The Portland daily press., 1871-08-08
LETTER FROM WELLS BEACH.
HISTORICAL, DESCRIPTIVE AND POLITICAL.
ISLAND LEDGE HOUSE,
WELLS BEACH, Aug. Z, 1871.

ISLAND LEDGE HOUSE,
WELLS BEACH, Aug 2, 1871.
To the Editor of the Press:
PREFATORY-HISTORICAL
Somewhat weary with the monOtony of city
life and attacked with the seaside fever we
concluded to try our luck at Wells Beach, so
famous in times past and to be still more so in
times TO come-and near at hand too.
The historic rec )rds and "reminiscences of
Wells are many and interesting, beginning
with the early settlement by Rev. John
Wheelwright snd others about 1910, including
the trials and endurances of the people during
the French and Indian wars, tracing the
course of years, up to the revolution, showing
how old Wells was true to the patriotic senti-
ment of the times-but we .orbear. 1t is the
present with which we would deal, giving
brief account of the attractions natural and &C.
qaired of this glorious summer resort.
ON THE WAY.
We left Portland Saturday afternoon by reg
ular train over the p. S. & P. road. The fore
noon as you know had been sizzling hot but
in the afternoon one of Portland's peculiar
dpu WCIComC uiCosihSo was NouCuSdlcu~d re-
freshing breeze from the southwest-re nder-
ing it cooler and comfortable. The cars were
well filed, for Saturday is grand travelling
day-husbands busy during the week in the
prCsaic toll of business, without tho sweet
companionship of their families hieing to the
seaside, the country the mountain-to OBJ
tain Sabbath rest on some soothing and Sc
questered spot, where Nature is king and rules
supreme, by the blessing of God. Others
were hurrying homeward, sons and daug hters,
for reunion with the old folks, and still more
an incomprehensible crowd, of whose jour
ney all is mystery-whose lives are still more
mysterious-each with an experience and
heart-trial of which the world knows nothing.
So we 60, a hu.rying, bustling moving world,
Anowing little after all of onesanother's cares
ard joys, bent upon the pursuit of individual
happiness, as rule and everyene's else as an
exception. "-
But mOralzing aside. Under the charge of
Conductor G. I. Woodbury., most gentle
manly and accommodating official, we ar
rived at Wells depot some half an hour late,
the II M. Boston train due at Saco delayed
the Portland train. Eaton's regular coach for
the Beach had gone. Waiting some three
hours was not to be thought OF. The Portland
party desiring transit were some eight in all,
including distinguished lawyer, an able and
well known physician, an accomplished bank
er and the writer, and wives Except the bank
cry whose investment in matrimonial "stock"
is not yet made, owing to the uncertainty of
"dividends' S
But covered beach wagon is soon provid-
ed, and we are all safely aboard, ensconsed in
jolly style, and are wheeling over the road
seven miles to the beach, five by the new road.
1t was delightful ride and highly enjoyed
nature looking perfectly lovely.
ARRIVAL.
At quarter of seven we reached the hotel
and the genial clerk remarked s'Ee is both
glad and "sorry'' to see us. Sorry because
the house is about full" But with the reply
that 1--WE will trust to luck and make the bes4
dasing party, we alight and are soon "toletiz-
ed'-there's new word for you, Mr.. Editor.
The house is lively with people old and
young, happy, merry crowd, and how neat
and tasty every thing looks, and in true metro
politan style besides. Supper is INDUCED in,
and it is excellent, the ride giving us relishing
appetites.
SEA AND LAND VIEWS
We look seward and find the Old Ocean
right before us, rolling it's ceaseless songs in
grand majestic music upon the shore-a per-
petual anthem to the All-wise. A glorious
beach it is from Wells river to Ogunquit river,
five miles long, and so wide and hard at low
tide, and even at high tide easily traversed
The curve of the shore on the northeast makes
Cape POrpoise in Kennebunk. The beautiful
Wells river curls its serpentine course little
northeast of the Island Ledge, flowing in ir-
regular sweetness across the marshes rearward
of the house, losing itself in the short growth
OF trees near the main stage-road. The high
elevation of the hotel gives wide and over
spreading view of the surrounding county,
Kennebuuk and its wooded cape, Wells with
its peaceful limits, reaching far westward, with
the Ogunquit river winding northward, and
and westward York far in the distance, Mount
Aglmenticus rearing its proud summit high in
the horizon. Mounts Hope and Bonpy Big in
Sanford and North Berwick adding interc st to
the scene. While far seward, southeastward
rises Bald Head Cliff, some eight miles dis
lance, Drawing the very depths of the ocean it
self, and at whose base the waves dash in ter
rifle fury. sending the mist and spray to the
very summit of the crag. 1t is a famous pic
mic resort. Cape Neddick still beyond is seen
another popular and beautiful spot in York.
1t is sunset as we arrived, and what wonder
that surrounded with such views, with the set
ting sun illuminating with GORGEOUS pyrotech-
MICS in the western sky that we remarked that
it is perfectly magnificent"
ISLAND LEDGE HOUSE.
The Island Ledge House, as before observed,
is situated upon an knoll facing the sea. The
main house is some 100 feet front and 100 feet
back, three stories, Mansard roof, cupola, two
wide verandahs running on three sides of the
house-splendid places for firtations, sea gaz-
ing and promenades. The stable, gas house,
bowling alley and laundry are separate build
ings. The hotel contains 125 rooms and can
accommodate some $50 or more people. The
sleeping apartments are large, airy and pleas.
ont nearly all having sea view. The dining
hall, parlors, reception, billiard, tonsorial and
other rooms are very convenient and comforta-
able and excellently arranged The whole
house is lighted by gas, made in a separate
building, and in the evening the place is de-
cldedly brilliant. The Dover Band orchestra
are here for the season, and there are merry
hops each evening. There is finish and me-
tropolitan furnishing to the house which makes
it one of the finest if not the finest on the
Maine coast. The proprietors are entitled to
great credit for their enterprise and deserve
the success which has resulted from their en-
beavers. Intending first to only build pri-
vate residence for themselves and friends, they
were induced to strike out and establish here q
first class summer hotel and they have done
so. The house is full and many are unable to
get rooms. Another year either an addition or
separate lodging houses will be erected The
company here is not of the high styled and
dressy Saratoga character, but of the more
sensible, tasteful and creditable method which
commends itself to all people of correct judg-
ment. Some of the wealthiest and most in
fuential citizens OF New England, New York
and the West have been or are here, pronounc-
ing this place unequalled anywhere.
The architect and builder of the house is Mr.
Edward Blaisdell, of Dover, N. H. The pro.
prietors are Messrs- Davis, Worster & Co., who
are just the men ''to keep hotel" Mr.. III. B.
Davis and Mr.. w. A. Worster are successful
business men of Great Falls, and Mr.. Alfred
Davis also an inauel ,tial and wealthy resident
of Worcester, Mass. The clerk, Mr.. Geo. d.
Lamos, has had many years experience at the
Battle House, Mobile, and at the Atlantic