The Portland daily press., 1884-07-09
Opening of the Chapman House.

The Chapman House at Rockbound Park,
Peaks Islsnd, was opened last evening. A
party numbering about thirty took the steamer
Mary W. Libby from Custom House wharf at
O'Clock and after delightful sail, the genial
Capt. King landed them at Tretethens Land
ing. few minutes walk over the hill by
narrow winding carriage road the pleasure
seekers come in sight of the broad Atlantic beat
ing in upon the points of land which make the
cove that borders the eastern end of Rock
bound Park. Passing along little farther
through grove of low fir trees the visitor
suddenly comes in view of the Chapman
House which rises like a castle of old upon
one of the most picturesque side hills of Casco
Bay scenery.
The interior of the house though at the
present time unfinished is handsomely furnish
ed with all the latest tyes of furniture seen ar
summer hotel The building, very artistic
structure, is 100 feet long by 81 feet wide and
contains capacious dining room. The
parlor, well furnished and prettly designed
room fronting upon the sea with doors leading
ont upon broad piazza receives the cool aud
refreshing afternoon sea breezss for which the
islands are famed. In this room is an old
fashioned fire place decorated with evergreen
mingled with bouquets of wild and cultivated
flowers, while upon the walls are hung several
pictures done by Mr.. William Aitken, the well
known artist.
In the upper stories are fully sixty high
studded, airy sleeping rooms, from the win
dows of each of which can be seen beautiful
picture Of intermingled sea and land. These
rooms are furnished with pretty bass wood
chamber sets and carpets of mating are on the
floors. The building has a hip roof around
which balconies and promenades are construc.
ted and from here enc can see the mighty At
lantic dashing up against the cliffs and stretch
ing away for miles Turning about the eye
falls upon the romantic Rockbound Park, a
tract of land comprising 100 acres, wit h large
gray rocks, hundreds of greenwood openings,
shady hooks and intricate networks of cury-
ing avenues, fringed with evergreen and
fragrant spruce. The ground slopes gently to
the water where bright sandy beach at one
point affords fine facilities for bathing in per-
feet safety. Opportunities for boating and
fishing may be also found here
During the evening Miss Chapman received
between two and three hundred people, among
whom were Postmaster and Mrs. Clark Barker,
Councilman and Mrs. Rand, Mr.. George
Thomas, Mr.. and Mrs. G. o. Bailey of the
Sunday Times, Deputy Marshal Crowell and
wife, DR.. LIE Prohon, members of the Weber
Club and others. The evening was devoted to
dancing and singing in the large hall off the
main entrance. The dance music was finnish
ed by Messrs. Riser and Richardson, while ex-
cellent singing was rendered by quartette
composed by Messrs. Turkey, Fernald, Stetson
and Thomas. Humorous songs by Mr.. George
Thomas ELECTED much applause and Miss
Georgia May Latham favored the visitors with
solo. Between and o'clock bountiful
collation. was spread in the dining hall and
late in the evening the steamer Mary W. Libby
brought the party to the city.