Elizabeth SAUNDERS arrived at central Florida in 1887 a Widow,
coming from Toronto, Canada with her two sons, John and Thomas. John’s health
had been declining, and as Orange County was marketing itself a perfect
location for “invalids,”
Elizabeth brought her sick boy to live “amongst the
fruits, health and wealth” of a #cflParadise. She bought 159 of a 160 acre existing
homestead in north Orange (now Seminole) County. Elizabeth’s new property had already
been platted as the town of HOOSIER SPRINGS, with only 1 acre set aside for use
a Chapel.
Under Elizabeth’s ownership, the struggling start-up town merged with
nearby ALTAMONT (no E). In 1890, her town by then being served by two
railroads, the place name changed to PALM SPRINGS. Widow Saunders sold one lot alongside
Florida Midland RR’s track to William Massey, and within a year, Elizabeth
married the lot owner. Within another year, Elizabeth was again a widow.
“There were a few women who braved the hard life incident to
the up-building of the county,” said William F. Blackman, Rollins College
President & Historian, “among these is Mrs. Saunders-Massey. But truth is,
there were more than a “few women,” as this special March series will attest.
Hoosier Springs later became Sanlando Springs.
PALM SPRINGS, and a hundred towns like it, failed following
back-to-back calamities of 1887 and 1895. Widow Elizabeth Saunders-Massey moved
a bit further south, to Maitland, on land overlooking: “The Three Graces;
Lakes: Faith, Hope & Charity.”
Elizabeth, a 19th century town
builder, and her short-lived Palm Springs, are featured in: CitrusLAND: Ghost
Towns & Phantom Trains. A journey aboard the train save by #MrEdwardT stops at the Altamont-Palm Springs station.
Tomorrow: Lady Isaphoenia of #Oakland
Central Florida History by Richard Lee Cronin
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