The Portland daily press., 1879-06-25
Dedication Of Lake Auburn Springs Ezo-
tel and Grounds.


A large number of guests from Boston,
Cambridgeport, Mass, Portland, Lewiston
and Auburn assembled last evening in the
spacious parlors of the new Lake Auburn
Springs Hotel, to participate in the opening
ceremonies of this new house. Mine host
Samuel Jenkins, made himself omnipresent
and performed the Inequalities of the day
and evening in successful manner. John
sons full band enlivened the occasion with
the usual fine music for which this organ
ization is celebrated. The steamer Capt.
Howard carried guests on several pleasing
trips up the lake by sunlight and moon
light. The arrival of the dinner hour, how
ever, was the climax of the affair. The
commodous dining hall was twice filled
and the repast was not finally ended until
between nine and ten O'Clock. The bill of
fare included all the desirable dishes of the
season; of.the cooking one could not take
exception, and in a word, the dinner was
success. The dancing commenced about
ten o'clock and into the small hours of
night the clatter of feet and music was
heard upon the night air. We will take
this opportunity to note briefly the history
of this enterprise and the prospects it af-
fords.
One year ago over underbrush, through
hills, gullies and in through the pasture
and wilderness, the traveller found beauti-
full spring gushing forth from granite and
white sand upon the west bank of the en-
tranciny Lake Auburn or Wilson Pond, as
it is sometimes called. This property was
then owned by Lucius Packard, thrifty
farmer, living in the village of West Au-
burn, half mile distant. The virtues of
the waters had not become generally known
until the summer of 1876, when many in
this section Frustrated by malignant type
of typhoid fever sought and found relief
from these springs The fame of the cura-
tive powers of the waters rapidly spread,
until VIM. Small, Jr., an active business
man of Lewiston, became interested in the
general introduction of the water to the
public. 1t was analysed by several assay
lists and found in the language of Prof.
Hayes of Boston to be "naturally areated
or charged with carbonic acid, oxygen and
nitrogen gases. 1t is alkaline, odorless,
tasteless, colorless, sparkling, and free from
any appreciate organic matter. This is an
uncommonly pure spring water" The
water was advertised extensively aud
large sale Immediately sprung up. By the
efforts of Mr. Small corporation was
formed, including some of the heaviest
financial business men of Lewiston and All
burn, and the project of the erection of a
summer hotel and forming the grounds in
to attractiveneSS was at once eliminated.
AS result we find to-day the wilderness
converted into paradise and one of the best
houses for summer travel to lie found in
the state. The scenery Astounding in this
vicinity is unsurpassed, and long has been
celebrated. The sdrive from the city up
around the lake through the villages of
East, West and North Auburn is unexcell-
ed and the most popular of any outside the
city. The lake is a beautiful sheet of wa
ter, four miles long and three miles wide,
and it affords ample opportunity for boat
handing view from its cupola of many
miles of surrounding country. 1t is dis
tant from Lewiston six miles and from
Portland forty miles. The Emain structure
is 120 feet long and 40 feet in width, con-
tanning fifty-six sleeping rooms nicely fin
ished, besides the parlors, office, dining
halls, smoking room, etc. Gas has been
introduced and water is pumped into the
building from the spring, which is located
about two hundred feet south and reached
by romantic walk through oak and maple
groves. A bowling alley and billiard hall
of large dimensions, stable IS feet square,
pumping station and barreling house, spring
house and gas works include the outbuild-
ings. The grounds are nicely laid out with
walks, forest trees, croquet grounds, etc.
The steamer to ply upon the lake has a car
rying capacity of 300 passengers and will
make daily excursions at various points on
the lake. A line of stages will run from
the Lewiston and Auburn depots connect
ing with each train. In conclusion it is
but just to add that to Mr.. Small is due
much credit for pushing forward this en-
terprise which has already gained popu-
larity that assures its success.