Smyrna times., 1872-06-12
The New Camp Ground of the Phila.
MethOdiStS,

The Media american publishes the fol-
io"1ng Tlg description OF the new camping ground
at Chester Heights in Delaware county:
Ihe members of the Philadelphia Con-
terence feeling the need Of some suitable nlace
tor excursions of Sunday Schools. and TO hold
calhp-meetlngs, appointed committee to
secure one, and after much search, they pur-
chased the place known as the Williamson
Earm, located on the line of the Baltimore
central Railroad, about twenty miles from the
depot at Broad street and Washington Avenue
Philadelphia. The property was bought by
the original survey Of l48 acres, at $3.50 npr
acre, or $50, 500 for the whole. BY the survey
oy Mr.. W. H. F'avl le, Of Ches'er, it was found
10 contain lOS acres, more or less. The ASs0-
cation has charter giving power to issue one
thousand shares OF stock at $25 EACH with the
privilege to increase the capital to $50 600
Eight hundred of these shares have already
been taken. Fifty acres are enclosed, for the
use OF excursions and camp meetings, with a
tiSht board fence, seven feet high, except
that fronting the railroad. which will be
paled. W NOrks will be erected to force
water to a reservoir with capacity for lOO.-
600 gallons There will be several two-inch
pipes laid over the grounds in convenient drec-
tlons, to which hydrants will be attached at
different points, twenty-four in all. An ex-
curslon house is nearly completed, costing
S5OOO, 6OXllO feet, with a height Of Is feet to
the ceiling, to have an arched roof At ore
end OF this building, a house 32x4O feet. and
two stories high, will be erected for preacher s
stand, manager ) rooms, &c In tie basement,
accommodations will be made for dining rooms
oOx3o feet . feet to the ceiling and having a
cement floor. An ice cream pavilion 80 feet
across, eight square, is in course Of erection
There will be seats of an improved plan. which
can be removed at pleasure, also rustic seat,
will be erected between trees and at other
convenient places. There will be croquet
grounds LAID out, swings contemplated Ample
room, with hltchlng posts for horses and car
rlages VIII be made at some distance from the
excursion house. The managers will have sole
control of the trains, of which there will be
none on Sundays. A portion of the proceeds
OF transportation will accrue to the benefit of
the Association. The l4th ut., the Ladies
United Aid Society made the dedicatory ex-
erclses and the grounds are engaged every sue
ceedlhg day, Sundays excepted) until some
time IN August, including the time of camp.
meeting which commences on Tuesday, July 23d,
and will continue ten days
Excursionlsts can be accommodated with re-
treshments by Mr. John Smith, residing ON the
farm, and he vii! also provide dinner, at fifty
cents a head providing ample time be given
,.'-i - "htSh " piCpdIC II. NO intoxicating
liquors shall be sold or used, and no card play,
ing, dancing, or other exercises inconsistent
with the character INDUCED in. Arrangements
have been made SO that excursions can be
transported at low rates. Application should
be made to Rev j. B. Mccullough, President
and General Supt., at lOl8 Arch St, Phila.
The Vice President Of the Board is Rev. Benz.
SchOheld; Secretary, Rev. T. A. Fernley, and
Treasurer. Rev. Lewis Helms. The railroad
company is erecting a station 5Ox2O feet for
baggage and tickets with platform feet wide
by 500 feet long, and siding Of 1900 feet in
length When all the improvements have
been completed it will will be one of the finest
excursion grounds in the country, being retired
AID free from anything to mar the enjoyment
OF the excursonsts. Much credit is due the
persons having it in charge Mr. Henry Wood
:he efficient Superintendent of the road, is
doing all he can to advance the interests of the
enterprise"