Worcester daily spy., 1871-07-13
Letter from Martha's Vineyard.
IooRREsPoNDENoE OF THE DAILY sPY.l
OAK BLUFFS, I

|
Martha's Vineyard, July 10.
This warm weather makes sojourning by the
seaside a very pleasant luxury-here, where
there is constant refreshing sea-breeze, one
may dwell during the fiery heats of the summer
with great content. But, short time here in
the last of June, which gave two cold northeast
storms in one week, with never fire to sit by
was entirely conclusive that June was not the
month for sea air or sea bathing. And yet june
is glorious month for inland traveling-thC
great grandeur and glory of nature as she bursts
from her winter dress of sombre hues, and in
this month clothes herself with the full apparel
of summer, rich in all the strength and fresh
ness of vernal green, and decks herself with the
gorgeous roses and fruit blossoms of spring
make it the most delicious time for travel
where, in case of cold storm, one can find the
substantial shelter which afford that warmth
and comfort which these airy nests by the sea
are entirely innocent of.
But when the July sun pours down its heat
then flee to the shore; and of all places by the
sea where is one so accessible to Worcester and
so complete and satisfactory in all its appoint
ments as Martha's Vineyard. Here is air cool
from the ocean, bathing, fishing, sailing, with
all the comforts of life at moderate cost. Aris-
tocracy, style, pomp and variety may go to
Newport and spend its money in the wonder.
fully exaggerated prices of the nucleus of pride
the real democracy, and bringing their families,
can spend few weeks or months almost or
quite as Cheaply as at home.
Our good Methodist brethren have for thirty
years come here annually for camp'meetng one
week in the year; finding it good to be here they
have one by one begun to come week, then
two weeks or more, earlier than the meeting, till
at last this has grown from the proportions of a
religious meeting to popular watering place.
Tents still abound on the camp ground and
are the popular residence with most of the old
MethOdists, but cottages are being rapidly built
and where there were few years ago but a
dozen there are now some i've hundred cottages
on the camp ground, and outside some two hun
dred on the bluff, and fifty or more are in pro-
cess of construction this season. Five years
ago, a few enterprising men organized COM
pany and bought the tract of land lying east o.
the camp ground adjoining the ocean, and lay
ing it tastefully with avenues and parks, have
sold cottage lots containing some two thou
sand square feet for one hundred dollars
each, which have for some choice
locations been speculated up to thousand dol
lars each and this for land that ten years ago
was hardly worth ten dollars an acre for sheep
pasture. The camp ground is largely covered
with small oaks, and these extend partially over
the bluff, and when the Oak Bluff lots were first
sold and occupied, following the Methodist be-
ginning, lots were sought for in the shade and
protection of the groves; afterwards many have
discovered that on the exposed bluff, away from
the close shelter of the trees, the air is cooler
and fresher, and the sea view desirable, and the
most exposed lots, that two years ago went
begging at hundred dollars, are now held to
be worth thousand dollars each, and sales are
made at that figure. The enterprising proprie-
tors of Oak Bluff have been doing much in the
way of improving and identifying their grounds.
A paved street is laid from the land
ing up to the center of this village
by the camp gate, concrete walks on
the most prominent thoroughfares; a plank
walk fifteen feet wide and nearly three-quarters
the sea and benches the entire length, is built
directly above the beach, with an occasional
airy pavilion 10 protect from sun or storm
This makes a splendid promenade, with the
whole sweep of the ocean in full view A row
of substantial and convenient bathing houses
on the beach, and finally a chapel on the
highest point of land among the trees towers
m with its octaponal roof n land mark in siobt
from every direction. 1t is now nearly COM
plete, and will seat very conveniently nearly
thousand persons. 1t is intended for cosmo-
politan preaching concerts, ETC., ETC., ana will
be q very tasteful structure. Quite number of
families were here in June, but the larger part
of the citizens were mechanics, busily at work
on new cottages. Every day brought new
accessions, and now they come in numbers,
and will continue increasing till meeting time,
the last of August, which is the height of the
season here Everything that can hold board
ers or dodgers is then full.
The daily arrival of the boat is the great
event that brings all to the wharf to hail new
corners, and among them it is pleasant to search
out and greet Worcester friends that are now
daily arriving.
Worcester people are under great obligation
to Mr.. Blood, the enterprising and popular man
ager of the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg rail-
road, for arranging the new route via Framing
ham and Mansfield to New Bedford, giving us
two hours later start at Worcester, arriving at
New Bedford just as early as by the old route,
and saving some twenty miles of travel.