The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-11-29
Saratoga.

1t Is as impossible to see Saratoga In
one day as it is the Yosemite Valley.
You may take superficial glance, but,
to see all the attractions, you must make
an old-fashioned visit 1t is day or so,
for instance, before you can talk under
standingly of Congress Water aud Con-
gress Park. The first thing visitor sees
in the morning are people hurrying to-
ward some spring. lie follows the crowd,
and finds himself beneath the pictur-
esque pavilion over Congress Spring.
Around the numerous tables ladies and
gentlemen sit, drinking their sparkling
Congress Water; while near by is res
taurant, where breakfast may be taken
by those who wish to enjoy with their
meal the delightful view and music In
Congress Park. No Partisan cafe or Ger
man beer.garden can boast of attractions
equal to those that the visitor sees in
Congress Park. How differently does
the land now look from what it did in
1909, when the spring was discovered 10y
a party of hunters, and given its name IN
honor of a member of Congress from
New Hampshire.
This park comprises almost the entire
plot of ground encompassed by Broad
way, Congress, and Circular streets.
Originally forest, possessing many
natural attractions, it has been material
ly improved by grading, draining, and
the additionfof many architectural adorn-
ments, until it now presents most beau
tiful appearance, and is one of Saratoga's
principal charms. During the year 1876
its proprietors (the Congress and Empire
Spring Company expended nearly $780,
900 on these improvements, and now it
surpasses all other parks of equal size in
the United States in the beauty of its
graceful and artistic architecture. The
grade of the low ground was raised from
two to seven feet, and new plan of drain
age adopted, which involved in its sys-
tenn the elegant new reservoir and the
charming miniature lake. The grand en-
trance is at the junction of Congress
street and Broadway, near the Grand
Union Hotel and Congress Hall, on what
is now called Monument Square. Once
in the Park, you may stroll at will, visit
ing the lakes and the shaded lawns, list
ening to the delightful music of Down
ing's celebrated Ninth Regiment Band,
which discourses every morning, after
noon and evening, in alienation, from
the two band-stands and the very unique
and artistic Music Pavilion in the center
of the lake. Strolling along to the south
part of the grounds, you may visit the
deer shelter and park, where are several
animals that roam and skip about within
the enclosure, greatly to the delight of
the children and the amusement of the
adults. In the Park, amid the flowers
and shrubs, strolling over the grass-cov-
cred, shaded lawns, or lounging under
the grand old forest trees, enchanted by
the charming music-here it is that one
may enjoy the supreme delights of a
genuine rural summer resort. Every
convenience for park enjoyment is here
afforded, including abundant settees and
shade and the security of efficient police
supervision. The grounds are thorough
ly lighted by gas at night, rendering
them available as a place of evening re-
sort. Every convenience for park enjoy
ment is here afforded, including abundant
settees and shade and the security of eff
cent police supervision. The grounds
are thoroughly lighted by gas at night,
rendering them available as a place of
evening resort. The scene in the evening,
on the occasion of one of the grand con-
certs, is remarkably brilliant and charm
ingly fascinating. But the chief attrac-
tions of the Park are its wonderful min
eral springs-the Columbian, remark
able chaly Ieate water, highly priced as a
tonic and general builder-up of depleted
systems; and the Congress, without doubt
the finest aperient water in the world, a
spring which has been called a fountain
of joy to Saratoga. The tube that now
holds this spring has remained undis-
turbed since 1865; but what marvellous
changes have taken place around it. With
all the work round about, the Spring has
remained unmolested, performing its
wonted functions steadily and uninter-
ruptedly. An analysis of Congress Spring
shows that it contains Of the laxative salts
Chloride of sodium and bicarbonate of
magnesia, 622 grains to each GALLON
enough to render its effects certain with
out the addition or use of cathartic drugs.
At the same time, it does not contain an
excess of these salts, and it is almost free
from iron, an excess of which produces
congestion. The improved method of bot
Ting the Congress Water, which retains
the gas, has greatly increased its value,
as will be readily recognized by those
familiar with it in the past, or by any one
who will look through the bottles.at the
transparent, sparkling fluid.
One queries if these wonderful foun-
tains of health can ever run dry. Why
should theyl The mineral springs of