Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-19
LETTER FROM ASBURY PARK.

A Wonderful Popular Resort Created from,
the Wilderness How Asbury Park was
Built Up-What May Be Seen There-Wes,
ley Lake and its Animated Scenes
Special Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR
MANSION House.
ASBURY PARK, n j., Aug Ia, 1892 7
Among the popular resorts OF this country As
bury Park most certainly must be placed in the
front rank. And it has marched to this promi-
nence from wilderness, wholly unnhabted IF
teen years ago. DeniZenS OF even Jerseys inland
villages, many of them, are still ignorant OF its
grandeur and magniticence and popularity as a
place where the citys weary and heavy laden''
may find rest and joy. Less than ten years ago
the railroad was run down the coast from Long
Branch, and 1t was about that time that Mr. Brad
ley, wealthy New York merchant. purchased
what is now the Park for 800 600, and Immediately
commenced converting its 500 acres into the pres
ent most beautiful and picturesque spot, contain
ing some 9OO hotels and cottages, many of them
elegant and costly, some dozen churches, long
street OF shops and stores, fire engine-house and
good public hall, with permanent population
OF some 1000. as am informed. The post office
does the largest business OF any seaside resort in
the country, except Newport. Ten years ago the
assessed value OF the property here was about
SlOOUOO. NOW 1t has reached about $1.50C.9O The
streets and avenues are broad, and building lots
are 5O Ieet wide by l50 icet deep, and more than II
miles OF street sewers have just been completed the
nam one employing into sandpits at one end of the
Deach, from which tn sewage is pumped every
night and discharged 1n'o the ocean when the tide
Is going out. Lots are worth from several hundred
to several thousand dollars. At one time, last
April, 142 new houses were going up, ranging in
cost from S1,C0O to $4,000; and thus the work OF
building and improving is going on.
But one or the great attractions OF Asbury Park
and its
SISTER RESORT, OCEAN GROVE
Just across beautiful Wesley lake-is the plank
walk, some two or more miles in length, by an
average width OF twenty feet, along which are ar.
ranged countless wooden benches with comfor-
table backs and at about equal distance, reaching
far out into the dashing surf, three monster
pavilions, varying in capacity for solid human
comfort from 1900 to 5000. This is something no
othef Waterng-place lave ever seen can begin
to produce, and then, you Just ought to see the
walking, talking. laughing, skipping, romptng
humanity that comes, 1t would seem, from the
four quarters or chriStendOm and the 'reSt of the
world 10 exhibit itself and take airing, while
old ocean keeps up the ceaSeleSS beating OF her
sides against the beach alongside. Such costumes!
"hat? CHINA and the Indies could not produce
more grotesque ones than some, nor the Hoosier
towns and Yankee farms than Others, while the
wealth and taste of the citys most fashionable
ana loud centerS could produce no more beautiful
and costly apparel than that worn by hundreds of
the "fair sex" during these evening promenades
Last Sunday evening it is estimated that 40 600
humans, OF all sizes and shapes, were out enjoy
ing this magnificent walk, and wish all Wash
lngtOn could have witnessed the spectacle from
sURGING CROWDS,
but never such an ona. There was no drunken
ness, no loud, boisterous talking because intoxi-
eating liquors are not sold here except on sur
geons certlflcate, but every face depleted delight
and pleasure nowhere else to be seen. And yet
one could scarcely refrain from shouting at some
OF the sights Parties of tours and skies, intent
only on the admiration of each other, dressed "to
kill" and evidently thinking they were killing at
every step suddenly brought to a stand-still by
company OF as many "cuilud pussons," equally as
self-composed, and occupied and fortified, was
"t0O utterly too to be overlooked and enjoyed;
and then that gay and fancy-moustached young
man, with the tender maiden dressed in rainbow
colOrs, how ridculously absurd he looked, putting
on " airs OF temper" as an old man, very like one
or Neptune's nymphs, washed some OF the colors
OF the dress together as he brushed abruptly past
her In his bathing suit And then wonder and
admiration fill the soul that nearly all this mass
ligent flash Of the eye it recognizes friend in
the crowd; the hasty but warm grasp OF the hand
as friends meet and pass along; all the desirable
very few foreigners are here.
Another series OF grand views may be had on
and
AROUND WESLEY LAKE,
which, as have said, separates Asbury Park from
Ocean Grove. There are about five hundred boats
upon this beautiful sheet of water, many OF which
are licensed conveyances between the Park and
Grove, the Others being the pleasure boats OF the
residents Most OF the passenger boats have
sarled co9red awnings and cushioned seats
sons. In the evening these boats each have from
two to four and six Chinese lanterns
look. passing and repassing each other with their
fright :, Of happy Humanity, their hundreds Of
bright lights swinging In the air rejecting their
many hues in the ripping waters, you viii have
presented to your gaze oneef the loveliest scenes
that can be pictured. Nothing comparable to it
can be seen in this country or any other. It may
pc said to be well worth a: "trip from Washington
TO witness There are two other lakes within the
limits OF the Park-Sunset Lake and Deal Lake
Doth very fine sheets OF water along the banks Of
when are located some OF the best hotels and
finest cottages here.
But TOO much OF letter at first may be wasted,
ana I'll rest, although much more might be said Of
this place to Washngtonians, who am convinced
we ho come ar mere mere IN II they knew IL as
Grove, Sunday, | met II. Clay Stewart and wife,
B So 6ne way this tabernacle capable Of seating
Least 1000 worshipers were in hearing of Chaplain
McCabe'S sermon. A. H. S. d.
A RAMPANT LEMoN DEALER.-Mark Sauer, an