The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-22
AT THE SEASIDE.
"A Dny's SCjOurn at Atlantic City
The Opening Of the Excursion
season and of the New Excur-
sion House.
rom Our Olcn Correspondent.

To-day has witnessed the formal Inauguration
of the season of 1869 at this seaside resort by
an excu rsion over the Camden and Atlantic
Railroad under the auspices of the officers of
the company. Those who were invited to par
ticipate in the excursion assembled at the Vine
street ferry at o'clock this morning. to the
number of about one hundred and sixty, the
party comprising representatives of the Phila.
delphia newspapers prominent railroad officials,
and gentlemen in other and varied walks Of life.
About a quarter past o'clock the train left
Camden, under the management of Mr.. II.
Whiteman Secretary, and Mr.. David H. Mum
day, General Superintendent of the road, and
proceeded through to the seaside in about two
hours, the tedium of the journey being relieved
by the performances of the band of Carncross
& Dixey's Opera House, which is to be perma-
nently located at the new Excursion House du-
ring the summer. The engine "Curlew," which
drew the train, was elaboratey decorated with
flags, this circumstances added to the music, at
tracing considerable attention in all the towns
and hamlets on the route.
Arrived at the seaside, a large number of the
excursionists paused not until they were in the
embrace of the ocean. The day has been most
delightful one, the heavy rain of last evening
having served to moderate the temperature to a
point within the bounds of endurance. Yet the
water was warm as could be desired, and
when the first chill had been driven from ones
bones by the breaking waters this initial bath
impaired all the vigor and newness of life which
is within its gift. Those who preferred dry land
to wrestle with the breakers are employing
their time in strolling about the town and in
specting the new Excursion House until the
dinner hour. At o'clock we sit down to
banquet in the dining-room of the new EXcur-
sion House, which will be rounded off by
speeches. At or about o'clock the whole party
will start on the homeward journey, each and
all well satisfied with the days disposition, saw
Ing that like all other days of unalloyed delight
ii must come to an end before mans capacity
for enjoyment is fairly exhausted.
The new Excursion House, in the spacious
hall of which we are soon to dine, supplies a
need which has long been felt at this resort.
Atlantic City is so near Philadelphia, and so ac-
cessibe to its people, that it must always remain,
as 1t has always been, exceedingly popular with
that class of our community which can afford to
take only single day here and there during the
summer for resort to the seaside. Heretofore
there has been one great drawback to their
thorough enjoyment of such passing episodes.
The burning sands of the ocean shore have been
their only refuge. During the height of the
season all the hotels are crowded with perma-
nent guests, leaving but little chance for even
those who are willing to intrude upon them.
Now, however, they are possessed of refuge
of their own ample, commodious, and attractive.
The Sea View Excursion House, as it is called,
stands close to the beach, at the distance of
about quarter of a mile below the Surf House,
commanding fine and unobstructed view of
the ocean, and receiving the full benefit of the
;p1yi 4
erected by a company chartered for this espe-
cial purpose by the Legislature of New Jersey,
the Camden and Atlantic Railroad Company,
in its corporate capacity, owning a large share
of the stock. The building cost about $50000
and every dollar has been well spent, as it is
certainly one of the largest and neatest institu-
tions of the kind to be found in the country.
The main building has frontage on the ocean
of nearly two hundred feet, with side front
upon the railroad of almost equal proportions.
1t is three stories in height, and is surmounted
by a handsome tower, eighteen feet square, i'm
medately over the main entrance, which is
upon the railroad front. The entire ocean front,
and a portion of the other, is surrounded by
wide and spacious verandahs, on the
level of both the first and second floors, afford
ing ample room for the shelter in full view of
the ocean, of hundreds of people. Extending
the whole length of the building, from the
main entrance, is hall fifteen feet in width.
On the right are the reception-r9oms and offices,
and on the left is the dining-hall and ballroom,
separated by q screen into two compartments.
The entire length is 1913 feet the width rs feet
and the height % feet, clear OF all the compli-
Gated and ornamental work which supports
the roof. When the partitions are removed,
there is room for seating twelve hundred guests
at table, and five hundred can partake of din
ner. Hundreds are engaged in the pleasures of
the dance. Beyond the dining-hall and ball
room are the restaurant, kitchen, and
store-rooms, all of ample size and
attractive arrangement. Below these are
the cellars, and above them the servants quar-
ters. On the second floor are an elegantly fur
nished parlor, 36 feet square, private dining
room Is by 40 feet in dimensions, a billiard
room 40 feet square, and several large chambers.
On the third floor are fifteen fine large double
chambers, and in the tower above are two
Others. Altogether the building is exceedingly
attractive and will serve to render Atlantic City
even more popular in the future than it has been
in the past The establishment is under the
superintendence of Mr.. S. c. Konigmacher, d
young gentleman who has enjoyed long anG
varied experience, and is in every way fully
qualified to contribute to the success of the en-
terprise.
The new Excursion House is now permanently
open for the summer, and within week all the
Old-established hotels on the island will have
thrown open their doors. On Saturday next
the Surf House and the United States Hotel vii