Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-08-24
LETTER FROM PORTLAND, MAINE.

ED, JOURNAL; I'VE are having very
fine weather here, and crops nrc doing
nicely.
Portland, situated on peninsula about
three miles in length by one.half TO three
fourths oil mile in width, at the head oi
Casco Bay, was originally port of Fal-
mouth, being set of in 1887. II was settled
in 1882, and now embraces within lite limits
sixteen Islands and parts of Islands, and
has in 1888, population OF about $4,000
1t has become n center Of summer travel
and its Islands as summer resorts prove
more popular every year. Perhaps some
OF your readers would like 10 know more
about at least some OF 1t, so will give az
near ns can a brief outline OF the princi
pal points OF interest on the route.
As the boat leaves the wharf and steams
out into the harbor, the city with its ship
ping, its warehouses, its tall spires, the
dome OF the city building in tie center,
and the old observatory on the nlanjoy
river before the spectator, forming one ol
the finest sights IN the country. Pro
ceeding down the harbor, the first object
of interest which meets our view is til,
breakwate,, which was built to protect
the shipping in the harbor from the
southeasieriy gales. IT was commenced
in 1886 and finished but short time
since. The Light House ut its extremi
| p,, ;ul, |.
built of iron. On the trip to Cushmg's
| Islands, after leaving the Break water, the
steamer pass the southerly end of House
Island where stood, in 1903, an old block
house, which has given place to modern
earthworks, granite walls, bastions and
bonn b. proofs. This Tort bears the name oi
\ Fort Seammell, IN honor OF Col. Alexander
Seammell, n brave army officer Of ihe Rev.
olution. 1t commands four channels lead.
ing into the larbor. Directly opposite, OF,
Spring Point, is Fort Preble named after
Commodore Edward Preble, u harbnr de-
fense Of earthworks which have taken place
oil the old granite and brick walls of wl,icl,
it was originally composed. Here is sta
toned the harbor garrison. Farther along
| the coast is the Portland Head Light, u
white fred light 101 #. above the level oi
the sea-the first Light House built on this
coast, and lighted for the first time Janu
airy 10, 1901. Leaving Ottawa Landing
the steamer soon reaches the wharf, called
White Head Landing, built three year.
since for the accommodation of Island
visitors. From this point the tourist car
more easily reach the summit of the nobl,
cliff, White Head, that rears itself precipi
tously in three distinct masses, reaching {
height of 100 to $50 IT. aud forming a nat
ural breakwater to the eastern entrance o
the harbor. The view from the lookout il
an easterly storm, as the white crested
waves roll in and break at the base of th
cliff, is grand. Passing House Islant
wharf, the noted fish curing locality, di-
rectly IN front lies Peaks Island, II mile
in length and II in width, presenting a
we approach some of its most beauliiu
and attractive features. Greenwood Gar
den, with its grand old oaks, shady retreats
bathing facilities and cool, commodiou
dining hall, has been fenced and fitted int
beautiful summer garden, enclosing with
in Its bounds menagerie of wild anima
and birds, skating rink, bycicle cours
dancing hall, seal, fish and lobster pont
&c. Also the most beautiful grove of I'll
Bay, containing about six acres. The pa
two weeks there have heen musement
day and night, and hundreds OF people 6
!, from the city to spend the day.
There is expected to be quite an abu
dance OF good apples of Cape Elizabeth tn
e year, and the boys are patiently waitir
for them to ripen, as they generally make
: great raid on the orchards.
It There WAS party OF eighteen your
. ladies and gentlemen arrived here fro
Cincinnati, who left that city about "
= weeks ago for ~ pleasure trip in the ea'
y They have been travelling constantly sin
I leaving home. Some will remain in Il
- city while others will go to different place
e and will all meet at a stated place wh'
q ready TO return home and go back by WI
A of Saratoga and Lake George.
a Respectfully, M. A. Z.
PORTLAND, MAINE, Aug. 13, 1888.