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)/ Times-Unión
,. December 10,1937
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PICTURESQUE MIDDLEBURGf-^^f , >C X rfouSU^C ¿SU*
Hesidents of Jacksonville and vicinity sometimes hear references
to Middleburg as being a place of much historical interest. Some of
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them have been lured there by afternoon moter trips to confirm the
stories they have heard, but it has remained for Mrs. R. C. Haddon,
post-mistress of the place, to give a word picture of interest to all
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whe would know more about Florida. Here is what Mrs. Haddon has to
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say on the subject of Middleburg:
"In checking up on us, I find within a radius of a mile of the
postoffice there are 120 residents, in 37 homes. Of these homes,
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five are occupied by widows only-one in each of four, and three in
one. There are children and young people in only 16 of these homes.
"There are 15 widows, three widowers, one bachelor and two elder¬
ly maiden ladies. Fifteen homes are occupied by elderly couples only.
"At a glance it would seem it isn’t very healthful for men; not
many live beyond the age of 75 or 80.
"17e are old in other ways too. The old Methodist Church, built
with hand-planed lumber 90 years ago, is believed to be the oldest
Protestant Church building in constant use in the state, ft is in
perfect condition, dressed up in its old age with electric lights
and paint.
"The old residence known as the Chalker home, recently reno¬
vated by the present owner, was constructed during/the Second Semi-