The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-10-17
Delaware Water GAP.

The "season" at the Delaware Water
Gap as at all the places of summer re.
sort, is now near its close. Last week
the number of boarders at the hotels was
quite small-probably not much exceed
ing one hundred in ALL The cool nights
have led the crowd to seek their homes
in the cities and towns, aud only few
lingerers are LETT to enjoy the scenery
which brishtens with each successive
day. The frost is already tinging the fol-
iage on the mountain sides and clothing
their massive surfaces with variegated
beauty. In many respects the present is
the best time for a transient visit to this
romantic region. The proprietors of the
hotels and their assistants now recognize
each individual guest as ga man and a
brother" instead of Jumping him with
the indiscriminate throng of travellers who
resort to their halls in July and August
The boatmcn are considerate and CON-
municative, and row you tenderly and
carefully to the very brink of the rapids
beyond Mount Minsi The man with
the "cold air cave" unlocks his door with
polteuess and bows you into his den with
wonderful consideration. The photograp-
her has plenty of time to wait upon you,
and show you his assortment of stereo-
scopic and larger pictures. 1t is just the
time to go to the Water Gap if you wish
to enjoy yourself aud be fattered into the
belief that you are somebody" The
past season, we are told, has been pleas
ant and successful one. A large new ho-
tel, on the highest point of the mount
above the railway station, has been filled
with visitors, and many have been turn
ed away This house has ''all the mod
ern improvements" and somewhat re-
sembleS the large hotels at the sea side.
Its porticoes command beautiful view.
The height above the Delaware is 400
feet. The old Kittatiuny House is half
way up-more accessible and more home
like. 1t is comfortable without preten-
sion, and lively without frivolity. Both
OF these houses are kept by members of
the Brodhead family, who are the great
people of the Water Gap world. The
Glenwood House is back from the river
some distance, but is frequented by many
quiet families. The sensation of the last
season has been the discovery of ''cold
air cave" on the south side of Mount
Minsi, two miles or more below the sta
ton. The finder was wood chopper
who one day perceived current of cold
air proceeding from chinks in the jumb-
led rocks near the base Of the mountain.
lie concluded to investigate, and after
great labor moved enough of the stones
to find an opening into the side of the
cliff. He built these stones into the walls
OF what seems very much like bear
vault, covered with slate roof, and serv-
ing as a vestibule to the mysteries be-
yond. The idea of beer vault is further
sustained by cider barrel, with a straw
bung, and number of glasses beside it.
Away back in the rear is bulwark of
huge boulders, from the crevices, of
which perceptible current of air rushes
from the interior of the mountain
Where it finds ingress none can tell
The temperature is said to be from 40 to
so degrees-much colder than the outer
air. 1t is a big refrigerator To those
who expect grand natural curiosity it
also appears to be a big 'sell." 1t was
asserted that a person had crept in to
depth of sixty feet, finding there
space large enough to turn wagon in
The one who did this must have been like
an eel, for the visible Granny was but
few inches wide. Other features of this
mountain region are attractive to those
who dwell among tanner scenery, and
there are beautiful drives over toward
Stroudsburg. Pike fishing is said to be
pretty good in the neighboring creeks,
and doubtless there is plentiful game in
the thick forests around. The Water
Gap is about the nearest accessible noun
tain wilderness to the large cities, and its
fame as a healthful and pleasant resort
is constantly extending.