The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-10-16
Summer Resorts.
To the Editor of the Press:


NEW ORLEANS, La, OcT 18th, 1873.
Summer tourists aod those who have in
dulged in few weeks recreation at the sea-
side or among the mountains, are now settling
down in their city homes and balancing ac
counts to ascertain how much shall be placed to
the credit of genuine enjoyment during their
summer yisitatons. 1t is safe to say that a
large majority of travellers and sojourners at
places of fashionable resort will rejoice that
they are "home again" While fashion por-
trays the advantages, enjoyments and fashion,
able requirements of a few weeks sojourn at
watering places, there is an increasing dispo-
sition to seek those places where actual rest
and healthful recreation are found; people
leave the heated sitting air of city homes for
summer rest and they expect to find it in
strolling over green fields and meadows-by
fishing in quiet ponds and running brooks-by
wandering along the sea-shore and splashing
among sea-waves, and do not expect to fndft
by being obliged to dress half dozen times a
day to avoid the criticisms OF unreasonable and
fastidous society. [ remarked this tendency
of society during visit to Maine the past
summer A native of Maine | have been
a resident of the Crescent City for the past
twelve years. / noted with pleasure the many
Changes anu Improvements nave Deel
made; the many resources of the State are
gradually being developed, and many points of
natural attraction are being utilized for the
pleasure and benefit of summer visitors. L
lind new railroad, the Boston & Maine,
extending from Boston to Portland, with sta
tons at Old Orchard and Pine point, and with
the latter place l was particularly attracted,
aud have an idea that one coming from the op-
pressive July heat of New Orleans will fully
realize what is desirable and appreciative in
r.ln Of Cnrf Dina nnt
presents everything that is attractive for
recreation and rest, and l predict that within
two years it will be difficult to purchase there
a cottage lot at reasonable price; and the on
ly thing which the owners of private property
will find detrimental to their interests. will
probably be purpose to builu extensive hotels,
as the abodes of style and fashion, before which
flee the quiet pleasures and untrammeled en-.
joyments of seaside life.
The attractions of Pine Point are these: A
railroad station is within five minutes walk-a
beach unsurpassed in attractiveness on the At
lantic coast-and the facilities for bathing
not be excelled; the Scarborough river separates
Pine Point from Black Point; this river is
prominent in the early history of Maine and
now, as well as it was then, is abundant in its
supplies OF fish OF many varieties. 1t is my
experience that it makes but little difference
with piscatoral Adventures from the city what
kind of fish they catch; the bite of sculpin is
quite satisfactory, as long as the bite is confn-
ed to the hook; here are found eels tom-cod,
frostfish, shad, and CLAIMS as sheilfsh; while
around the Point beach and over the marshes
sea-birds of different varieties abonnd in large
numbers Should the roughness of the sea en-
danger the launching of a boat, the river
about two hundred yards distant is always suf-
ticently smooth for rowing or sailing, At the
distance of about half an hours row, and like
an arm reaching out into the sea is sProuts
Neck prominent and romantic in the ear
ly settlement of this section of the
country, while directly in front, and
about three miles distant are Strattons
and Bluff Islands with their picturesque
scenery. Across the 'Neck' and to the left is
distinctly seen Richmond's Island, while to the
right appear Wood Island and the Pool dotted
with white cottages, and nearer at hand are the
hotels and cottages of Old Or.hard. At the en-
trance to the Scarborough river and about three
fourths of mile distant are seen the Black
Rocks where in s'ye oden time the Indians,
thinking themselves safe beyond the reach of
the garrison rifles, assembled to tantalize by
their gesticulations and dances, the pioneer
settlers, and defenders of the garrison at the
'Neck." Finally shot fired at an elevated
range CHANGED to lay out an unfortunate 'Io'
upon the rock, after which their visits ceased.
1t is fact of history that the main route of
travel between Portland and Boston was across
| this Point and continuously near the sea, and
toward this ancient line of travel the iron rails
of modern locomotion have continued to tend.
A few neat cottages are now built at Pine
| Point, and as l witnessed the unmarried enjoy
ment of visitors roaming about without seeming
limitation, apparently owners of all the beach,
the birds, the sea-fsh and the CLAIMS, with boats
at their command, could but compare their
genuine pleasures with the doubtful, witnessed
elsewhere.
With pride in the prosperity of Maine,
am sure that the locality referred to above with
many others will be gradually improved, and
attractions extended, thereby enriching the
State and proving of practical benefit and
pleasure to its people. CRESCENT CITY.