Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-07-23
CITY OF GREENVILLE.
IFS BUSINESS AND PLEASURES
4 City OF Fine Residences and Thrifty
Surroundings Great Need OF
Railroad 10 Grand Rapids

State. Il sas incorporated a city IA lssO,
and II possesses many of the advantages
with few OF the unpleasant features Of many
of our larger cities.
The people are chiefly New Euglanders
noted Tor Intelligence, enterprise and thrift
and they have succeeded by their wise fore
thought IN building their town, IA making II q
very desirable place OF rezidenoe. The location
was well prepared by nature for such a town,
ana man having also done his part well
ought 10 leave few things required to make
II a pleasant place 10 live Ia, and such is the
case.
Greenville Is located on high ground thus
giving II excellent drainage, and the surface
OF the country about II sufficiently broken
and varied 10 give il a decidedly picturesque
appearance. The streets are wide, generally
lined with rows of beautiful trees. and are
kept III perfect condition. On one street,
which Is not ii narrow one either, the branch
es of the trees come together over the mid
die of the street thus giving the street de-
hghtfully cool and inviting appearance.
THE BUSINESS PoBTIos.
The business of the city in
the mercantile line is done
chiefly on Lafayette street, which pre-
sents good many well built business blocks
of two and three stories. 4 number of
them are built of brick and would do credit
10 much larger cities. The stores are many
of them large'and well lighted, and carry
stocks of goods, and present an appearance
that indicate a large aud prosperous trade.
The business men of the city are evidently
doing healthful trade and appear happy
and cOntented.
RESIDENCES.
The people of Greenville have evidently
devoted good deal of cash and attention TO
their homes and have brought much good
taste to bear In their location and construc-
ton. There Is very large proportion of
what may be termed elegant resdences, and
many more, which though not especially ele-
CANT, are coy and show evidences of good
taste on every hand, Among the more pre-
tentious residences of the city may be ennm-
Grated those of \. Slaght, +. Middleton, T.
y. Wright, James Belknap, l.. J. Ecker
Leroy Moore, Chas. Church, JEFF Potter,
Vim. Backus, ID. Horton, DR.. Martin, John
Foster, j. 5. Crosby, Geo. Collin, L. +.
Gibbs, Joseph Shearer and many Others,
which are well built and many of them sur
rounded by fine lawns. etc.
SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ETC.
The public schools have been under the
superlntendency of Prof. T.. i. Church for
the past six years and are IN a prosperous
condition. There are three school buildings
IN the city, one OF which, the Central school,
cost about $4,000, and IL an ornament to
the city. The requirements of the schools
Will demand another building next year.
The enrolment last year was 800 out of "A
total enumeration of S47. To instruct this
number of pupils sixteen teachers, besides
the superintendent, are employed. The
Superintendent receives a salary of Sl,500
per year and the teachers from 500 to $500
per year. The primary and intermediate
teachers receive $500.
The total expenses of the schools amount
TO about $4,000 per year. The various re-
llgious organizations are well represented
In Greenville. The Congregational Church,
of which Rev. j. l.. Patton u pastor. l. an
elegant building erected at cost of SO
600. The Methodist Episcopal Church
building is also creditable. while the Bap-
fists, Catholics, Episcopalians. Free viii
Baptists and Adventlsts, also have churches
and are prospering.
Edwardss opera hall has seating capa-
city OF 200, and has recently been put into
fine condition. There are two of the finest
skating Kinks to be found IN the State, one
of which, owned 10y Mr.. T. j. Phelps. OF
Keiths Exchange Hotel. Is being converted
into an opera house which will have seat
ing capacity of about 1900.
PLEASURE RESORTS.
Greenville, like most towns ia Michigan
has her beautiful lakes in the near vicinity
of the town. which are used as places for
pleasure resort IN fishing, boating, etc. The
most popular Is Baldwin lake. located about
one mile from the town. II il about three
miles In circumference and very deep. and
near by II il Fatal lake which ha- a circum-
ference of only about eighty rods, but i also
very deep. IL has an Indian legend con
.t.lx b.as. -, -
surroundings of Baldwin lake are very beau
tifUl. and fine drive has been constructed
along the beach. As a resort II Il very pop
ular. Lake Como. which j. about one mile
long. is also near Baldwin lake and Lake
WOOdbeck about four miles from the city is
a very popular fishing resort. There are also
numerous other lakes IN the vicinity Of
Greenville which are highly prized by the
people.
THF corNTY
The price Of land in Monicalm county
range= from $40 to go per acre, according
20 location and improvements The land IN
the vicinity Of GreeDville Is n rich sandy
lOam with a clay subsoii and is well watered
by a number of streams and lakes. The
surface Of the county generally u rolling
hut not hilly. and the land is regarded a.
very productive where properly cultivated
The country for miles about GreenvIile is
now golden With the abundant harvests
ready for the reapers. Large croIS of oats.
I corn and hay are also raised IN the vicinity
and the country everywhere presents the AZ
pearsnce n thrft and prosperity.
eKEFSVuIF's cBEar VIVID.
TIE great need of Greenville to-day 4.
another railroad giving her railroad counec
tions with Grand Rapids vhich - be-
F natural market. and from which she wonid
T reoeive her supplies Il the railroad facilities
were such as - permit g. The ner
Z chsnts generally say they v0uiC
rather bny their goods - 6rauf
T Rapids than Detroit bit a. rnatters nov
f stand they ran PEI goods quicker snd efsar
f er from Detroit than from frrsnd Rapids
E = bet cifizeus n f5reenviile want - the eorn
E pletiou n TIE road from f4reenrilIe - Roct
+ ford and thence - the q. p 4 T. ~ Crane
4 Rapids The rzht n wsF has beer %
tsiued ard the road b4d graded sDd cuivert.
. PIT 10 from point three miles beyon'
f4reeuviile r. Rockford. Mss=rs p Md
. 5leton Wrn. Back1s and others nsvs uur
ehs-ed ire night ~ vsy grades err. ~ fFf
lire and arf wiling - make srF reason slsi
sr-anzsT1erts fo- ere corp ietiUr - -
rad Suot road v01l5 opeu ur - frsni
Rapids merchants neT snd r7eh fsld =
trade vh1ch properly teiougs r. then,. tr
uhict u noE practically i.ey1r1 fheir rsact
TIE -as6 should uitirrstalg - ext4r.de.