Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-12-19
LINEsLEY,s REPORT


MADE OCTOBER, 1865.
H. WARNER, ESQ.,.
Chairman Of Com. on Mansfield Road :
SIR:-l have completed the prelimina.
ry survey, commenced in the Fall of 1865,
for turnpike from the little pond near
the summit of Mount Mansfield, known
as the Lake of the Clouds. to the base
of the mountain, and respectfully submit
the following report:
In order that turnpike upon the
mountain may secure the patronage of the
public, it must have easy grades, be en-
tirely safe, and the tolls must be moder,
ate. And in order that such road may
prove profitable investment to those
who build it, it must be constructed at o
moderate cost.
These considerations | have endeavored
to keep constantly in view while making
the survey, and it is believed that if the
road be constructed. with prudence and
economy, upon the route selected, both
these objects mag be attained.
In examining with the birds eye the
topography of Mansfield, it is very appa.
rent that the most feasible route for the
proposed road lies aloug the northern and
northwestern slopes Not only are these
slopes more regular and less abrupt than
any others, but they arc also less broken
by rocky cliffs or lodges. Dense forests
of heavy maple apd birch timber are
found at much higher point upon this
than upon any other side of the noun
tain, and wherever these trees exhibit a
large and vigorous growth there will al
ways be found sufficient svil for all the
purposes of surface roadway.
AS the only Instructions given me were
to cndeavor to fnd the best route for
road pursued general direction to the
north and northwest for the reasons be-
fore stated. The Lake of the Clouds
was the only established point in the pro-
pcied road, and the survey was therefore
commenced there. Near this charming
little sheet Of water both the eastern and
western sides of the mountain are exceed.
ingly abrupt. and the survey proceeds
from the lake northcrly along the crest of
the mountain for about one-third of
mile with slightly undulating grade,
over ground that presents few obstacles
to the construction of nearly level road.
Although this portion of the road accom-
plishcs very little towards the descent of
the mountain, yet the expense of its con-
struction will by no means be entirely
lost, for as the route winds through mar
row defles around rocky poinrs from side
to side Of the mountain, the view present
ed to the traveller is one of surprising
beauty. Now the eve wanders over the
beautiful valley to the west, bounded by
Lake Champlaln aud the blue Adirondacs
in the distance, and the next moment it
gazes in wonder and delight down the
deep gorges of the Notch. aud at the Law
ish display of mountains towards the
east, with their embosomed lakes and val
eys braided with shining streams At
the distance of eighteen hundred feet
from the Lake If the Clouds" favorable
ground is found for commedcing the de-
scent of the mountain.
From this point the survey proceeds by
a winding route down the west slope of
the mountain over f vorabe ground for
about seven eighths of mile. Here
ledge of rock is crossed and some blasting
will be required. From this point the
ground continues somewhat difficult and !
broken for some four or five hundred feet.
From this point the ground is favorable
and the grade light for some eight hun,
dred feet to small pond, to which ]
the name of Eagle Lake, from
the fact that at the time first saw it,
several of these birds were lowering
around the high cliffs that overhang the
southern shore. From the shore of this
lake the view to the east is most impress.
sive A sheer precipicc of more than a
thousand feet is close in front Of us, and
as we gaze down the fearful chasm, we
see the Notch at our feet and apparently
so near that one almos. fancies he nigh t
toss pebble into its chimney. AT Eagle
Lake there is ample room for the con.
structon of house with all the out.
buildings necessary to Accommodate any
number of visitors. This is a very de
sirable location for such a house, not ouly
on account of the ample ground and the
beautiful prospect it affords, but also on
account of the abundance of fuel aud wa
ter found in the vicinity The east side
of the mountain for some distance from
this poiEt being very PERCEPTIONS, the sur.
vey necessarily follows down the western
Shape. For mile below Eagle Lake the
ground is more difficult than at any other
point, excepting perhaps few hundred
feet above the lake at the point before al
lused to. and at two OF three places in
this mile little blastingwill be rcqair.
ed. Keeping steadily towards the north
the survey passes at about mile and a
half from Eagle Lake, through deprcs,
tbn og ~