On Christmas Day of 1896, the "Milton Journal" printed a long article on the advantages of moving to Santa Rosa County and settling down for a peaceful and prosperous life. All of the virtues of such a move were laid out in detail for any and all to see and consider. One I found inviting myself was that "mosquitoes were not numerous." The article was put out by the editors Irving Benjamin "I.B." Hilson (1864-1936) and H. H. Hall and produced in the upstairs of Keyser's old office for the price of one-year subscription for only $1.00. The two men wanted to present an image that Santa Rosa was a growing community and offered abundant resources for those that wished to improve their position in life. They outlined the small communities that needed more settlers such as: Milton (1,500), Bagdad (1,400), Berrydale (400), Galt (650) located west of where the county dump is today), Milligan (1,400), Otalite (640), Blackman (63), Oak Grove (600), Dixon (620), Chumuckla (1,400), Cora (625), Santa Rosa Park (200), and Mary Esther (200).
They even presented an excellent portrait of our "lack" of snakes and insects! Flowery words such as "Poisonous snakes are scarce. Now and again a rattlesnake and around the water, heads the moccasin. INSECTS ARE SCARCE. At certain times of the year we have the flea, which disappears when the hogs and goats are kept within bounds. Mosquitoes are NOT numerous. Flies are not here in sufficient numbers to worry the housewife to any extent. No screens for doors and windows are used. There are no tarantulas or centipedes." Ever, the abundance of crops and livestock were offered as enticement with a hint of "little work" needed to be successful. And the prospective mothers of small children were told that there was "less sickness" here at a time when death among children was so prevalent! They even went so far as to advertise for immigrants to please come in and help settle the county. Over the next several weeks we'll be able to catch a small glimpse of what it was like to live here in 1896, and who were the influential people that made Santa Rosa County what it is today!
The Milton Journal staff of 1896
Irving Benjamin Hilson (1864-1936)
Milton Journal Editor 1896
Population by community of Santa Rosa County in 1896
Insects and reptiles scarce 1896
Livestock, crops, and lack of sickness 1896
Advertisement for Immigrants 1896
The 1896 dream of a home for every
family and a chicken in every pot!