Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-08-18
HOWARD PARK,
Its Advantages Of Location and Sur.
roundinKs-Ge Description OF
the B0IIdlngs, Track, etc.

Tho Champlain Valley, one of the finest
sections of New England, rich in farm lands
and celebrated throughout the country for
the purity and excellence Of its live stock, has
long needed suitable ground and buildings
for the exposition of its products. At last
this need has been met. A noble park,
bearing the name of the phianthropist and
public bencfactor, John p. Howard, has
been provided for the purpose in this city
And it is fit that Burlington, centre of the
agricultural and mechanical industry OF the
Champlain Valley md the State, the chief
city of Vermont, unsurpassed in the advan.
tagcs of location and accessibility should
enjoy the honor and the benefit of this great
public enterprise, The situation Of the Park
amply demonstrates the wisdom of those
who chose our beautiful city as the fitting
place for its location. About mile south of
the business centre, ON as fine and smooth
natural level as could be imagined, yet not
beneath the line of view which admits the
beauties Of the lake, with its points aud is
lands, and the mountains beyond to be seen
on the direct line of railway, and reached
also by oneof the finest carriage roads leading
from the city surrounded by every natural
and acquired advantage without, and within
most admirably fitted for its intended pur-
pose, Howard Park may well be ranked
among the best and most attractive exposi-
ton grounds in New England aud Bur ing
ton is rightly proud of it.
A visit to the grounds discloses scene Of
busy enterprise and progress. Immediately
upon leaving Shel6urn street, one is surprised
to find broad and level avenue in place of
what was once the old picnic and excursion
by-way to RED Rocks"-Proctor street. A
large force of workmen under the direction
of Superintendent OF Streets A. H. Dow, is
employed in grading this handsome road.
way, now sixty feet wide. Arrived ut the
park, the first object of interest, of course, is
the grand entrance, toward the erection of
which MIR. Howard gave $1,000. Including
the main carriage entrance, fanked on either
side by the tasteful and elegant offices now
in process of erection, and the two entrances
for foot passengers, the grand entrance en-
tire is sixty-two feet wide. When finished,
it Will make fitting introduction to the fine
buildings and general attractions OF the park.
and will serve as a worthy reminder of the
generosity of him who gave it. The first
large building upon the right, which meets
the eye of the visitor, is devoted to Aiechan.
les and Floral Halls, the former on the
ground floor, and the latter in the story
above. The building is 100 feet long and 40
feet wide. 1t is snrmounted by a fine slated
roof and three handsome towers, the largest
one being in the centre. The outside is al
ready finished and painted handsome dark
brown. The inside is rapidly approaching
completion 1t will be cne of the finest and
largest buildings of the kind iu the country,
ample Accommodations for an extern
slve exhibit. Entering the main track In
front of Mechanics Hall, We next come to
the poultry shed, an open rooted
building rs feet long by 40 feet in width |
Benches will be provided running length |
wise, on either side the she'd for the poultry |
coops to rest upon, and, If necessary, accom- |
eau be furnished for several tiers
Of coops. Turning now to the west, we come |
first to the lower range of cattle sheds, rum |
ming east and west and then north and SOUTH |
Mt right angles There are $50 feet of these |
covered cattle sheds an the north aud west |
sides OF the ground, and 1908 feet, contin.
uous on the south side. The work is ex-
cellently and substantially done, the sheds
being rooted and shinged throughout their
entire length, and every stall nicely finished
upon the inside and provided with crib
Each stall is II feet deep and 8 feet wide,
and will accommodate two head of cattle.
The re are accommodations for 424 head of
cattle in the sheds alone, exclusive of other
temporary shelter which may be provided
In the angle formed by the cattle sheds at
HE northwest corner Of the grounds Is the
building devoted to the exhibition OF sheep.
This is one OF the most commodious and
finely appointed buildings OF the kind in the
country. 1t is 144 feet long and "A feet
wide covered with low slated roof,
and handsomely painted and finished
throughout. 1t has four rows of pens inside,
each feet long and feet wide. The total
number OF pens in the building 10 eighty-two,
and each is capable of accommodating three
Or four sheep, according to bulk. Just cast
of this building will stand Machinery Hall,
Upon which work has just been commenced.
This building will be 100 feet long by 90 feet
wide, and will be furnished with basement
n which large and powerful steam engine
will be placed, to furnish motive power for
he various kinds of machinery on exhibition
south of these buildings and near the south
west corner of the grounds, stands the man.
moth barn, for the accommodation of horses
II Is the longest building on the grounds,
being 266 feet in length and "a feet wide. Ii
contains eighty stalls, = by 10 feet in dimen-
lions, besides twelve larger ones, 10 by l2
Each one OF these stalls is as nicely finished
IS the lnfurnished room Of a house, and the
building In all its appointments Is u model
structure, and will well repay the study of
hose who are Interested In the keeping
If fine horses Returning toward the
entrance past the long line OF cattle sheds on
he south with their 200 booths, we pass the
trong stone supports upon which the grand
land istO be built This structure will be 284
&c, long and 81 feet WIDE and will afford seat.
ng capacity for 5000 people. Opposite the
,rand stand, and inside the central enclosure
will be the judges stand, which isin course OF