Eric Musgrove
Contributor
In my research, it is interesting to find period articles dealing with Suwannee County and the surrounding area. Today, we have television, the internet, and a host of other media that allow us to instantaneously transmit information on a particular subject around the world. Nearly 135 years ago, such was not the case. Sure, there were some telegraph and telephone lines in the more populated areas, but unless you were in a very large city (i.e., New York City, Philadelphia, Boston), you couldn't just go down to your local chamber of commerce to get information on businesses, recreational facilities, etc. Instead, much information was published and distributed in book form.
Travel guides were one such book form that has persisted even into modern times. In 1891, a book entitled "Summer in the Winter Time" was published by the Ocean Steamship Company (aka, "The Savannah Line"). It was geared primarily to Northerners who wished to travel into the Deep South for the milder winters there. These "snowbirds," as we call them today, used this book as a guide to what was available in Southern communities. Several Suwannee County communities were mentioned, many of which no longer exist. Such travel guides give us a wealth of information regarding the businesses, population and general accessibility (especially by railroad) about these places, and even tell you who had the most information on the subject. The following paragraphs are quotes from the book; you will notice that it spells Suwannee with only one "n"; this was a common variation of the name up to the 20th Century. My own notes for clarification will be italicized in parentheses.
"Branford (or New Branford), Suwanee Co., Florida – Station on S. F., & W. Ry (Savannah, Florida & Western Railway, EM) from Savannah, Ga. Direct; population, 500; money-order office; Southern Express Co.; telegraph; good drives; boating, hunting, and fishing. D. E. Horn or Ivey Bros. & Co. will give information. Branford House – Mrs. J. H. Horn, Proprietor. Accommodates 20; $2 to $3 per day, $7 to $10 per week, $20 per month.
"Emerson, Suwanee Co., Florida – Nine miles from Branford; population of community, 100. A. J. Futch will give information. Futch House – Mrs. A. J. Futch, Proprietor. Near, accommodates 25; $1 per day, $4 per week.
"Grover, Suwanee Co., Florida – On Suwanee River, 11 miles from Live Oak. J. R. Melks will give information.
"Live Oak, Suwanee Co., Florida – Station on the S., F. & W., direct from Savannah, also on the Western Division of the F. C. & P. R. R. (Florida Central & Peninsular Railroad, EM); population of community, 3000; money-order, telegraph, and Southern Express Co.'s office; high, healthy, and shady; fine churches, high-school; no bar-rooms. C. H. McGehee, Agent, F. C. & P. R. R., and J. C. Little, Agent, S. F. & W. Ry., will give information. Ethel House – B. B. Blackwell, Proprietor. $1 to $2 per day, $5 to $12 per week, $15 to $40 per month. Live Oak House – J. W. Kennedy, Proprietor. $1 to $2 per day, $5 to $12 per week, $15 to $40 per month.
"McAlpin, Suwanee Co., Florida – On the S., F. & W. R. R.; population of the community, 200; 12 miles from Live Oak. J. N. Altman will give information.
"O'Brien or O'Brine, Suwanee Co., Florida – Station on the S., F. & W. Ry., 5 miles from Branford. W. F. Shepherd will give information.
"Suwanee (Suwannee Springs, EM), Suwanee Co., Florida – Station on the S. F., & W. Ry., direct from Savannah; population of the community, 200; 7 miles from Live Oak; the location of one of the largest Sulphur springs; a great health resort, in both summer and winter; spring flows 45,000 gallons per minute; telegraph and Southern Express Co.'s office. Suwannee Sulphur Springs Hotel – H. Peek, Proprietor. One mile from the station by street car; accommodates 200; $2.50 to $4 per day, $15 to $21 per week, $50 to $70 per month.
"Suwanee River – This river, being celebrated in song, must not be omitted.
"'Away down on the Suwanee River, Far, far away, There's where my heart is turning ever; There's where the old folks stay.' "One of the largest rivers south-east of the
Mississippi, empties into the Gulf of Mexico 12 miles north-west of Cedar Key. Steamers make regular trips on this river between Cedar Key and Luraville from the islands of the Cedar Key group, in the Gulf, to the head of navigation, connecting with the F. C. & P. Ry at Cedar Key, and the S. F. & W. at Branford. The scenery is beautiful. J. O. Andrews, General Passenger Agent, Cedar Key, Florida, will cheerfully give information."
Next week, we'll discuss more of our county's history.
Eric Musgrove can be reached at ericm@suwgov.org or (386) 362-0564.