The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-01
TIL + Il u II F.
SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE HERALD.
Grand Opening and inauguration Of the Mar
ragansett Park, Mt Crnnston, X. I.
PROVIDENCE, r. l., July 81, 1857

lies Providence and neghborhood being represented
very large number Of ladies' were The grand stand
and added much TO the attractive appearance Of the
course. Tho races, Of which there two 10 take
place, were announced at two O'Clock, and
for couple Of hours before that time every Of
convey to the Park crowded. and hundreds Of
private teams filled all the roads 10 the village
Of Cranston while hundreds took the foot conveyance
DESCRIPTION OF The PARK, STANDS, ETC.
The splendid and costly amphiteatre erected in Grams
ton by Colonel Amasa sprague for the enjoyment Of
equine sports will give new stimulus 70 the caltiva
ton Of these pursuits this vicinity and viii be the
ne OF giving our citizens frequent opportuni-
ties Of seeing the best horses and the best
racing OF the country. The grounds are situated
between the Hartford Railroad and the Paw
tuxe and Knightsve road, bordering closely on the
latter three miles from the city and threequarters Of
milo of the Print Works. and about
q quarter OF milo sorthweserly from tho new village
They accessible either by the steam cars, which
within few rods of the north side OF the enclosure by
the Cranson horse cars which directly to the gate
or by two excellent carriage roads
The track itself is sixty feet in width, and exactly
mile long. Every foot Of the Cranston track is made
with sub-son, and carefully worked upon until n
pathway for nimblc steeds, It be surpassed
moved, and the space filed with sub soil, winch Is
graded, rolled and scraped TO perfect evenness Great
expense has been incurred in getting the best earth for
top dressing and the loan has, in instances, been
brought from distance Of miles, The ground is en-
closed with close board fence planed both sides
capped, tonguod and grooved twelve feet high, and
painted some tons of paint were required cover it.
There crsvices to assist one in playing the spy
aud enable him TO steal the time OF horses on their pr
vate trials There Is such fence surrounding any
course in America 1t is sxty.fve hundred feet in
length, and encloses some ninety acres OF land. Six
teams be driven abreast upon the track without In
venence Taking birds eye view Of the track ii
appears eptical in form. The largest axis Is 1904
fes and the shortest s204 The inside area Is thirty
and three quarter acres. Tho track is raised Eve
inches in the GENRE and sants in both directions from
The crown that the rain water runs into the cutters
nding it, and Is conducted into large stone cul
vert 1t remains hard and free from puddles after
shower The raised very high. A rain water
cistern. twenty five feet long and fifteen feet deep Is
ructed the grand stand. ve grand stand Ia
massive and imposing building. For strength OF con-
structon gacefuiness Of outline ornateness OF design
aud OF arrangement II certainly far exces
any edce in the state appropriated to purposes oil pop
ular amusement There is such structure Tor sim
every Of the five thousand spectators
the whole OF without moving from his position
or finding any obstruction IN his way II stands guar
hundred and i've at the other The main build
ing is four stories high, one hundred and eight and
half feet long and sixty feet deep, and each side
wings hundred and twelve and half feet long and
two stories high giving an entire length Of three hun
dred and twenty-five feet In the second story, which
is open TO the track are seats for Eve thousand
who will be enectuay protected from the heat rain or
dust, and enjoy unobstruced wow. The auditorium
PoaA
being partially open TO the air oil sides except where
ii joins the main building. II Is divided into two
Them and the other for gentlemen only II would be
moro proper 70 speak OF this principal auditorium
one grand building with an unoostructed range Of seats
three hundred aud twenty i've feet in length Under
this on tho first floor apartments for pool rooms
cooking rooms and various other purposes such
sion may require. Tue front Of the main building is
hundred and nine feet In length by twenty i've 10
width, and has reception and committee rooms and
n lSa Ereuc roOf Of da-
sign In the centre Of the front OF the main building
will be large covered way or port coch under which
carriages drive the entrance OF the building
allow ladies alight II will be sixteen feet hgh,
and Of original design and very ornamental construc-
and columns raised granite foundation. Over the
porte oochere will be balcony Tor speaking There
also two de entrances TO the principal building each
covered with elegant portico raised granite steps
In the tower broad hallway with double saircases
leading 70 tho upper stories Tho sarcases pspeings,
doorcasengs, &c. finished In black walnut and ash.
On the north side Is for . refroshment saloon
and on the south another OF corresponding size
private office Large closets are connected swh each
Water ia carried through the building from largo tank
in the third story In the main building, the second
story Is divided into two large rooms twenty-five by
thirty feet for gentlemen and the other for laics
These rooms are finished In ash. dressing room IS
connected with each Thoy fitted up with every
mens for the accommodation OF guests are sn-
surpassed in any private residence Occupying
tho entire , third story o. the , main ou,ld
over the centre OF the grand stand There is large
dome the centre 9th hall The rooms sre spacious
ofty aud very nicely flushed In the fourth story
large twenty six by thirty, for Colonel spragues
private ONCE, With elegantly finished dormer windows
which overlook the whole track and tho surrounding
this office TO the top OF tho The French Mansard
roof has oped The double windows have circular
roped columns Extending around the top OF the
Is an elegant balustrade. hundred people can be
easily T hrs and enjoy S sw
Bangor slate which made perfectly tgnt by layer Of
arred sheathing paper underneath The roof projects
eight feet from each Of the sides Of the building giving
more complete protection from the sun. The strength
Of the building 10 unsurpassed. In its architectural
features the building Is very ornate II decorated In
The ford French style The painting Ia mostly
German. The interior Is finished with panel work IN
natural woods, The lower stories OF the wings seen
open. In the centre OF each wing. under tho
OF the grand stand entrances leading TO the inner
he admitted !" uer.rs With he view Of .boso snovInS
the The arrangements for egress such that the
entire stand, when crowded with spectators be
Gated in ten minutes There are eight starcases lead
ing down from the spectators seats. Opposite 70 the
centre Of The grand stand Is the Judges stand which
square structure with eighteen feet sdes and wings on
each corner, seven feet BY eight The gateway Is .
very graceful and noble looking structure. There
towers on either SIDE nine feet square and twenty
thirty feet from the ground.
To the north OF The grand stand and within the on.
closure, convenient TO the track, ave carriage
houses and three s,abes These are amenta struc
lures. the former measuring each twentys by one
hundred feet With porch projecting six feet further
IN front The covered with moulded baitens
There are ten sheds each building. each entirely dis
tinct from the Others and having separate entrance.
During the Fair these sheds will be as stables for
the celebrated that will show speed upon
the track.
Outside OF the enclosure h large private barn for
the Of Colonel spragues noble while train
ING. This barn eighty feet by one hundred
and hiriy-sir ON the ground, and thirty. I've feet
high. with Two stories 10 has . hipped roof quarter
pitched II will contain twenty box stalls each pair Of
which are eighteen feet and have windows In
both ana 10 IL built most finished an
substantial manner, thoroughly planed and Traced
TRorrISo.
The 6rsi race trotst for Q purse OF 81 500, OF
which the second horse vas 70 ses $500, for stations.
mile heats best three 10 1vs There we're entries.
and six Of these came 90 the us.k They the
black, Dan Rice, entered By warren Peabody; the
brown, George Psrhen, by o ". Dimmck; the
black, Harry Clay, BY WIN. watermire: the bay, Gen.
era hcCellsn. BY Dan Mace the black, Draco Prince,
By Johe Poor. and the chestnut Bcas Burger by Hal
stead The horses irsv posoas In NE order named shs
ent On the made
Ysrs Hrs.-Aaer I've % three attempts they gos
Shs wofd sad vent sn very vsil but Paichsn broke.
losing little yet 81 the susrss he and Mcclellan
together IN sfk seconda and they vent vsy even 70