level. It is twenty-one miles in length, and averages about four miles in width. On it are several fresh water lakes well stocked with fish. The soil comprises the usual variety of the coast, embracing shell hammock, bay-gall and pine land.
At the west end of the island the town of Rio Carrabelle is rapidly building up, and becoming a milling point of importance. At this place is the well known Dog Island Harbor, claimed to be the best harbor on the Gulf coast. The entrance is by way of East Pass, through which ships drawing twenty feet readily enter and anchor in the harbor in twenty-four to twenty-seven feet of water, with mud bottom anchorage.
Tributary to this harbor are the Chattahoochee, Flint, Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Crooked, Ochlockonee and Sopchoppy rivers. From all of these streams both hewn and sawn timber is rafted or lightered to ships loading here, and thence transported to Northern and foreign ports. The immense pine forests on these rivers are a mine of wealth to support the town which must inevitably become the Gulf port of Middle Florida.
The soil on the mainland adjacent to the island is principally sandy, with a clay subsoil, and considered some of the most productive in the State. As yet the principal business is furnishing logs for the mills, and but few have given any attention to cultivating the soil; yet those who have are well rewarded for their labor, finding a ready home market for all their produce.
The best fisheries on the coast are on James Island and in the immediate vicinity.
Owing to the location, the summers here are made agreeable by the regular Gulf breezes, and the island has long been known and popular as a summer resort.
Being in the same latitude with St. Augustine the same crops can be produced that mature there.
Crossing the Ochlockonee river by a short ferry, land communication is had with Tallahassee in a distance from Carrabelle of forty-five miles. Steamboat communication has also been established with St. Marks as well as Apalachicola.
The population of Carrabelle at this time is between five and six hundred, most of whom have located here within the past two years.
St. Teresa, the Long Branch of Middle Florida, is a delightful summer resort on the eastern end of St. James Island, where the Tallahassee people in large numbers spend the summer months, leading a cottage life, with Gulf breezes and bathing.
Page 116
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Area, 690 square miles, or 441,600 acres. Population in 1840, 1,030; in 1850, 1,561; in 1860, 1,904; in 1870, 1,256; in 1880, 1,791. Number of schools, 3; pf school age, 610l white, 421; colored, 189; school attendance, 189. Acres of improved land, 136. Horses and mules, 29; cattle, 1,950; sheep, 264; hogs, 247. Assessed value of property, $247,182.
The territory of this county, except a small portion on the west side of the Apalachicola river, near its mouth, is embraced in the extensive grant made by the Indians in 1819 to Forbes & Co., an English trading house, and is known as a part of the “Forbes Purchase.”
Apalachicola, the county site, is at the mouth of the great river of that name. At present the lumber business is the leading industry. In antebellum times, and before the up-river country in Alabama and Georgia was intersected by railways, large quantities of cotton were brought by steamboats to this point and shipped thence to New York and New Orleans. It was then a flourishing place. When railroads turned the cotton bales to the eastward to be shipped from Atlantic ports, Apalachicola declined. Through the lumber business it is again entering into like and real estate again appreciating. The location of this little city by the sea is peculiarly healthful and pleasant. In the early spring the town is quite a resort for excursionists down the river on the commodious boats from points inland in Georgia and Alabama. Much of the old spirit of hearty hospitality hangs about the old town, and while some of its busy life has departed, its air is as fresh and bracing and its seaside features as attractive as ever. The milling business is on the increase, and will in time assume more considerable proportions. A brisk and profitable trade is also being done here in fish and oysters by boats up the river. Corn, salt and fertilizers are conveniently and cheaply introduced by vessels coming for lumber, and that would otherwise arrive in ballast. The spongers on the reefs, not far east of this place, find also at Apalachicola a convenient depot for supplies and the disposition of their catch.
Very little agriculture is pursued in this county. Immediately along the river banks are some very handsome orange groves that give promise of inducing more extended investments in that direction.
The Tribuneis a weekly paper published at Apalachicola.
We are glad to submit herewith a paper furnished by Mr. O. H. Kelly, the founder and moving spirit of the new port of Rio Carrabelle, situated in this county, on James Island:
ST. JAMES ISLAND
This is one of the most attractive and important points on the Gulf coast. The island is formed by a tide-water bayou known as Crooked river, which connects with the Carrabelle river at the west end and the Ocklockonee river on the east. It is located about midway between St. Marks and Apalachicola.
The island is the highest elevation on the coast between Pensacola and Tampa, ranging from twenty to seventy feet above the Gulf level. It is twenty-one miles in length, and averages about four miles in width. On it are several fresh water lakes well stocked with fish. The soil comprises the usual variety of the coast, embracing shell hammock, bay-gall and pine land.
At the west end of the island the town of Rio Carrabelle is rapidly building up, and becoming a milling point of importance. At this place is the well known Dog Island Harbor, claimed to be the best harbor on the Gulf coast. The entrance is by way of East Pass, through which ships drawing twenty feet readily enter and anchor in the harbor in twenty-four to twenty-seven feet of water, with mud bottom anchorage.
Tributary to this harbor are the Chattahoochee, Flint, Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Crooked, Ochlockonee and Sopchoppy rivers. From all of these streams both hewn and sawn timber is rafted or lightered to ships loading here, and thence transported to Northern and foreign ports. The immense pine forests on these rivers are a mine of wealth to support the town which must inevitably become the Gulf port of Middle Florida.
The soil on the mainland adjacent to the island is principally sandy, with a clay subsoil, and considered some of the most productive in the State. As yet the principal business is furnishing logs for the mills, and but few have given any attention to cultivating the soil; yet those who have are well rewarded for their labor, finding a ready home market for all their produce.
The best fisheries on the coast are on James Island and in the immediate vicinity.
Owing to the location, the summers here are made agreeable by the regular Gulf breezes, and the island has long been known and popular as a summer resort.
Being in the same latitude with St. Augustine the same crops can be produced that mature there.
Crossing the Ochlockonee river by a short ferry, land communication is had with Tallahassee in a distance from Carrabelle of forty-five miles. Steamboat communication has also been established with St. Marks as well as Apalachicola.
The population of Carrabelle at this time is between five and six hundred, most of whom have located here within the past two years.
St. Teresa, the Long Branch of Middle Florida, is a delightful summer resort on the eastern end of St. James Island, where the Tallahassee people in large numbers spend the summer months, leading a cottage life, with Gulf breezes and bathing.