The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-09-22
DOWN TO THE LAKE.
A Ride over the New Railroad.
Afternoons at Spanish Fort.
The New Resort.


people in our city who even at this late day
know what Spanish Fort is or where it is.
The unceasing cares of business and the tur-
MOL of trade has SO overshadowed every
thing else here, that one scarcely gives heed
to the many monuments of the olden times
surrounding our city.
Yesterday afternoon, through the polite
ness of Mr.. Mcdonald, prominently con-
nected with the new City Park and Lake
Railroad, We took trip over their new road
to Lake Pontchartrain, and a most agreeable
ride it was. Starting from the corner OF Ba-
sin and Canal streets, the train moved away,
The cars moved off without any jar, and
hardly before one knew it, they were Gid
| ing out Bienville street at good rate Of
speed. The most fastidious passenger could
not but be pleased with the railway coaches.
Without the least jar or rumble they moved
along as easily as carriage, and were 1t not
for the passing objects, it would be difficult to
believe the cars we're in motion. The track
is laid solidly and firmly ballasted, so that
there exists none of those unpleasant jolts SO
frequently known on our other suburban
roads, Out Bienville street. across broad
commons, where wandering herds of lowing
kline were chewing their evening cud, the
train sped, and whilst the fresh wind obliter-
ated ali recollection of the bricked city, the
whistle blowed and we were at the City Park.
A neat little depot covered the track, shell
tering the cars in case of rain, and on the
right stretched away the long line Of the Or
leans Canal. Another snort, and the stalwart
little Thos. 81. Handy was on the move. 10
those who have become habituated to nothing
but the sight of dreary swamps and gloomy
morasses, this part of the new road offers q
new field of observation. On the left lofty
funereA expresses, draped in their old age in
wealth of hoarX moss, rear their heads, thell
deep green branches thrown out in relief
against bright ultram arine sky, whilst on
the other hand the limpid waters of the canal
hedged in by wild lilies and crocuses, enchan
the eye.
No such delightful ride can be had out oil
our city, as this over the new railroad. On
every hand new pictures are presented limned
by q "canny hand" which artists follow bu
never approach.
The whole route is like some kaleidoscope
picture, ever changing, yet ever beautiful
When the lake was reached the broad pano,
rama of Pontchartrain was opened to the
passengers view.
The cars turned down the shore towards
Spanish Fort, mile distant, and visitors were
on the horizon, like tabled ghosts, white sails
moved along, borne onward by the fresh
September wind, and nearer the less ventur
some fishermen dotted the water with theil
tiny craft Every rod showed new beauties
and the passengers were 10th to arrive Of thell
terminus.
In few minutes the depot was reached
and the crowd alighted to visit the venerable
remains of the old fort at the mouth O.
Bayou st. John.
Notwithstanding considerable contradiction
in the many traditions, one fact is assured
that the fort was built over one hundred years
ago. during the Spanish domination, as pro
lection against Indians 1t is semi-clrcular II
form, and the walls facing the lake are fully
four feet in thickness. Behind the front wall
running around the fort, is a parapet som'
eighteen fee. in width, on which the barbettt
guns were formerly mounted, their position
still marked to-day.
The diameter of the semi-circle of the fort
is about one hundred and ten feet, and
in the center about forty feet square
ust peering above ground is the brick work
of what was once rihe pit. The esplanadt
of the fortress has been filed up in the year.
following the fall of Spanish arms in Louisi
ana, and many of the old marks have beer
obliterated.
Rusty and time-worn, hardly noticed BY
unobservant visitors, lie on the green sward
two old cannons-one Spanish carronade
of three inches bore, the other columbiad
gun of about six inches. Around these relic
there are many ira iitions resting of old Ca
zadores on guard with their shining escope
tas glittering in the moonlight and signallne
to Indian maidens on the other bank Of tn
bayou, of smuggling vessels appearing on tn
horizon, and corporars calls.
In the middle of the fort now is situated
the new and elegantly furnished hotel unde
the management of mine host, Herman Schil
ling, whose genial manners and open hospi
tality can not fail to draw to him host o
friends. A broad gallery surrounds the hotel
on which parties can not only enjoy thel
afternoon meal, but at the same time inhale
the invigorating lake bree ze.
To those who desire to enjoy our delightful
September afternoons we would advise al
afternoons trip over the road of the Cana
Street, City Park and Lake Railroad. No othe
public conveyance off-rs such inducements
with such views of our Louisiana scenery.