The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-05-23
TssE mucmuGAN CAMP GROUND.
correspondence of the Detroit Tribune.
GRAND RAPIDS, May Q, ]

Correspondence Of the Detroit Tribune.
GRAND RAPrps, May o, 1876.
The old and popular RathbuL House
at Grand Rapids has become quite q
rendezvous for the trustees Of the
Michigan Camp Meeting Association.
1t has been their meeting place for all
their trips to the northern and western
part Of the State. They met here on
the evening OF Monday, May lst. and
on Tuesday morning took q special
| ira with palace car, furnished by Mr..
Hughart, OF the Grand Rapids and In
diana Railroad, for Petoskey. They
were accompanied by several gentle
men as guests, who had been invited
through the courtesy Of Mr.. Hughart,
and also by the new and urbane super
intendent OF the northern section OF
the road, Mr.. j. NJ. Matheany. Leav-
ing Grand Rapids at half-past eight n.
m, and dining at the McKennon House
at Clam Lake, the party arrived at Pc
toskey at five p. m, after a very pleas
ant ride, having been reinforced by the
addition OF several gentlemen on the
way. The expected arrival OF the par
ty had created thorough interest
among the villagers, and large crowd
had assembled to give them welcome
at the depot. As the company alight-
ed they we're greeted by music from
the Petoskey Brass Band, the compli-
ment being returned by short speech
from Rev. s. Reed OH behalf of the
company. The object of this visit OF
the trustees was to survey the bounda-
nv lines Of their land and to locate the
principle points, such as the audience
ground, site for the depot, the princi-
pal avenues, etc. On Wednesday NOR
ming they proceeded TO that work. The
day was beautiful, and, assisted by Su-
perintsndent Matheany, Engineer Slim
sou, and several gentlemen OF Petos-
key. the work was accomplished so
that the party took the sleeping-car at
night for home. The trustees were
highly pleased with tAs contour and
position of the land as surveyed. The
surveyor pronounced il the most per-
feet site for the purpose contemplated
that he had ever seen.
The audience ground is located on
the western slope, noar the bay, and it
has many excellencies for that pur-
pose. The site for the depot is select
ell on the south or Petoskey side Of
ths ground, and broad avenue and
sidewalk will ieed from 10 dirsOtiy ~
the audience room. The little stream
Of water which crosses the southeast
corner OF the company's ground can
easily be brought on to any part and
nsed for fountains. The trustees will
Immediately engage an engineer to
plat the grounds, aud though they will
not all be improved for years, IL may
be, yet the plans will bs laid with ref
erence TO the future, so that each years
improvement shall be in the line OF the
general plan. As soon as the grounds
shall be laid into lots the trustees will
take measures to inform the public and
offer them for selection.
The facilities for reaching Petoskey
from the surrounding country are fast
being developed. A State road is TO be
built from Rogers City to Petoskey. a
distance OF fifty-six miles, the contract
for the eastern section of twelve miles
OF which is already let, aud the con-
tractor designs to have his work COM
pleted by next October. This road,
when completed to this point, will form
very important outlet TO Petoskey
business. The opening Of water COM
munication from Cheboygan on the
northeast through TO Round Lake,
within five miles OF Pstoskey, is bring
ing settlers To that section in large
numbers.
A saw mill and planning mill are oe-
/ ing erected here, which will furnish all
kinds Of dressed lumber cheap.