SOUTHWESTERN PINE HILLS. 75 



in Florida, as the names indicate, and if the population south 

 of the State line was counted in it would swell the figures 

 considerably. 



Nearly all of these towns have a neat and prosperous 

 appearance, owing largely to their comparative newness, 

 and are supplied with electric lights, waterworks, banks, 

 newspapers, etc. Brewton was once (and may be yet) re- 

 puted to be the richest town of its size in the State. Its 

 wealth has sprung mostly from the lumber business. Fair- 

 hope, founded in 1894 by some Socialists and single-taxers 

 from Iowa, has prospered greatly, and is said to be the most 

 noted single-tax colony in the world. Besides the agricul- 

 tural interests in the vicinity, it is beautifully located on a 

 40-foot bluff overlooking Mobile Bay, and is a popular sum- 



FIG. 23. Comparatively new farm-house about two miles north- 

 west of Bay Minette, with water-tank supplied by a gasoline engine, 

 sweet potato field in foreground, and bananas near the house. Octo- 

 ber 31, 1919. 



mer resort for Mobile people and a winter resort for north- 

 ern people. Mobile has the usual industries and attractions 

 of a seaport of that size, together with a balmy climate that 

 makes it a favorite winter resort. The recent world war 

 greatly stimulated the shipbuilding industry there. 



Besides the well-developed towns, there are quite a num- 

 ber of interesting colonies of foreigners which may ulti- 

 mately become important municipalities. Nearly all of 

 these are in the southern half of Baldwin County, and their 

 interests are mainly agricultural. One of the oldest and 



