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The East Coast of Florida

Postcard Folder

Circa 1920s

Thousands of miles of smooth auto highways traverse Florida, some leading for miles along the seashore under cocoanut palms, others along picturesque rivers, others by inland lakes or tall pines towering solemnly, sentinel green palms, waterscapes of little lakes, and bayous coming unexpectedly into view as some wooded corner is rounded, enrapturing the motorist with a rare delight, unequalled elsewhere.

Florida is famed for the luxuriant growth of her royal palms and her fruitful cocoanut palms are in fine condition. Among the native flowers and shrubs are grown every variety, including the Royal Poinciana, Jasmine, Poinsettia and Bergamot.

Among the tropical and subtropical fruits grown are the avocado, pear, grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime, mango, sapodilla, mameysapota, tangerine, guava, kumquat, pawpaw, banana, pineapple, date, almond, and sour sop.

Jacksonville, on the banks of the broad St. John's River, is only 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Its deep harbor, miles of bulkhead and pierspace, accommodates large ocean liners and freighters. Jacksonville is well served by five trunk line railways. West of Jacksonville, on a short trip, is the famous Suwanee River. One of the joys of a sportsman's life is a houseboat trip down the Suwanee. There is game an both banks of the river to the mouth, which is at the Gulf of Mexico. Pablo Beach, 21 miles from Jacksonville over hard-surfaced roads, is one mile wide at low tide. The sand is so white and hard that the heaviest automobile leaves but a faint impression of its tire treads.

Juan Ponce de Leon, in search for the fountain of youth, discovered Florida on March 27, 1513. He landed at the Indian village of "Selooe," on the spot where St. Augustine now stands. Fort Marion, begun 1586, completed 1756, covers five acres. For a long period of time it was the strongest fortification in America. It was never taken by an enemy. In 1821 the State of Florida was ceded to the United States for $5,000,000. The stars and stripes were raised over Fort Marion July 4th. In St. Augustine is located the largest Alligator Farm in the world, Ponce de Leon' s famous Fountain of Youth, the palatial Ponce de Leon, Alcazar and Cordova Hotels, noted for their Spanish and Moorish architecture.

The geographic location of Daytona Beach places Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Palm Beach and Miami within one day's journey with an automobile. The streets are arched over with moss-covered oaks and magnolias, affording an abundance of restful shade.

The Halifax River is the natural protected inland water route that extends from Jacksonville to Key West. The Tomoka and Halifax Rivers, with their enchanting tributaries, lure the motorboat and the canoe into quiet and beautiful shaded nooks, which abound with nature's charms.

Overlooking placid Lake Worth from the crest and slopes of a sand ridge, Palm Beach is indeed the beauty spot of the East Coast of Florida, located between the east shore of Lake Worth and the Atlantic Ocean. Lake Worth is a tidewater lagoon, from one-half to one mile in width, and about twenty miles long-of sufficient size to make an ideal harbor for the many private yachts that visit Palm Beach yearly, and for boating pleasures of all kinds. On the ocean side is the fine sandy beach for surf bathing and a casino with a large pool, for those who prefer their saltwater bathing in quiet waters. Outdoor sports, such as golf, tennis, ocean and stillwater bathing, sail and motor-boating, automobiling on perfect hard-surfaced roads, salt and fresh water fishing, hunting, aeroplaning, exploring tropical jungles, bicycling. Auto-mobiling, theater going and dancing in open-air tea gardens, afford ample opportunity for the indulgence of every taste.

Miami is one of the greatest seaports in the world, commercially and for pleasure craft. To the eastward of the city lies beautiful Biscayne Bay, unparalleled for scenic investure and natural provision for harbor facilities. In Biscayne Bay fish of many kinds and colors are visible against the pearl white sandy floor. More than 700 varieties of fish inhabit the waters adjacent to Miami. Some of the most magnificent winter homes in America are in this vicinity. These estates have artificial canals and lagoons, with groves of cocoanut palms, royal palms and other varieties of tropical flowers and plants. The grass is green and luxuriant throughout the entire year.

Miami Beach is located on a narrow yet attractive peninsula. There are casinos, bathing pavilions, shore resorts and exquisite little bathing places along the ocean front, from the jetties northward to primeval mangrove studded roads. Linking the beach with Miami is a giant causeway spanning Biscayne Bay and giving speedy access to the Atlantic Ocean. From December to March, year in and year out, Miami's thermometer registers the sort of unvarying climatic joy that makes the straw hat and the sport suit an identifying uniform of the city. The splendid Ingraham Highway leads you to the Royal Palm State Park, with its deep jungles, its scientific display of the fauna and bird life of Florida, and such a kingdom of palms as is rarely seen elsewhere.

Key West, port of entry, an a small coral island of the same name, about 60 miles south of the mainland, and 90 miles north-east of Havana, is the most southerly point of the United States. About Key West are found the greatest variety of fish in United States waters, from tarpon and jew fish to sardine, 170 varieties, all of the West Indian fauna. The harbor is deep enough for the largest ship afloat, and wide enough to shelter the navies of the world.

Source:
Excerpt from the postcard folder "The East Coast of Florida" published by the E.C. Kropp Co. circa 1920s