The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-08-05
OKABENA HOME FOR SALE.
THE SICHTLIEST PLACE IN MOBILES
COUNTY,

which we have always claimed was and !
is the sightliest place in the county.
In fact, we have had our eye on it for
nearly fifteen years and have always
entertained the hope that by some
stroke Of good fortune it would come
into our possession for a suburban
home. We have no doubt that our
dwelling upon the fine points IF the
place, ('bea"tiful for situation" aud
country seats.) had something to do
with inducing Mr.. Sykes to buy it,
A few days ago we strolled over it
again, as we have done scores of times,
following this time the line Of the tim
Der on the west and north sides, and
then coming downward over some of
the beautiful elevations which over
look town, lakes and country for
miles. AS early as 1872 we had select
ed from ten to twenty fine elevations
on the place made on purpose for coun.
try seats and had anticipated the day
when it would be cut up into five, ten,
or twenty acre homes, each knoll
adorned with the residence. of some
rich or well-to do business man. Even
| this will be realized in due time.
Meanwhile it can be occupied and
farmed as the finest farm for situation
in Mobiles county, and the occupant
| can have his choice of routes to town
and of building sites. If he wishes, he
can build on the high lands to the
north and have road to town past
the Mitchell and Forbes places. If he
prefers the lake side he has the lake
shore road, or 'bully-vard" into town.
Among the many good points about
the place are the following:
!. Proximity to town. To persons
who wish to be within easy reach
of the society, schools, etc. of the town
the place is just what is desired. The
east line touches the lake at the cream
cry and is virtually in the village SUBJ
urbs.
2. Lake front. The lake front be-
gins at the creamery and winds along
to the timber belt on the west side, a
distance of half a mile or more. After
reaching the bend of the lake and turn
ing from the Luverne road, the finest
plateau on the farm, or in the county,
is reached. 1t slopes lakeward and III
all other directions, and affords an ele-
vatel building site overlooking town
AMI lake, which could scarcely be i'm
proved upon by any art of landscape
gardening. This includes the famous
stony point jutting out into the lake
and forming on either side Il l,arbor
for boats. This half mile of lake front
could be cut up into number of lake
front lots for suburban homes.
8. Water supply and springs. In
clearing up the lake shore this season,
Mr.. Sykes discovered ii number OF
springs on the place: coming out 1T the
bank above the level Of the lake. The
farm therefore las lake water in abun-
dance along half a mile of the front,
springs extending from the ti.nber on
the west to some distance this side of
the point, and OF course we'll water
wherever parties choose to dig.
4. Unequalled building sites. This
we have often alluded to before. There
are from ten to twenty building sites
on the place made on purpose to build
on. The slope of the farm is gradually
toward the east and south, but the ele-
vations are sach that they all slope
right for grounds and buildings with a
general lay to the east and south, so
that a splendid view of the town, the
lakes. the railroads, etc., is had from
any part of the uplands.
5. Meadow land. About IS acres of
the farm lays in the fiat between the
upland and creamery. It is natural
meadow where the grass crop never
fails.
6. Grove or timber belt. This is sew
ecal rods wide and extends from the
lake shore to the north side of the
place. or to the Luverne road proper,
and for some distance along the north
side also. The trees are now large and
afford an excellent win d break to the
whole farm. Parties say they can feel
the effects of this grove half mile
away, in coming to and going from
town.
In recent interview with Mr.. Sykes
he said substantially:
After a good look over the country
my choice for a location settled on
either what is now called Okabena
Home or on the quarter across the
lake where the fair grounds now are.
As the latter could not be bought at
the time, 1 at once secured the Home,
40 acres of Mr.. Grimes, of Window,
and 154 acres of parties in st. Paul.
That was in the spring of '76. Had it
surveyed at once and about 20 acres
broken. In 1877 the present forest was
set out, being the size of wheat straws
and in number q 600. The balance OF
the broke land was cropped by S. Nc.
Lean. Everything grew and matured
to perfection, there being over loo
bushels gathered that fall, $40 bushels
being the best hard spring wheat. The
balance of the crops were oats, pota.
toes, corn. buckwheat, beans, ETC.
Have not resided here since and Am
not posted as to crops in detail, but
have noticed the best of crops growing
on the place during occasional visits
Mr.. S. says he thinks fully as much OF
this country as he ever did and appre
ciates the Home as in years past, and
his only reasons for Offering to sell are
age, physical condition, and situation
: in life elsewhere. He thinks he has
put the price at a very reasonable fig.
ure.
Mr.. S. offers the whole 194 at S27 an