Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-08-06
Local ann STATE Nems.
Friday, August 9, 1850.
THE REGATTA!
Lake MaranacoOk Opened 4
the Sporting World with
Great Eclat.
10000 SPECTATORS PRESENT
Old Winthrop to be the Niece,
of Boating Men for Years
to Come.
10000 SPECTATORS PRESENT
n GREAT SUGGEST
Scenes and Incidents of the Day.
Boat and Foot Races,

Though the first day chosen for the Omen.
ing of the beautiful grounds at Lake Mar,o,
cook was most unpropitious, the second
day could hardly have been more favor,b.
barring the severe rains of the previou,
hours. If the first day could have been nj,
the crowds at the lake would have bee,
larger by third or half. yet there were 50
many present yesterday that the inaugunl
dav must be termed a complete success. Tn.
early hours of the day were clouded and
indicative Of rain, but later the clouds beea,
to break, the people in the country got Their
teams ready for starting, while tile city folk,
flocked to the depots in the cities along III.
line of the railroad. Early arrivals at the
grounds found the fields and woods borderin,
the fenced grove fast filling with teams,
and all along the margin were booths and
stands and the usual concomitants of such
an occasion. The grounds filled very
rapidly as the trains began to arrive from
Bangor, Portland, Lewiston and Augusta,
each being drawn by two engines and made
up of from 10 to 90 cars. Everything was
in the neatest order, and the trains were
easily emptied upon the spacious platform,
and from there the people made their way to
tic grounds on either side.
LAKE MARANACook
Is there prettier village in New England
than Winthrop? 1t nestles close to its trans.
parent lakes like bashfrl Naiad ready to
step into the water. AID around rise the
orchard-crowned hills, dotted with thrifty
farm houses. An air of substantial comfort
pervades the town. The houses are milk
white with the greenest of blinds, shaded BY
naples and elms; the streets are clean and
well cared for; the people have prosper.
GUS look. What place this would be for
literary recluse, or a soul cast up ont Of the
fierce surf of city life! North Pond or Lake
Maranacook stretches out some six miles
north of the village, aad South Pond or
Lake Annabesacook about twelve miles south
To reach the race course you drive about
three miles up on the Readfield road, and
then take a road at right angles from the
main highway, which takes you to the resi-
dence of James Sedgley, Esq. who is the
owner of the beautiful grove now leased by
the railroad company. Half mile further
on you come to the shore of the Lake, which
is one of the most picturesque and charming
of the many beautiful interior waters of the
Pine Tree State. 1t is in the form of an OF.
fuse angle. the railroad crossing it at the in.
tersection. From its popularity of shape it
is always possible to obtain smooth water in
either the upper or the lower lake, as from
whatever quarter the wind may blow one or
the other is unaffected by it, thus rendering
p0stponement OF a race on account Of rough
water (the bane of oarsmen) unnecessary.
Four weeks ago the beautiful little grove
of six acres was in the 'forest primeval,
with tangle of underbrush. 4 crew of 80
men. under the supervision of Mr.. George
W. Wagg Of Auburn, roadmaster of the "a
division of the Maine Central, have been en-
ployed at this point. The air smells Of
burned wood, and the grove looks little
crude as yet, but it will soon be as pretty %
a picture.
A broad and substantial: platform. 700 fes
long. skirts the track at the station, from
which broad fights of steps lead down into
the beautiful grove which slopes gently to the
border of the lake. A substantial wharf and
promenade 30 feet wide extends along tbs
lake side for the distance of 500 feet, at The |
end OF which is boat house, two stories 10 |
height, with accommodations for so boats 90 I
the lower floor, the second story being devoi /
ed to bathing and dressing rooms. In the /
centre of the grove is large dancing pavl |
ion, with ample capacity for $50 couples 10
dance comfortably, with a neat stand for the
orchestra. Scattered in profusion through.
out the grove are pretty uncovered law
seats and barrels for ice water, neatly paint
ed and Ornamented. Across the raroa
track, on the border of the upper lake, is The
Park, which is to be laid out in system
paths and walks, preserving so far as is POI
slbie the natural rustic beauties of the place
Here is another dancing floor of like dinner
sions to the one in the grove, also coOi
house and refectory 60 feet in length
graded eighth of mile track for pedestri,i
contests, with outer and inner ratings, oc
cupies the centre of the Park Toilet rooms
for ladies and gentlemen are conveniently
situated. The buildings are neatly painted
and tastefully decorated in uniform style
An artist could desire no prettier landscar
studies than can be obtained from the groTe..
mere are choice blendings of light and
shade. of cloud and water One loop
through vista of tree trunks upon the ST.
very sheen of the lake which glistens in The
morning sun. Far across on the opposlk
size dark evergreens stretch clear down to ID,
waters edge. Back of the trees is shadea
pasture land where meek-eyed cows or
peacefully chewing their cud, careless OF ~
this ousfle and tumult Farther back Oh
s., 'the uplands wooded,
silver beeches, golden hooded
Set with naples, crimson blOOded,
Stretch away, far away"
How THE GROVE APPEARED.
1t was just II o'clock when the last tran
arrived and by this time the grove was alls.
with people, the number present being 90
many less than twelve thousand souls. Sons
ousied themselves in exploring the gIom
and examining its sights, others engaged !.
the merry dance in the pretty pavilion by tk
lake shore frinrain1r IL, rnusic flP