Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-09-06
Island Pond.

Island P0nd.
OF this place, correspondent (Ida
Hazelton) writes to the Lewiston Sat
urddy Evening Journal, as follows =
Still trailing our way among the
hills, through wild and tangled woods,
we came to the pond, and the unique,
but pleasant village of Island Pond.
Here we surrendered ourselves and
our baggage to the care Of friend
whose summer guests we shall be for
short sojourn.
Nature has eXerted herself especi-
ally for this village. But human ma
ture has done even more, and Island
Pond and railroad might almost be
synonymous terms. The depot and
its surroundings are a pronounced
portion of the village territory as
well as its business vitality; while
railroad officials have long since
ceased to be rarity.
The mountains, as far as they were
able have crowded back to make room
for the town, but all about they lift up
their stubborn heads in protest
against any further encroachment.
Only one mountain, as far as !
have ascertained, has been favored
with name. Right in front of my
window he stands, blunt, substan-
tial looking fellow, whom they call
Old Bluff. His hairs have been
singed with summer fires, and alto
gether he looks precious grim
Through u notch of the mountains il
the east, we sometimes catch q fal
glimpse of the Stratlord Peaks, two
tall, cone-shaped mountains whose
white granted ribs look like peaks Of
snow.
The Pond enjoys its long siesta il
a two.mile bed. Its feet touch The
busy railroad yard, and its head lies
at the base Of distant mountains. Il
rejoices in the possession of one
island, from which the village takes
its name. "Your Lewiston Park
could be comfortably seated upor
this little green spot" some one said
az we rowed our boat close to its
shore the other evening. From thr
Pond the river Clyde takes its depar.
ture, and having separated the vii
lagc, goes on its way to the st. Law
renee. SO much for the natural adj
vantages Of Island Pond.
But there are, just now, compare
lively no "summer boardcrs." In
deed, the villagers have given them
selves very little trouble about these
capricious summer guests, and 1t i
said that there is not private house
where "boarder" could insinuat
his wandering feet. 1t is true tina
; there is the aspiring front of fou
story ard basement in fine situa
ton, "every room Of which might b
tilled-if it were finished" But ther
seems to be no remarkable eagernes
on the part Of its builders to bring i
20 state Of completion. Close beside
it is the Island Pond House, its piaz
gas peering out inyitingly from til
shadows of the trees.
The other day small steamer wa
launched upon the little island lake
and rs there is n brass band in goo
practice in the village, moonlight sal
and music will soon "yex its quie
surface" and start the echoes of til
surrounding mountains, at the ever
ing hour.
The village groups itself upon eitl
, er side of the Clyde. The real Gel
ter Of business crowds about the d,
pot upon the Flat, while the churcht
: and many residences have perche
themselves about the feet and up
the knees of Old Bluff. Three whit
, church spires glisten against the dan
/, background of that sturdy mountain
. The Episcopalian, Congregations
Universalist and Roman Catholic hay
planted their faith on this We
: mont hill, and in q new hall on I'll
Flat, the Methodist. Thus in a tow
, of sixteen hundred inhabitants, even
= Que may suit himself in the matter
! creed. The upper village on the bill
= side is reached from the lower by CO.
cred stairs and walks, an arrang,
ment which gives unique appearance,
and an almost foreign aspect, if yo
please, to the town.
+ In spacious lumber yard close
V the Pond stands the steam sawmi
which feeds upon the mountain timbe
!. and gives employment to large fore
It of men. It's energetic owner, G.. I
c Fitzgerald, formerly Of Lewiston,