FOR SALE BY T. ELL-WOOD ZELL, R. G. ROBINSON, Philadelphia, Pa, tQQi- Zellwood, Fla. 1885, I irrrmiiniiTiniiiriMin •■"^MnaiMnufiEsaaaaM* FLORIDA } » ORANGE COUNTY Sllwood -«WITH*MAPS*AND*ILLUSTRATIONSe^ PRI6E 25 eE^|■'^„,%y FOR SALE BY T, ELLWOOD ZELL, R, G F^OBIJ^JSOJM, Philadelphia, Py\. Zellwood, Fla. 1S85_ IMPRIMIS. If the following pages need an apology — the fact that they are intended chiefly to advertise a locality may suffice. The writer trusts, however, that what is said relative to the advantages and attractions of South Florida may be borne out by the experience of other residents, and be realized by visitors. Of a place so different in all respects from other parts of the United States, it is difficult in fact to give a satis- factory idea. It is not a paradise ; it is not without draw- backs. The majority of those who have come to Orange County have succeeded and done well ; some have failed. It is so always. In coming, some will have every expecta- tion realized, others will be disappointed. As a rule, and on first glance, Florida does disappoint. It fails to realize always the imaginative picture. But it improves on acquaint- ance ; it grows on one ; and those who know it best, who have lived in it longest, are generally its most enthusiastic advocates. R. G. Robinson. Accompanying this pamphlet are to be found : ist : A carefully prepared map of Florida, printed in colors. 2nd : A map of the Lake Region of Orange County, Florida, locating Zellwood, and its surroundings for several miles. 3rd : A plot of the settlement of Zellwood. 4th : A few illustrations of the improvements recently made at Zellwood, together with some cuts of the Scenery and Lake Views. All of these maps, &c., have been carefully prepared for this pamphlet. The views are photo-engraved by the new process of Mr. Louis Husson, of Philadelphia. The pamphlet will be mailed upon receipt of 25 cents by addressing either T. Ellwood, Zell, Philadelphia, Pa. or R. G. Robinson, Zellwood, Flor. "T:::o~irrrsi^s^=^~F 2ELLW00D|t ORANGE COUNTY. FLA. Cuf e i "by perrnissioi] ot Mr J A Macdonatti SCALE LJ40 Acres >'* mile square I — t_iL,,t =«J^w« n ^,»»Rail Road in onereti .. rfiarteredopp-flp&Mxi ZELLWOOD, Orange County, Florida The name of Florida recalls old time pictures representing a 'land of flowers,' it is true, and of wonderful verdure ; but, nevertheless, a land of swamps ; of rank and pestilent fens and marshes ; the home of reptiles, and noxious insects ; the breeding place of malaria ; the brewing ground of fierce tor- nadoes. To this picture — so unattractive and untrue, it is not necessary now — thanks to abundant evidence — to enter even a protest. But the question is still asked: — How can Florida be the reverse of these representations and yet have remained undiscovered, as it were, for over three hundred years ? It is not necessary to recall the pertinent reasons in Florida's history ; its possession by Spain ; its frequent changes of ownership ; its long and sanguinary Indian wars. These would sufficiently answer the question ; but argument, theory, and historical research are not needed. Florida is no longer unexplored, and knowledge of it dependent on conjecture. Why the truth was not discovered earlier mat- ters little if only the present representations be true ; and that they are true is evidenced by thousands of intelligent 6 ZELLWOOD. people from all parts of the United States who have settled in Florida during the last fifteen years, and who, speaking from every section of the State, tell of a wonderful climate, singular healthfulness, and great resources. It is strange that all this was not discovered years ago ; that the hardy pioneers of America should have struggled with ice and snow, and inhospitable seasons, when at their very doors lay a land bathed in the softest sunlight, an Italy in fact ; but truer to fancied ideas of what Italy ought to be in climate than is Italy itself. But the strangest things are sometimes the truest. To know and appreciate Florida something more is neces- sary than a superficial glance — a trip up the St. John's, or an excursion to Silver Springs. There are low lands in Florida, and swamps and everglades, and jungles of rank and tangled vegetation. There are wonderfully fertile spots; and sterile ones. There are places where it is unhealthy ; where malaria does exist ; where insects are numerous and troublesome. These can be, and are, avoided. They are the most common along the water courses and usual routes of steamboat and tourist travel, and in times past gave an idea that embraced all the state, particularly ' South Florida.' But a large portion of the state not immediately on the water courses is the very reverse. There are large areas of elevated table lands, perfectly healthy, affording beautiful sites for residences, where all the conditions of life are pleasant ; lands easy to get into cultivation, and which, though not naturally as fertile as the heavier lands farther north, respond wonderfully to judicious treatment ; and on which fruit and vegetable culture can be, and is made very profitable. ZELLWOOD. 7 Northern emigration to Florida commenced about 1870, and has steadily increased as a knowledge of its healthful- ness and resources has been more generally diffused. Each year has brought and increased the number of visitors and settlers. The population of the counties of South Florida has doubled and quadrupled, and is still steadily and rapidly increasing. In all of them can be found desirable locations. Early in this movement southward ORANGE COUNTY attracted attention, and in rapid increase of population and development has outstripped her sister counties, and is to-day in advancement, progress, and prosperity the " Ban- ner County " of South Florida. This is due partly to location, partly to accessibility by the St. John's and Ocklawaha Rivers before the advent of railroads, partly to the push and energy of enterprising men who early discovered its desirability; and, largely, to its topography, attractions, and general advantages. In location Orange County is nearly midway between the Gulf and Ocean, and below the usual line of injurious frosts. It embraces nearly all the varieties of location and soil to be found in South Florida. If there are swamps and morasses, there are large areas of high rolling land. If there are un- healthy spots — there are large areas, the health of which, at all seasons, winter or summer, is proven by hundreds of permanent residents from the North. The most desirable, picturesque, and beautiful locations in South Florida are to be found in what is known as the ' Lake Region ' of Orange County. A region of high lands, with deep basins and numerous clear water lakes, making a 8 ZELLWOOD. pleasant break in the monotony of the ' Piney woods,' and affording deUghtful facihties for boating, bathing and fishing. To every good class of citizens, Orange County offers some attraction and advantage. Laborers are in demand at good wages ; carpenters and house builders find all they can do ; fruit and vegetable growing is successful and profit, able ; men with means can make delightful homes — either permanent or for the winter — with pleasant social surround- ings ; capitalists can find profitable investments in land or in productive Orange Groves ; and, above all, its genial and healthful climate offers a haven and refuge to those who cannot endure the severity of northern winters. Evidences of material success and prosperity may be seen in all parts of the county. There are new houses, and villages, and towns ; there are new churches, and schools, and post offices ; eight newspapers are published ; two rail- roads are finished, several are being built ; the forest is rapidly giving way to orange groves and gardens ; and each passing month brings numerous accessions to the number of permanent residents. For winter residences, for homes, for beauty of location combined with healthfulness, for orange groves and horti- cultural pursuits generally, no part of South Florida offers greater advantages than Orange County ; and in all these no part of Orange County is more attractive than Zellwood and the surrounding country. ZELLWOOD is situated in the ' Lake Region ' of ' West Orange,' on high, rolling land, of proven healthfulness and tested adaptability to suit tropical fruit and vegetable culture. The native ZELLWOOD. 9 growth of timber is pine — open ' Piney woods '; — the soil is sandy, compact, dark grey, and underlaid with clay. This*section heretofore, owing to the lack of transporta- tion facilities, has been inaccessible; but nevertheless has been appreciated and valued by those who, on account of natural advantages and attractions, have made homes in the neighborhood. The Tavares, Orlando and Atlantic R. R. — standard guage — now in process of construction, will soon give all rail northern connections. The ' right of way ' has been cut out for miles beyond Zellwood ; the cross ties are all made ; the graded road bed is finished to within a short distance, and it is probable the- road will be in operation from Tavares to Zellwood by ist of November. Zellwood is also on the line of the Florida Midland R. R., the early construction of which is probable, as the road is surveyed, located, and the right of way secured. The lands contiguous to the proposed depot site, and around the beautiful little Lakes Maggiore and Minore have been divided into lots. These embrace locations suitable for residences, orange groves, and market gardening. Lakes Maggiore and Minore are small but picturesque ; irregular in outline, with deep, clear, and remarkably pure water. Along the west margin of Maggiore, on the property of Col. T. Ellwood Zell, space for a public park is reserved, and the land immediately fronting this has been divided into small lots especially suited for residences for those who may not care to make orange groves. When desired, how- ever, additional land close by can be had for groves or gardens. Except for the ' water view ' land not immediately on the lO ZELLWOOD. lake is just as desirable, and may be had in lots of from one tD ten acres, with ample room for buildings, fruit and vege- table gardens, &c. Persons coming to Florida with a view of making homes, winter residences, orange groves, or investments, will not find it ' time lost ' to visit Zellwood before making a selec- tion. Until the completion of the T. O. & A. R. R. it may be reached as heretofore, by steamer from Jacksonville to Astor, thence by the St. John's and Lake Eustis R. R., to Eustis, thence, ten miles, by private conveyance. Or by continuing on the St. J. & L. E. R. R. to Tavares, thence by steamer to Tangerine, thence, three miles, by private convey- ance to Zellwood, where comfortable accommodations can be obtained. THE PRICE OF LAND. There is no standard of price in the county or in any neighborhood, and it may be said to range from five dollars to three hundred dollars an acre, owing to location, and to causes which go to influence one in purchasing a small lot for a home or on which to make valuable improvements. The land at five dollars may be just as good, perhaps better, in quality than that at three hundred, but the value of the latter is determined by conditions other than merely what it will produce in corn or cotton. It is an every day occurrence that five hundred dollars more or less is paid for a lot in some particular neighborhood, when the same amount of land, in every way as good, could be had at one tenth the price a few miles away. In brief — this is not a farming or agricultural country in the sense the terms are ordinarily used. A lot of one to ten ZELLWOOD. I I acres is as much as is needed in almost any case, and just where this is located as regards neighbors, society, churches, schools, transportation, &c., is of more importance than a hundred dollars, more or less, in cost. Hence it is true that almost every particular lot in any neighborhood is valued on account of considerations peculiar to itself — and is governed by a local scale of prices based on real or fancied attractions and advantages. Since 1880 the price of land in Orange County has steadily increased, and the tendency is still upward. The price of land in the vicinity of Zellwood, and the lots shown on the accompanying map, will be given on application. RECAPITULATION AND BRIEF ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FRE- QUENTLY ASKED. Florida ? Is attractive on account of its climate, capa- bilities, and its wide range of natural productions. Orange County ? Is attractive on account of its loca- tion in the Peninsula of Florida ; its exemption from all epi- demic diseases ; its uniform healthfulness ; its active, intelli- gent, law-abiding population ; and the success and profit at- tending semi-tropical horticulture, Zellwood ? Is attractive on account of its location in the beautiful ' Lake Region ' of Orange County ; the beauty elevation, and general good quality of the surrounding country ; the proven healthfulness of the location, and its adaptability to the successful growth of semi-tropical fruits. The chief industry ? Orange growing. The chief products ? Fruits and vegetables. Of fruits: the orange, lemon, Ume, citron, grape fruit, pine apple, 1 2 ZELLWOOD. banana, fig, Japan plum, Japanese persimmon, LeConte pear, Chinese peach, Chinese cherry, guava, strawberry, blackberry, melons, etc.; of vegetables: potatoes, (both sweet and white,) beans, peas, tomatoes, cabbage, turnips, cucum- bers, nearly every kind of vegetable grown at the north. Of field crops? Sugar cane, corn, cotton, rice, casava, sweet potatoes, cow peas. Climate ? Temperate, with no extremes either of heat or cold. The summers, tempered by sea breezes, pleasant, and preferred by many of the old residents to the winters. Vegetation green all the year, and the seasons merge imper- ceptibly one into another. Healthfulness? Nearly perfect, no epidemic diseases, yellow fever unknown. Northern people can come with entire safety at any season of the year. Snakes? Not many that are hurtful; not many of any kind ; not as many of all kinds as may be found in most of the Middle States. Alligators ? Quite numerous ; ugly but not dangerous ; rather attractive as a distinctive feature in Florida land- scapes. Insects ? Mosquitoes, troublesome for a few months in summer, but not more so than in many places at the north; house flies, hardly so troublesome as in the north ; fleas, troublesome where hogs and dogs have the run ; sandflies, none ; black gnats and horse flies annoying in the summer. Population ^///^^ r'? In 1870 — 2,195. In 1880 — 6,616. Now, variously estimated at ten to fifteen thousand. Chiefly white. Drinking water ? From springs, lakes, and wells, soft and pure. Wells from 20 to 40 feet deep. ZELLWOOD. 13 Timber ? Chiefly pine. Hummock of hard wood — oak, hickory, gum, magnolia, bay, etc. Soil ? A sandy loam— varying greatly in fertility. The hammock land is in general fertile and productive. The pine land — whether for fruits or vegetables — requires fertil- izers, but respond promptly and liberally to fair treatment, and gives good returns for the money invested. Building Materials? Rough lumber, $14 per thousand feet; dressed, $17 to $22 ; shingles, $4.50 to $6 ; brick, $10 per thousand. Buildings generally frame with shingle roof. Labor? Unskilled, $1.25 to $1.50 per day; skilled, $2 to $3. Poultry ? Chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls do well. Orange Groves' success, cost, value, etc. ? That success is readily attainable is proved by many successful groves in Orange County; that it is profitable is proved by profitable groves; and that it is believed in as an investment is proved by the large amount of money now being placed in that way. The requisites are : experience in the work, suitable land and location, careful cultivation, and sufficient fertili- zers. A bearing grove can be made in four to five years; a self-sustaining grove in five to six years ; a profitable grove in six to seven years, and this certainly; but an expenditure bearing some proportion to the results achieved is necessary. An orange grove is no exception to the rule — " that all valuable things cost some equivalent in time, labor, or money." THE COST Of making a grove depends, primarily, upon the price of land, nursery trees, labor, etc., and, subsequently, upon the individual views and experience of the maker, and whether 14 ZELLWOOD. he is richest in time and patience, or money. No estimate can be more than approximate, and in making one the ground should be covered to the extent of all probable necessary expenditures. To attempt making a grove on an insufficient calculation, with insufficient cultivation and fer- tilizers is simply a waste of time and money. The question is not " how much will keep trees alive ?" but, " how much will it pay to give ?" To clear pine land, including removal of stumps, costs $25 to $50 per acre, owing to stand of tim- ber; to fence it, $10 to $20 per acre; nursery trees are worth 40c to 75c each; labor $1.50 per day. How much can be profitably spent in cultivation and fertilizers is an open question. A very little will keep trees alive, and, to some extent, growing, a great deal may be given without reaching the limit of profitable and judicious expenditure. VALUE. An orange tree (budded) should yield, five years after planting, 25 to 100 oranges; six years, 50 to 200; seven years, 100 to 300 ; eight years, 200 to 500 ; nine years, 300 to 700; ten years, 500 to 1,000. (This estimate is within the limit of reasonable probability ; the possibility is greater.) The maximum of yield is probably not reached under 100 years. After the tenth year, ten to twenty per cent, of the yearly income should be sufficient to keep the grove in good condition. A 5deld of 500 oranges, ten years after planting, at $15 per 1,000, would represent ten per cent, on a valua- tion of $75 per tree, or $4,875 on an acre of 65 trees. There are groves in the county which pay ten per cent, on a valuation of $200 per tree, and single trees that pay ten per cent, on a valuation of $600. ZELLWOOD. 15 AS AN INVESTMENT, An orange grove is attractive ; first, because if properly man- aged, and in good location, success is reasonably certain. Second, because it is an investment in real property valuable at all times. Third, because once successfully made it will yield a large and increasing dividend on the amount in- vested — and fourth, because as an adjunct to a home or winter residence in " Sunland " it can be made a reliable source of income and revenue. New residents, as an investment, or in preparation for a future home, can have orange groves planted and cultivated for them. Plants, terms, etc., will be furnished on applica- tion. Personal inspection of the advantages of Zellwood is cor- dially invited. Visitors will be shown lands free of expense, and the writer will take pleasure in extending every courtesy in his power. Letters of inquiry containing a stamp will be promptly answered. Address : R. G. ROBINSON, Zellwood, Orange County, Florida. *^* See ilhistrations of improvements recently made at Zellwood, Map of Florida, of the Lake Region of Orange County, aaid plot of Zellwood appended to this pamphlet. From the ARMY AND NAVY JOURNAL, New York. From the orange groves of Florida comes the information that amongst them, near Zellwood, is gradually forming a colony of Army and ex-Army officers. Lieutenant Chas. Sellmer, 3d Artillery, has two groves of 15 acres, and is residing in them at present with his family, being on leave from San Antonio. Lieut. G. T. Bartlett, 3d Artillery, has 1 2 acres under way. Capt. Foote, 8th Cavalry, is negotia- ting for 20 acres. Capt. Tiernon, 3d Artillery, has an interest in a grove of 160 acres. Lieut. Shunk, 8th Cavalry, is about to invest in a grove. Colonels Hazard, Norton, and others have groves in the vicinity of Zellwood. Surgeon Charles B. Byrne, U. S. A., has a few groves and some land at Eustis and Fort Mason, 12 miles from Zellwood. The location is described as beautiful and healthy, and all that can be desired as a pleasant retreat when the cares of active service have been laid aside forever. The officers we have referred to are now uniting in the chorus : "Yes, sing the song of the orange tree. With its leaves of velvet green, With its luscious fruit of sunset hue, The fairest that ever was seen. The grape may have its bacchanal verse, To praise the fig we are free, But homage I pay to the queen of all, The glorious orange tree. Among the early settlers of Zellwood some seven years ago, was our esteemed friend. Colonel T. Ellwood Zell, publisher, of Philadelphia, who has a bearing grove of orange and lemon trees, and other attractive improvements here. Last winter the Colonel erected one of the prettiest, most sub- stantial and costliest homes in the county. Col. Zell was one of the founders and the first Commander of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion now commanded by General Hancock. — Ed. of The Month, New York. T.KUA«)OD»ELL.PVBUSHER.PMnjU)KLPHU A 6 YEARS OLD ORANGE GROVE, ZELLWOOD. FLA. i^ 1!^''^ iRinjr^ r^ M^: Vv* /'' . '■ " '* IB' l'.«.J 'it' m m ^ f SUNSET ON LAKE MAGGIORE. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS >^.. 014 433 860 1 #