The Newtown bee., 1878-06-06
New Preston.

'""' N''AtFHetihAHA VIII NIlis uF !" A"W more facts concerning the beautiful Lake Watamang. trust your readers are IL measure Interested In this lake. for If memory serves me right l have seen several of your citizens enjoying themselves here during tho past low seasons. Commencing at the mouth of the lake, we make note first of tho Sherman House. It is a large and costly structure, was built In 1874 by Bridgeport partles and it's location cans not be surpassed, From tho house large portion of the lake can be seen. The worthy proprietor has done all in his power to make his house a yery popular ono; for such laboiis he has had the satisfaction Of having house full to overtiOwing" each year.
 Tho Wilson House comes up before Us next for minute description. The house was built in 1875 by J. E. Wilson, of Bridgeport. The house Is ilrst-class in every respect, and is built upon tho most approved plan, the proprietors greatest aim being to give satisfaction to all those who patrouize him. In connection with his house, good and convenient barn has been built.
 Nearly one-half mile distant is the Barter House. This house Is perhaps better known on account of its being longer established than any of the others. It is not quite as large as some of the others however, owing to its fine situation it has generally more than its share of business. The beautiful scenery around the lake can be seen to d much better advantage here than at any other point. During the past Win ter large and needed improvements have been made on tEis house. It has been enlarged throughout, and the ae- cOmmodations will hereafter be ample. The house is principally devoted to transient business, there being over 60 transient guests ina single day. Twill not at this time take more space in your valuable paper ill describing the Carter House.
 A pleasant place near New Preston Is a favorite resort for the boarders. This place tor resorO is known as Steep Rock. This great rock reminds one of the palisades on the Hudson river, but is more abrupt its height being about 300 feet. As ono stands on the summit and looks southward, the Shepaug valley looms up before the gaze. The pleas- ant village of Roxbury Station is situ- "tnd nanr bv. at which !Dlace m iron mine was opened few years ago, al- though at the present time no work is being done there. There is also a quarry in this place, whore the finest stone for building and tlagging purposes are quarriod, and hundreds of tons are sent monthly via Shepaug railroad to New York and other large cities for the above purposes. One of the main fea- lures in the quarry is that no blasting is required; wedges arc driven in, and large blocks split off immense cakes and varying from three to fourteen inches in thickn ,sp. The stone has become very popular in New York, It being used in the principal streets for flag ging. From the summit of Steep Rock the beautiful hillsides and pleasant val- leys abound with magnificent scenery. You can see succession of rapids through rocky gorge. Great shadow ing rocks protrude on either side of the Shepaug river. Situated almost at the base of the rocks is the Shepaug rail- road. Ii was great task to build the road at this place, for 1t had to be tun- neled through one side of the rock. It was almost an impossibility, but tho undertaking was commenced and car rod through with wonderful and praise- worthy rapidity. Steep Rock is . place much frequented by the city people from Lake Waramaug, who go and spend the entire day there. On tho summit trees and brush have grown up. and in a few years the entire rock will be covered over with the trees that now abound on the margin, if no care should be taken of it. Let Us hope that this pleasant place may receive the care that it should, for we think such grand and beautiful places should not be left to themselves, since if they are they will lose their entire attraction, which they now possess, in very short time, and who will then give thought to such places as Steep Rock? God forbid that tho day should ever arrive whom this grand and noble rock will forever be forgotten. Years may roll on, the pres ent generation may depart for 8 better world, but let us imagine that Steop Rock will never become unknown.
 WHO?