New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-02
DETAILS OF THE ENTERPRISE.

DETAILS OF THE ENTERPRISE.
Since Coney Island has been singuarly success.
ful as popular resort the eyes Of capitalists hayo
been turned toward Rockaway, with a view TO util-
zng It's great natural advantages to larger extent
than has heretofore been done. Various projects
have been conceived for the building of hotels
similar to those at COney Island, and for
the laying of railroads But scheme more
extensive than all hitherto proposed has now
taken shape, and the west end of Rockaway is to DO
transformed into vast park, 700 acres in extent,
upon which are to be erected several hotels, pavil-
IONS bathing accommodations, both in surf and
still water even race-course and theatre arc
contemplated. This end of Rockaway Is thickly
covered with clumps and groves of cedar
trees. which thrive the sandy soil Tho
property is thus well adapted for the purposes OF
park. and has, at the start many features that
elsewhere, as at COney Island, must be developed
with great care aud at much expense. The ground
is rolling and banks and valleys may be leveed
or left for ornamentatiOn as desired.
The men said to be interested in the enterprise
are Senator Jerome b. Chaffee, Of Colorado David
Moffatt, of Denver, who contributes 81 100000;
II. G.. Lord, of Cincinnati, Benjamin Smith, presi
dent of the c., G. and i. c. Railroad; Henry Z.
Atrill and Mr.. Thompson. Two millions and
half of dollars have been devoted to the pur-
chase of the land and improvements. Mr..
Atrill represents the purchasers in New-York.
and the transactions already made have been
in his name. The property begins at a line drawn
across Rockaway starting from point 200 yards
west Of the Neptune House, on the bay side, to
point near Hilyers on the ocean front. -Four
thousand feet of this front, comprising about 80
acres has been purchased from De Witt G. Lttleiohn
for $4,000. Such of the property ~ is not
covered by Mr.. Llttleiohns deed is bought of
Aaron G. Degraw, Of Jamaica. The United States
Government formerly had bock-house, during
the war of 1872 on this ground. aud also q Life
Saving Station. Whatever interest the Govern
ment may have in the property is also to be COW
cred by the purchase. The expenditure for the land
will be about $250,000. There are various other
owners interested IN the ground adjacent to that
which has been described and which may be n-
Guided. The most extensive of these adjacent lands
are held by Henry Hanson, of the Neptune House,
| and G. w. Isaacs, of New-York.
The landscape features Will he under the direc-
ton of Frederick Law Olmstead of this city, long
connected with Central Park. He has prepared a
report on the adaptabiliy of the property for the
purpose designed, which will be made public in a
few days. The architecture of the various build
ings will be adapted to the general features Of
| the landscape effect, and the buildings will
| be in kovVfug with each other, Thus secnr-
ing, under one supervision, harmonious whole,
free from the condemnation of styles that charac
terzes other resorts where various propretOrs erect
hotels and payilions without reference 70 each
other. On the point, at the western extreme, is to
be a huge pavilion. The view from this point is
wide varied and unsurpassed whether turns
toward the ocean. toward the Narrows, or across
the quiet lagoons to the mainland.
The new railroad to connect this resort with News
York is now under contract and extends nearly in
lima Tsla nah
Woodhaven, and crossing Jamaica Bay has its ter
minus for the present at point beyond the Nep-
tune House. The grading fer tho track along tie
beach is nearly complete and the iron for the rails is
already delivered About seven miles of the right
of way is secured. and the remainder will be OBJ
tanned as practicable. The road is called
theNew-York, Woodhaven and RockaNay Railway,
and has a capital of $1,000,000. The presi
dent is j. b. Thompson, and the vice-presi-
dent ID. D. Conover. This road is not
as yet identified with the main enterprise,
nor is it the only new approach to RockSwsy that
Is under consideration. An extension of the
Canarsie Road IS possible, 10 point within 500
feet of the beach, whence q ferry will land
passengers. If this road should connect with the
Manhattan Beach Road it would be one of the
quickest routes that could be obtained. Another
road would cross Barren Island. and this
also would connect with ROckaway Point
Channel mi'' By the New-York, Woodhayen and
Rockaway Road, the beach will be reached in forty
minutes from Forty Unlike the COney
Island roads. 1t will be built on a broad guage, 4
feet inches, upon which a high rate Of speed can
be obtained. A circular railroad, covering tho
whole ground similar to that at the Centennial EX-
hibition at Philadelphia, will be added 10 these
other railway facilities. Both express and accom-
modatiOn trans are to be run from New1oIk, tho
latter stopping at various points along the beach,
but the former carrying passengers to the park
without stOppage.
A gentleman prominently identified with the in
terests concerned in this enterprise stated recently
that the advantages at Rockaway Beach combined
l the attractions Of the best watering places both
in Europe and America. lie doubted If there we're q
place in all the world for which nature had done %
much ia providing what tired workers or persons OF
fashionable leisure desired for rest and recres ton
aud almost equslhng Central Park, there could be
used all the arts Of landscape gardening; room could
be found for race-courses and polO-grounds While
there would remain secluded groves and retreats
for those rho shoud desire 10 keep aloof from FASH
ionable amnsements. The unequaled line Of beach,
nearly twelve miles In extent, affords, he con-
timed all the advantages Of both surf aud still
water bathing, while in Jamaica Bay there is tho
best of fishing. Add to all this the nearneSs TO the
heart of this city only thirty minutes from Thirty
fourth Street Ferry, and nothing more could be de-
sired. The ADVANTAGES OF this resort will he
as great an advance upon those at COney
Island as these latter upon those of four years
ago there Furthermore, the bathing at ROckaway
will not be in water which Is dehied with all the
sewerage of three cities, which passes out through
the NaTrows and often renders the surf at Coney
Island very unpleasant.