Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-17

winthrop woke up one morning to find itself
famous. For years it has nestled beside IL.
crystal lakes, like an enchanted village wait.
the coming of some fairy prince to break the
spell and release it from its state of semi
somnolency. 1t was not fairy prince. but
rudy -faced, shrewd business man pav.
son Tucker of Portland, superintendent Of
the Maine Central Railroad, who came IN tho
rescue. Six acres of land were purchased on
the shores of Lake Maranocook; money and
men were furnished, and soon the fame Of
the resort was blazoned far and wide.
| We doubt if there is prettier town in
New England than Winthrop. Standing m
Webb's hill, on the Augusta road, in summer.
or in early autumn, the scene that greets the
eye cannot be painted in words. 1t is bean.
tiful beyond description. Two lakes lie
above the village and a third below. Thev
are gems, set in emerald as rich in color as
the frame to the famous Killarney lakes in
Ireland 'Mount Pisgah'' towers like
grim sentinel, keeping watch and ward over
the town.
Some three miles above the village is the
grove on which the Maine Central folks have
so lavishly expended their money to adorn
| and beautify. The track runs directly through
this, and a station with all of the usual ac
Communications has been erected upon the
grounds Many improvements have been
made in the grove since last season. All the
projecting stumps and stones have been re-
moved and the surface covered with tan,
which prevents any dust from rising. The
banks have been sodded over and the whole
surface is as free from obstruction as house
floor. A large addition to the grove ha. been
cleared up, making it nearly double its for
mer size. Among the new buildings that
have been erected is large and handsome
dining hall, capable Of seating several hun
dred persons at one time. The upper story
is parted of into sleeping rooms for the ac-
cOmmodatiOn of boatmen and others who are
obliged to stay over night. Two circular
buildings of fancy pattern, to be used for
baggage rooms, have also been added, to-
gether with several small buildings for vari-
GUS purposes. Opposite the grove, and
short distance out into the lake, has been
built handsome band stand of a Chinese
pattern, and finished in fine style.
All these buildings are painted in uniform
colors and style, and its name and use is
lettered on EACH The company have also
built turn-table for turning their locomotives,
and long distance of side track. No money
or pains have been spared in these improve
ments, and they have succeeded in making
what they intended-one ofthe most beautiful
groves in New England. On the lake also
much work is being done for the accommoda
ton of those wishing a boat ride. The
steamer Yosemite, capable of carrying 200
passengers, is being refitted and will make
regular trips between Winthrop and the grove
on the days of excursions She is owned BY
rOad-master Wagg and engineer Lucas of the
Maine Central. The steamer Annie, owned by
S. G. Davis of Winthrop, will run between
Readfield and the grove, and the Messalonskee
will also ply on the lake, although on no stated
route. Wharves are being built for their
accommodation, and by the day of the music
al festival everything will be complete.
At the depot in the village the Company
have made great improvements. They have
filled in with dirt on the east side of the
platform and have sodded it over. Outside
of this is to be fence; in the centre OF the
grounds, on either side of the depot. there
are raised diamond shaped grass plats. and
at the ends circle, on top of which are flow
er beds. A small portable lawn fountain is
to be put upon the grounds, which look very
attractive.
The opening at the Lake will be the grand
musical festival June odd to be followed by
the band tournament, boat races, excursions.
temperance meetings and various picnics and
other entertainments which will be cOntinu-
ally occurring to verify our predictions that
it will be lively place this season.