Florida

2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Florida. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about race that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) a State in the South Atlantic division of the North American Union, bounded by Alabama, na, Georgia, the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Straits of Florida; area, 58,680 square miles; admitted as a State in 1845; number of counties, 54. Pop. (1890) 391,422; (1900) 528,542; (1910) 751,139; (1920) 968,470; capital, Tallahassee. Topography. The surface of the State is very low and flat, gradually rising from a few feet above sea-level along the coast to a central ridge with an altitude of about 300 feet. The flat lands extending along the coasts consist of open grass-grown savannahs, cypress swamps, pine forests, and "cabbage hammocks," so called from the extensive growth of the cabbage palms. The W. part of the State, excepting on the coast, is quite hilly. The S. part of the peninsula is built up of successive coral D 85° C B Chattahoochee R Campbellton Flint Re on Graceville Malone Bascom Greenwood G R Bainbridge Cairo Valdosta Marianna Bonita Cottondale Suwanoochee ble Aycock Aberdeen Butler Kynesville Senes eneads Chattahooche Thomasville Chipley Quitman amonia Duncan Alford o Star Cypress River Je pleasant Statenville Grand Ridge Ridge Inw Round Lake • Mt. Grethe Conopτάκη Wausau Compass Alliance Festus Ins Vernon Ashville Lovetts 9.Lake Jennings Altha Bakers Mill Havas JfRckson Muccosukee Watso Quincy WASHING Betts Chasono Blounts-Ferry Monticello Pinetta so Selmano HAMILTON Belmont Midway L. Greenhead Alamo Carro O Greensboro Gregory Chipola Lloyd Pinhook Greenville Madison LEON TON Fountain Clarksville Bristol Westlake Jasper 5000 4 00 1450 Benton Aucilla 1 ee Lee na Blountstown Horsford Holland Chaires JEFFER MADISONO Genoa Merial Econina White Springs Bennett Frink Falmouth Bloxham TALLAHASSEE Waukeenah Hopewell Barheadungstown ville Estiffanulg High Point Lamont Moseler Ellaville Suwanee Wadiss Newbury Live Oak Brown Marys port C Ward Springhill WoodSON wanee Woodvil Scotts Houstono Wellborn Hall Aucilla allFile Majette Kinar Trump Benhaden AY Shady Grove O Vereen COLUMBIA Econfina R Boyd Chancy of LIBERTY Raven WAKULIMA Day SUWANEE Idlewoodo Watertown Waylonzo Fen- St. Marks Smithcreek llaway Lake City Luraville Perry halloway Mayo TAYLOR Promantou Wewah Iola Crawfordsville Pinemount Coghitchkas Lulu Johnstown Ashmore Medart Emerson Blas Wotapno Sumatra Columbia 4 ✓ Call Sepchoppy Dicksons B. 30 Alton Brien Bellis Farmdale Douglas C Dukes McIntyre Branford Steinhatchee FRANKLIN Stein hatchee R. Apala Randolph -Apalachicolo St. George Sor St.Teresa St. Andrews ver Register Downing San Ft. Who street Pla Henslero Salem 4 High Sprs. und BeeNe APALACHEE Willeford Fewade •Bell 10 St.Joseph Bay Port Thelma Mallory Suint Joe Clark BAY Agnes DOG 1. Apalachicóla + Jonesboro Wannee Stephensville ALACHU Newberry Gainesville C.San Blas ST. VINCERTS 1. Bay Deadman Jena Old Town ST.GEORGE 1. Trenton Arredonda Suwane B. Archer C.St.George Horssshoe Judson Albion TE 2 Pine Pt. Chiefland Bronson Janney Willistono Rocky Vista LEVY Montbrook Otter Cr. Morriston Rosewood Suwannee Sd. Gulf Hammock G Cedar Keyso Lebanon Withlacoochee B. Nithlacoochee 29 Holder UL Citronelle Crystal R. Hernando Crystal B. Ozello Homosassa Chassahowitzka B. Freeman o 3 Brooksville Aripekas Envilleo Sagano Bayonet Pt. (Hudson Port Richey Security Anelote Odessa Keystone Tarpon Sprs c Sutherland 0 HOG 1.0 Harbor Flora o Ozona 28 Dunedine Clearwater Belleairo W / Tampa Largoora Tampa Anona Tampa 6 B. Cits Bay F Port Tampa Serainole Gulfporto, Petersburg Egmont Tampa LONG KEY Pass-a-griile Ceia Palmetto 4 Cortez Oneco LONG KEY M SARASOTO KEY 27 FLORIDA Rock Pt. SCALE OF STATUTE MILES 0 10 20 100 30 40 60 80 SCALE OF KILOMETRES 0 10 20 80 140 60 40 100 120 5 County Towns Railroads H C 86° 87° Samson Brewton low R Escambia A Ganger M IL A B A Falco Geneva Florala Nokomis • Dixonville 31 Esto 31 Paxton Lakewood Catawba Century o well Silas Noma Laurelhül Jay o Bluffspringso Rock Oro Graceville Darlington Dady Earnestville Brick Dak Grove Rineville Berrydale Cora o HOLMES Gordono ES Glendale Westvillero Caryville Munson Blackman Ste Stella McDay Garden Cityo Bottso Aycock Ealum Red Rock Hill Baker Dorcas Pine Barren Ponce de Leon Carylle Chipler PerdidoR Deerland BarSANTA Indianalis Alfordo I WASHING Ford Holt Molinoc e De Funiak Argyl Wallace 6 Cottagehill Roeville Harold Springs WALTON Vernon Cantonment Milton Norum Compass Lo 0 Musqogee RANetts Valparaisol Pace Redbay o TON Betts Robinson Pinewood Portland Freeport Greenhend Fountain East B. Howello sti Garniers Bolton choctawhatchee Bay Pt. Bruce Avondale Holley Ebro Noles Millview Pensacola Wrighto Harper tigh Econfinap Bennett Pensacola Santa Rosa Su SANTA ROSA Farri Shoals Pine Merialo Perdido B Mary Esther Pestin Camp Walton Warrington Santa Rosa North Arm 20 Log Murfee Washington Barrancaso Y Vestbay Southport Bayhead GULF OF MEXICO Lynn Haven High Pt. Majette Mill Bayon St. Andrew Millville St. Andrews B. Parker Bay Harbor Cook Cromanton Wetappe Northwestern Portion of San Blas Auburn FLORIDA 30 Bellisle 30 Falmdale Same Scale as Main Map 86° Greenwich 87° Longitude West from 83 ° GreenwichD B Longitude 84° from West C A Copyright. I I. Poates Eng. Co.. 1921 81° E 82° Folkston Satilla R. Oke fenokee- St. Marys A Swamp Boulogne Kings Ferr St. Marys St Marys R. Hilhard Entrance Crandall NASSAU Fernandina @ksonville Berrin Callahan Bahoomas Duval Kent FL Georg Baxter Dinsmore - Taylor BAKER DEVOL Atlantic Beach 8. Jackson St. Nicholas Sanderson o Clen praticienny Plumm Hogan Rablo Beach Colustee St. Mary Maxville mer Orange ParkMandarin Greenland o Palm Valley Highland Bayard peruit Cove Switzer S Rafford Peoria Lawtey Middleburg land 30 Butler O CLAY BRADFORD New River Green Cove Millereek New St. Augustine Brooker Starke Belmore Sprs. Colee Augustine Anastasia Lenco Rivere La Crosse Hampton JOHNS Moultrie Bostwick Alachua Grandin Waldo Hurds Armstrong Crescent Beach Cadillac Orange Heights Florahome Federal Matanzas Inlet Hastings 이 Melrose PUTNAM Orange Mills Summer Haven Interlachen E. Palatka Windsor Campville Interla Yelvington OCEAN Palatka . San Mateo Matanzas Keuka Edgarka Grove Par Hawthorn Sisco Cy. Dinner Island Rochelle 2 Micano Evinsten Citra Norwalko Fruitla Poinona Rodinan Espunbla FLAGLER Orange Sprs. Welak, OH McIntosh OfHuntington Bunnell Boardman Of Dupont Bulow Georgetown L.Kerro Favoretta Fairfieldo Lake Seville o Reddick Blitchton Eureka Ho Lowell Ormond Holly Hill Anthony George 0 Pierson MARION Baperia Barberville Daytona Beach Seabreeze Grahamsville Daytona Port Orange York Astor Park Astor Leroy Ocala -kla Rockwell Shady Mossbluff Dexters Deleon Springs Ponce Park Candles wa VOLUSIA To Paisleye De Land Indian Sprs Mosquito Lagoon Dunuellon 29 New Smyrna Galter Belleview Stanton ton Pittman Hawks Park Weirsdale Summerfield Crowsbluff L.Helen Beresford Altoona Orange City Lady L.Hi Tania Oxford Higlev Umafilla. Wildwood Grand Id. erprise Osteen Oak Hil CITRUS Enterpris Montclair Eustis Mt. Dora Sunford Popka Le burgo ela o Inverness Shiloh esa Tangerine L. Mary Geneva Cole Sumterville Victoria SEMINOLE m..n Floral City L. Harri Turnbul Maple Bushnell Bloomfield Astatula Longwood Oviedo Mims Istachatta Webstero HERNANDO Crooni o Center Hith M Apopka Eatonville o Chuluota ✔ Apopka coe Titusville False Cape Winter Park Fox L. MERBITTS ORANGE Linden o Winter Gar.O 20lermont 3 Mascotte ISLAND Oakland Nathan Bay City Orlando Christmas Powerla C.Canaveral glake acoocheetMontevista E. Tohopekaligu Sharpes Courte City Pt. Pinecastle nay B. Dade City Greenpond Artesia Trilby Taft Jessamine Kissimmee obel Dog Cloud dianola Blanton Richland Cocoa S. Antonio anco Pasco Greer O Rockledge Georgiana Narcoossee A Indian R. O Alligator L. Lotus PASCO Banyan , Zephrhill so o Millard Morse Tohopekaliga Peghorn Z. Washington Davenport Myrtle Fau Gallie F Aand Haines City Auburndale anchton Kathleen o ♡ Park Branchton L. Cypress Adna o Melbourne • Knights Lakel Nowatney Thonotosassa OSCEOLA Lake Alfred 28 Malabar Carters Winterbayen Plant City ㅇ Valkaria Eagle Lake Lierce HILLSBOROUGH Grant & L. Kissimmee Whittier Gary Seffner Alatia Mulberry POLK Riverview Of Micco d B Roselandbastian • Bartow Crooked L.) L. Marion Orchid Phosphoria Lithia Keysyille Fellsmere Lake Wales Weohyakakka Wabasso Stanwood Stanwood Lokoseeo Balmo Tigerbay L. Baffum Quay Narrows Lillibridge Ft. Meade Golf City L. Arbuckle Toledo Gifford Fredonia, Wimauma ST. Veroc Olney Bowling Green Avon Park Oslod Maud Terra o Parish Ft.Green Viking Indian R. Iniet T Ft. Drum. Wauchula Ellenton Rye OKEECHOBEE 4 St. Lucied Zolfo Of Altman Sebring Kissimmee Ft. Pierce natee Braidentown Blount Bassenger MANATEE Castalia Eldred White City 1101 • Crewsvill Ankona Po Peace K Istokpoga Sweetwater LUCI E Walton Indian Beach Miakka Lily Gardner Arcadia I. Stearns Sarasota Eden Brownville Jensen Waveland R Okeechobee Bayonne Sandy L.Childs Stuarto Sewalls Pt. Pinelevel St. Lucie Miakka Owens Nocatee Harbor Vie Salerno DESOTO- Inlet Hul Orden Gomez Adrian Venus Palmadale Venice Hobe Sound Lake Ft. Glen Sparkman o Fisheating Gr. 27 MeGall Charlotte Harbor Rialla Murdocko ter Inlot Lakeport • Bermont eating Hall City GSAW GRASS BHyplouzo Englewoon Okeechobee Moore Haven Jupiter Cleveland Bairdville ating Cre N.Labelle Citrus Center Votte Ha Museo Grove City Hansfordo Turners Labelle Edge Acline PALM Placids later Alva Ritta S peohall Ro West Palm Beach Palm GASPARILLA 1. Char Bokeeliar Woodrowo.chee Denaud wot Olga Owanita Beach Hicpochee Bocagrande Pineland nd Pine Id. Sd. Gladecrest Lake Worth LACOSTA 1. Buckingham Caloosa d Lantana Ft.Myers Eddy o Boynton 5 CAPTIVA Drainag Delrayo Captiva Punta Rossa Seminole Wulfert Immokalee- Yamato Estero Ind. Res Sanibel L. Tratford Bocaratone SANIBEL Bayview Deerfield Bonita Sprsk Fort Shackleford Pompano BIG CYPRESS SWAMP BROWARED Rt. Lauderdale Naples New River Davie Danin Inlet 26 Hallandale Big Marco Pass jus Marco Fulfordo Biscayne Arch Creek Caxambason Everglade Caxambas Pass Cape Romano Bay Lemon CityLittleriver E Gullivans Be Buena Vista Chokoloske ADADE Miami RABBITT KEY Key Biscayne Bay Cocoanut Grove C.Florida PAVILION KEYΘ Larkinso Kendallo C.Florida Cutler TEN THOUSAND Perrine 0 Soldiers Key ISLANDS Black Point アニミニNaranja 6 Roger's Homestead Rodgers Run MARGATE SHOALS Harney's J.L.Jones Florida City o Ponce de Leon B. White Water B C.Sable KEY LARGO Mangrove Swampe N.W.Cape B. A. Russell 2 Garden Cove Barnes Sound East Cape Flamingo Martin Key Planter 25 FLORIDA BAY LONG 1. PPER METACOMBE KEY Knights Key LOWER METACOMBE KEY VACA KEYS TONG KEY CRAWL KEYS NO NAME KEY SUGARLOAF K. BOOT KEY SOMMERLAND K. CUDJOES K. BAHIA HONDA SADDLEBUNCH K. BIG PINE K. 81° Key West 80 F BOCA CHICA dikes; the upper part being occupied by Lake Okechobee, whose shallow waters gradually merge into the Everglades, an extensive swamp covering the entire lower part of the State. The Everglades are penetrated in all directions by a network of small, shallow streams, and at short intervals over the entire area are found wooded islands covered with semitropical vegetation. These islands are supposed to have been formerly surrounded by the ocean and to have borne the same relation to the mainland as do the reefs and keys of to-day. The Everglades are separated from the Gulf by extensive cypress swamps, the forests extending down the W. coast, narrowing out around the cape, and extending up along the Atlantic coast. Many of the Florida swamps are so densely over, grown with vegetation that they have been explored but little and are considered impassable. Among these are the Great Cypress in the S. part, and the Fen Holloway and Wakulla swamps farther N. The Okefenoke swamp in the extreme N. extends over into the State of Georgia. Almost the entire Atlantic coast is protected from the ocean by sand bars and coral reefs. Florida is noted for the number, size, and clearness of her springs, the most famous being the Silver Spring near Ocala in Marion county, with an estimated output of 300,000,000 gallons daily. Other notable springs are the Wakulla, near Tallahassee, the Wekiva in Orange county, and the Blue in Marion county. There are numerous sulphuretted springs along the coast; one near St. Augustine, 2 miles out at sea, boils so violently that the waves break against it as though it were a sunken reef. There are numberless lakes, many being aggregations of smaller The largest are Okechobee, springs. Munroe, George, Kissimmee, Crescent, Dexter, Apopka, Harris, and Eustis. These lakes are usually quite shallow and are in many cases connected with the sea by subterranean passages, often causing strange fluctuations, rising and falling at irregular periods. Geology. The substratum of the art of the State is of Upper greater part Eocene or Vicksburg limestone, while the coasts and the S. parts are mostly Postpliocene, or coralline limestone. Considerable phosphate exists in various forms, land and river pebble, hard and soft rock, and vertebrate remains, the hard rock extending in a belt running S. E. from Tallahassee to the S. E. part of Pasco county. Mineral Production. The only important mineral product is phosphate rock. About 1,500,000 tons, valued at about $4,000,000, are produced annually. Other Vol. IV-Cyc-K mineral products fuller's earth, are lime, and mineral waters. Soil. The soil is mostly sandy, but supports vegetation in great luxuriance. The surface soil, depending on the character of the underlying rock, is rich in phosphates, and these, together with decomposed vegetable matter, produce a very rich soil. In the N. and middle portions of the State, the oak, hickory, and pine grow extensively, while the long-leaved pine, pitch-pine, and cypress cover the S. portions. Agriculture. Florida exhibits the vegetable productions of both temperate and semi-tropical nature. In the N. the products include peaches, pears, and cotton, while the middle and S. counties produce the finest oranges, pineapples, mangoes, cocoa palms, guavas and almost all tropical fruits. The acreage, value and production of the principal crops in 1919 were as follows: corn, 840,- 000 acres, production 12,600,000 bushels, value $17,640,000; hay, 113,000 acres, production 141,000 tons, value $3,243,- 000; peanuts, 216,000 acres, production 3,402,000 bushels, value $7,178,000; tobacco, 4,200 acres, production 3,990,000 pounds, value $2,175,000; potatoes, 24,ction 1,824,000 bushels, 1, 000 acres, production value $3,830,000; sweet potatoes, 41,000 acres, production 4,100,000 bushels, value $5,740,000; cotton, 117,000 acres, production 17,000 bales, value $3,570,000. Manufactures. There were, in 1914, 2,518 manufacturing establishments, employing 55,608 wage The earners. capital invested was $88,319,000 and the wages paid $24,822,000. The value of the materials used was $33,816,000 and the value of the finished product was $81,principal manufactures are 112,000. The p naval stores, cotton-seed oil, cigars, lead pencils, refined sugar, flour, salt by evaporation, palmetto hats, braids, and wooden boxes. Lumbering is a leading industry; fishing, sponge and coral gathering afford occupations for many. Jacksonville has many canning establishments, and Key West and Tampa are noted for their fine cigars. Banking. On Oct. 31, 1919, there were 54 National banks in operation, having $6,460,000 in capital, $5,502,000 in outstanding circulation, and $25,084,- 000 in United States bonds. There were also 184 State banks with $5,585,000 capital and $2,147,000 surplus. In the su year ending Sept. 30, 1919, the exchanges at the United States clearing-house at Jacksonville aggregated $411,247,000, an increase over the previous year of $202,- 120,000. Education. School attendance is not compulsory. Separate schools are provided for white and colored children. There are about 200,000 enrolled pupils in the elementary schools and about 6,000 teachers. There are 100 public high schools with about 7,000 pupils. The total annual expenditure for educational purposes is about $4,000,000. about $4,000,000. The institutions for higher education include the Uriversity of Florida at Gainesville, the Suate College for Women at Tallahassee, Rollins College at Winter Park, John B. Stetson University at De Land. Churches. The strongest denominations in the State are the African Methodist Episcopal; the Methodist Episcopal, South; Regular Baptist, South; Regular Baptist, Colored; Roman Catholic; Methodist Episcopal; Protestant Episcopal; Presbyterian; Disciples; and Congregational. Finance. The receipts during the fiscal year 1919 amounted to $6,334,025, and the disbursements to $6,369,753. There was a balance on hand January 1, 1919, of $1,861,628, and on January 1, 1920, there was a balance of $1,825,899. The public debt amounted to $601,567. Transportation. There are about 6,000 miles of steam railway and about 200 miles of electric railway. The Atlantic Coast Railway and the Louisville and Nashville Railway run through the State. The Florida East Coast Railway with an extension to Key West was opened in 1912. A large trade is carried on through Pensacola and other ports. Harbor improvements have been carried out at Jacksonville. itable and correctional institutions include the State Institute for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind at St. Augustine, Hospital for the Insane at Chattahoochee; Industrial School for Boys, at Marianna; Prison Farm, at Raiford; Industrial School for Girls, at Ocala. State Government. The governor is elected for a term of four years. Legislative sessions are held biennially, beginning on the first Tuesday in April, and are limited to 60 days each. The legislature has 32 members in the Senate and 75 in the House. There are 4 representatives in Congress. History. Florida was discovered by by Juan Ponce de Leon, March 27, 1513, on Easter Sunday, after which the peninsula was named. He and his successors explored a large part of Florida in search of gold and "the fountain of perpetual youth." He was killed in a fight with the natives in 1521. A Spanish force of 400 men under Panfilo de Narvaez landed in 1528, and all but four perished. In 1539 a force of 600 under Fernando De Soto landed at Tampa Bay and moving to the N. and W., overcoming the natives by treachery and violence, passed beyond the present limits of Florida. A settlement of French Huguenots was attempted in 1564, but two years later was exterminated by the Spanish. From this time the Spanish were in absolute control, and settlements were made at Pensacola and elsewhere along the coast. In 1687 the first large consignment of negro slaves was brought to Florida. From 1702 to 1748 there were continued hostilities between the Spanish, French, and British along the coast, during which St. Augustine was twice besieged by the British. A truce lasted from 1748 to 1752, when war was again renewed, resulting in the exchange of Cuba for Florida, the British immediately taking possession. Shortly after the American Revolutionary War Florida was re-ceded to Spain. West Florida was sold to France in 1795. During the War of 1812 the British occupied Pensacola with the consent of Spain. In 1814 it was captured by the United States forces under Andrew Jackson. Then followed a long series of wars with the natives, the whole of Florida being ceded to the United States by Spain in 1819. In 1822 Florida was organized as a Territory of the United States. From 1835 to 1842 the Seminole Indians were in active hostility and on their final surrender they were removed to a special reservation. Florida was admitted to the Union as a State in 1845. At the outbreak of the Civil War the principal government Charities and Corrections. - The char-posts were seized by the State forces. Fort Pickens, however, was held by a Union garrison, and after being re-enforced was used as the base of operations in the vicinity. Jacksonville was several times occupied by the contending forces, and many minor engagements took place along the coast. Florida was readmitted to the Union on July 4, 1868.

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

the most southeasterly state of the Union. The name is Spanish, signifying "flowery." It was given in 1512 by Ponce de Leon , the first European to visit the state. On account of its shape, Florida is called the Peninsular State. It is called the Everglade State also, from the extensive swamps of that name. Its area is about 58,680 square miles. The entire surface of the state is low. It consists of earth washed down from the main continent or thrown up by the sea, resting in part on coral reefs. A chain of coral islands, here called keys, curves outward from the southern extremity toward Cuba. Key West is the outermost. The greatest altitude of the state is that of Mossyhead, 263 feet above the level of the sea. CHARACTERISTICS. The most characteristic features of the state are levels of fine pine forests, extensive grassy swamps, known as Everglades, and swamps of cypress. Immense springs well up here and there. One of the most noted boils up a mile or two out at sea near St. Augustine; another, called the Silver Springs, in Marion Country, pours forth a good sized stream, almost navigable for boats. Tourists are told that it discharges 300,000,000 gallons daily. To those who are accustomed to expect large springs only in a hilly country, or among mountains, these wonderful outbursts of underground water are a surprise. Lake Okechobee at the northern end of the Everglades is fed by a number of these springs. RIVERS. The annual rainfall varies, of course. It may be stated at from fifty to sixty inches. This, taken in connection with the large springs mentioned, makes the rivers of Florida much larger than might be expected. The largest, the St. John River, is navigable for 250 miles of its course. One hundred and fifty miles from its mouth it is a mile in width. It carries an enormous volume of water to the sea. Another river is the Suwanee, noted in plantation minstrelsy. COAST LINE. The coast is 1,000 miles in extent, not counting islands. St. Augustine, founded in 1565, and Jackson on the St. John, have the principal harbors on the eastern coast. The western coast is better provided. Pensacola and Tampa, visited by De Soto in 1539, are the most noted harbors. Key West has one of the finest island harbors in the world. CLIMATE. The climate of Florida is the mildest in the Union. Freezing weather is experienced rarely. The usual winter temperature ranges from fifty to seventy degrees. Navigable rivers, abundance of game, firm, sandy seacoasts, excellent hotel accommodations, and a delightfully bracing winter atmosphere enable Florida to divide honors with southern California as a winter resort. NATIVE POPULATION. The state was long the stronghold of the Seminole Indians. Although, in deference to the wishes of the people of the South, who dreaded their influence over the negroes, every effort was made to induce them to cede their lands, it was not until 1834 that General Jackson succeeded in removing the most of them to the Indian Territory . The fate of the Seminoles is really pathetic. They appear to have been much attached to their swamps and uplands. FAUNA. Deer, wild turkeys, green turtles, and other game are still abundant. The number and variety of game fishes is quite remarkable. Alligators were formerly so numerous that tourists amused themselves shooting them with rifles from the deck of the passing steamer, but they have been so hunted for their hides that they are now rare. Among curious birds are the anhinga or water turkey and the bright-plumaged parokeet. Several other brilliant birds have been reduced greatly in numbers by hunters in the service of wholesale milliners. Immense quantities of fresh fish are sent northward to the city markets. The sponge fisheries at Key West are important. FLORA. The plant life of Florida is unusually rich and varied, being almost tropical in its character. Many trees and flowers resemble those of the West Indies and the Amazon Valley, rather than those of North America . The cocoanut, mahogany, palm, and a species of rubber tree grow in certain localities. There are large upland forests of pine. They are now one of the world's chief sources of turpentine, tar, and rosin. It is said that half of the state is under timber. One of the most noticeable trees is the live oak, draped with long moss, such as Longfellow mentions in his Evangeline. There are extensive cypress swamps. One of the principal nutbearing trees is the hickory. AGRICULTURE. Although much of the soil is sandy, it appears to be unusually fertile. The swamps are filled with decaying vegetable matter, often to a depth of many feet. Ditches have been dug to drain extensive tracts. Extensive areas have been reclaimed in the vicinity of Lake Okechobee. Among the state's principal productions are sugar-cane, rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peanuts, cassava, tobacco, melons, walnuts, limes, guava, plums, peaches, pears, and pineapples. Fortunes have been made in raising lemons and oranges, and fortunes have been destroyed by unfortunate winter frosts, coming just often enough to bring disaster. COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. Florida is well provided with railroads. Lines of steamers ply between the principal ports and Charleston, Philadelphia, and New York. The principal shipments are fruits, tobacco, and a rock called phosphate, much in demand as a fertilizer. The latter is quarried in immense quantities. The convicts in the state penitentiary are employed in digging and loading it. Fuller's earth, used in bleaching cotton is obtained chiefly from Florida. The principal manufacture of the state is that of cigarmaking. This industry is centered largely at Tampa and at Key West. Havana tobacco is used largely. Passengers for Cuba take ship usually at Tampa for Key West or Havana. Florida was ceded to the United States by Spain in 1819. It was admitted to the Union in 1845; seceded January 10, 1861, and was restored in 1868. The state maintains a double system of schools--one for white children; another for colored. The state capital is at Tallahassee. The governor is elected for four years and cannot succeed himself. The pay of legislators is limited to sixty days. In 1900 the population was 528,542, about two-fifths colored. The next census is expected to show a gain of not less than 100,000. STATISTICS. The following statistics are the latest to be had from trustworthy sources: Land area, square miles 54,240 Population 650,000 Jacksonville 36,675 Tampa 24,220 Pensacola 22,256 Key West 21,174 Number counties 46 Members of state senate 32 Representative 68 Salary of governor $5,000 U. S. representatives 3 Presidential electors 5 Assessed valuation of property $142,000,000 Bonded indebtedness, 1906 $601,000 Acres under plow 1,500,000 Corn, bushels 5,300,000 Wheat, bushels 800 Oats, bushels 300,000 Tobacco, pounds 5,568,000 Rice, bushels 87,500 Orchard trees and vines 1,000,000 Horses 43,000 Mules 14,000 Cattle 750,000 Sheep 125,000 Swine 500,000 Goats 44,000 Acres of cotton (1907) 265,000 Pounds of cotton 25,000,000 Value of cotton crop $4,000,000 Value of cotton seed $500,000 Miles of railway 4,000 Capital invested in manufacturing $24,000,000 Operatives 38,000 Output of manufactured goods $50,000,000 Turpentine, gallons 13,000,000 Rosin, barrels 1,500,000 Lumber products $13,000,000 Phosphate, tons mined 1,400,000 Teachers in public schools 3,362 Pupils enrolled 130,000 Percentage of male teachers 23.3 Average monthly salary of men teachers $54.88 Average monthly salary of women teachers $37.81 Average annual expenditure per pupil $14.92 See Everglades ; De Soto ; Seminoles ; St. Augustine; Ponce De Leon ; Osceola ; Alligator ; Key West ; Pineapple 2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about race that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: BR 2026-07-22) 2026 Editor's Note: The Florida here is empty and about to be invented: Flagler's over-sea railroad to Key West was under construction (finished 1912), and the land booms, Miami and the retirees all lay ahead. See Flagler's railroad . (Ed: BR 2026-07-12)