Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-07-13
MISCELLANEOUS.
From our Late Editions OF Yesterday
Sea Grove.

uhy ohiho uoWn W tiils lliuce, hb lney were re-
lieved from the dust aud oinders Of travel by the
deluging shower which accompanied them part
of tho distance. Tho arid air, warm and en-
feebling with tho heat which was impaired it as
it swept over the scorching sands, was also
cooled, and by the time the tram sped beyond
storm area, ocean brec2es waited their fresh
| and inyigorating influences to the advancing
party. They, therefore, arrived in good spirits
and well prepared for that which was to follow.
THE EDITORIAL PARTY
was composed wholly Of the representatives of
| the daily press, Who with their ladies' numbered
about one hundred. philadelphans largely pre-
dominated, but there were several persons from
Now York. Baltimore, Wilmington and other ci-
ties. Tomorrow much larger delegation of
| New York journalists will arrive, comprising the
more prominent members OF the bar in that ci-
| ~. Tho company arc the guests of Alexander
Whilldin, ESD, the President OF the Association
which is developing tLis enterprise, who has
been unremitting in his attentions, and who, as
sisted by Mr.. VIM. Is. Crooke, well known to
the profession, has rendered the fstay unusually
| pleasant thus far. Last evening handsome
| collation. was spread in the dining hall of the
Sea Grove House, where tho guests were VOL
coined by Mr.. Villain and song Of welcome
was also sung by the Hayes Quartette. An Or
ganization was effected with VIM V. Nc
Kean, of the Philadelphia LedJer, at the head,
and several impromptu speeches made.
Later concert WAS given in honor of tho guests
by the Hayes Quartette.
SEA dRoyE-ITs LOCATION
Sea Grove is located on the Atlantic coast,
about mile and a half below Cape May City,
| and comprises 26O acres lying about tho prom
ontory around which the waters of the Delaware
Bay and Atlantic Ocean comminge. In other
Words Sea Grove is located upon tho head-land
called Cape May. 1t is just south of Cape May
light, and the portion now built up lies immedi-
ately on the line between that beacon and Hen
lopen light on the opposite shore. Until the
opening of tho present spring. the locality was
wild and undeveloped waste, with high bluffs
ranging around the shore, and back OF these
trees OF pine and oak struggled through dens-
er underground of whortlebcry and briars.
Travellers between Cape May and the steamboat
landing will remember the little wood near tho
latter. 1t is within this, and extending from the
turnpike to the ocean, that tho foundation has
been laid for city which promises at an early
day to become the rival of it's older slater fur
ther up the shore.
PRESENT DEVELOPMENTS.
The growth of Sea Grove has been wonderful.
Already it has many OF the attractions OF older
sea side resorts and before the opening Of the
present building season not nail had been
driven in any building now standing. In fact
tho Association which has founded the place did
not become possessed of the land until Febru-
ary, and since that time the grading and all else
that peautifies and adorns the place has been
performed. Ono might think, looking upon
present accomplishments, that the supposed
hidden treasures of Capt. Kidd which tradition
place upon these shores had been found, or that
an active and general effort to dig them up had
been extended throughout tho settlement. The
place il really what its name denotes. The
thick brush and under growth which covered
the ground has boon carefully removed, and the
best and most promising of tho trees been per-
United to remain. This will admit more vigor-
ous growth in future years, and from their pres
ent..sign it is expected that the trees will
DEVELOP INTO TALL AND STATELY OAKS.
When that day shall arrive, the now city will
stand amid n magnificent grove, the possibilities
OF which 1t is not now difficult to comprehend.
Through this grove graded and graveled drives
have been made, forming the streets of the new
city. In the very centre of the ground rises the
pavilion, lofty and imposing, and with seating
capacity of $4,000 persons. Extending around
this ina circle IL magnificent drive, from which
radiate other drives to the Atlantic and Delaware
Bay beaches, along which are splendid graded
roads, and to the turnpike on the North. These
are largely availed of by Cape May residents,
who frequently quit their own handsome bouie,
ward along the ocean fo- this more variegated
scenery. Thirty cottages are already completed
or in an advanced state of progress, and about
twenty others are under contract. Those OF
Alex. Whillden and John Wanamaker are the
principal ones, and i'll size and architectural
beauty the successful rivals of tho best at
Cape May All the cottages arc large and taste
full in their design, though there is great uni
fosmity in plan.
THE PREVAILING STYLE
ia wo story, with four gables, or built in tho
stvla of transverse houses. Another prevailing
stylo is with the end to tho street, with bay
window in the side. Immediately back OF the
hotel il a row OF FIVE cottages OF this STYLE Sew
eral busine " houses are also IN course oil ereo-
ton, and Sea Grove is already assuming much
the air of col siderable town.
But that whic 4 Is probably a greater wonder
than ali else by ,,ason of its rapid completion
i'd the
SEA ogoyE HOUSE,
which is under the M snagement of H.. L. Hill
dreth. Begun only about one hundred Gays ,,t aHo
and was occupied July lst. The building IL
quite large. 1t is four storiea IN height, l1o
feet front, and will accommodate 2o0 guests. IN
architecture it is not unlike the cape MAY no
tells, while many of its arrangements are very
much the same. The rooms are all very com,
fortably furnished with new chamber saits, anu
the meals are such as are found at first CLASS no,
tells. Already the Sea Grove House mas iouilu
many patrons, and bids fair to become popular
under it's present good management not ohiS 10
Presbytcrians but to Christians generally. Inc
hotel ID not without sea view Tor Ill front anu
to the east end stretches the ocean, ana on tne
West end and in the roar lies tho Delaware bay
with the same limitloss expanse OF water. a
constant sea breeze is thus obtained, and even
when the residents of Cape May are swetering
under the land breezes, a cool and refreshing
atmosphere prevails here.
Rising above tho pavilion is al observatory,
from which magnificent view OF sea ana iaiu
NAV be had. Here as far as the eye can reach
towards three points Of the compass lies Nh nm
bounded marine view, and towards the other
stretches a way the table land of South Jersey.
Cape May Court House is in fine view, and the
light sandy banks at Henlopen are plainly dis-
cernable. moro comprehensive idea OF the
beauty of Sea Grove is also obtainablo, Tor from
this point one looks down directly on the drives,
and also upon the CLASSY surface OF Lilly Lake.
a pretty little body of water three-quarters OF
mile long, in the grove. This has become
favorite spot for boating parties.
SEA GROVE ASSOCIATION,
The owner of this new seaside resort, ID JOINT
stock corporation. with Alexander Whildn at
it's head. 1t started out with capital OF
S75 600, all of which has been expended in the
development of the place. In addition to this,
considerable monies derived from the sale oil
lots has been laid out in the same manner
There has already boon rapid enhancement IN
the value of lots, as some which were sold by
the Association at the outset, for !4OO, have
been resod at..3S00. 1t WAS not the intention to
permit speculation but the Association finds IT.
self powerless to prevent this altogether.
The beach along the front is firm and hard, and
those who have tried it pronounce the bathing
excellent. The street railway to Cape May, wa
the turnpike, is under contract for completion
III ten days.
THE CAPE MAY REGATTA