Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-17
OLD ORCHARD.
An Interesting Letter from our Carr,
pODdent-
OLD ORCHARD BEAoH. aug. ,s ,sss

oLD ORCHARD BEACH, Aug l6. 1885
Tot such famous resort as Old Orchard
'nis mas been a remarkably dull season.
Gsuaily the leading hotels have filed M in
july, but this year only one-rhe Sea Shora
mouse has had anywhere near the usual
number Of guests But about twa weeks ago
tue people from the large cities. unable, pre-.
summary to longer Withstand old sol. SC ,rcb.
ing rays with not breath of air stirring, and
sitef trying in vain to keep cool at home by
urinKlhg fabulous quantities of soda water.
aclo phosphates and lactarts, begun to come
III CROWDS oy every train. making lively busi-
ness Tor the hotel proprietors and employees.
II Is to the beautiful beach that Old Orchard
owes her popularity as a watering place.
without II, scattering farm houses or stately
pines would doubtless take the place of the
scores OF hotels and cottages. But NTH such
an attraction as Old Orchards, no place
IN these times could long remain unnoticed.
Nowhere on the Atlantic coast is there 80
superb beach as here. 1t is ten miles long
anu ABOUT 900 hundred feet in width from the
average high water mark to the average low
water mark and as smooth as floor. making
grand driving and promenade avenue upon
which hundreds of carriages may pass and
rel ass without interruption. and even at high
tide there Is ample room for two carriages
ABREAST The water along the beach tor
miles Is filled with merry bathers nearly every
DAY. Eleven o'clock is the fashionable hour
ana then may be seen the blue and white clad
oathers rushing down to the white crested
waves. Elaborate bathing costumes are not
much worn here but blue flannel with white
trimmings 10 the general outfit.
A visit to Old Orchard is not complete,
without taking a vail In ft,, sof ~
situated about quarter of a mile from the
railroad station, taking in on the way,
Fern Park. place of great natural beauty,
rich with the spoils of Nature" and the
Methodist Camp ground, fine natural tenn
pie with seating capacity for seven thousand
persons, where meetings are held almost con-
tinuously during the season. Picnic parties
to points of interest and yachting are very
popular and dancing, base ball, tennis, GRO
quet, bowling, billiards, card playing and the
novel have lost none of their old time popu-
larity. There are many distinguished people
here this summer, among whom might be men,
toned James Parton, the author Hon. John
Hay, Hon. j w. Buker of Washington, d.
c. President Cheney of Bates College, Sen
ator E. F. Wilbur of Boston, and John w.
Guiteau. member of Rev. DR.. Simpsons
praying band and brother of the ASSASSINATION
of Garfield
What Old Orchard needs now most of any
thing is pier. and possibly there may be one
before long. Such construction has been
talked of in pears past. and companies have
several times been started on $3.50, 900 basis
but never reached permanent organization.
But now. several New York capitalists are
interested in the matter, and are considering
the feasibility of purchasing the Rockaway
pier, which is for sale cheap. snd moving it
to Old Orchard. 1t is hoped that they will
receive encouragement sufficient to ensure
success for there is nothing that would so
enhance the popularity of Old Orchard as a
landing place for steamers. H.