Smyrna times., 1888-08-01
THE BLUE MOUNTAIN HOUSE

This house IS certainly beautiful for
situation. 1t is reached by an ascent
OF 50 feet to the mile for "A number of
miles through varied and constantly
changing scenery. 1t OVerlOOks the
Cumberland Valley to the Northwest.
but the scope of vision takes in a view
of unsurpassing beauty to a Peninsular
man, ranging from the Northeast to
the Southwest. The Mountain House
is 400 feet above the sea level.
Imagine valley rich in fertile lands,
undertaking with grain fields, groves
and shade trees to add charm TO the
perspective, tleeked with comfortable
dwellings and ample farm buildings
stretching out for twenty, thirty, forty
miles with the Alleghanies serving as
a back ground to the picture, rising
like a thunder cloud Just above the
horizon-and you have the scene con-
stantly meeting the eye from the
pOrches of the Mountain House. Hag-
erstOWn, WaynesbOrOugh and other
towns are in the angle of vision, while
Gettysburg is off to the east, hid by a
spur of the mountains, but visible of a
clear day from the top of the noun
tains.
This valley was made historic by the
late Civil War. 1t was up it and only
few miles from the foot of this noun
tain that Lees army marched in his
invasion of Pennsylvania, and down it
he marched after his defeat at Gettys-
burg.
Penmar, a projecting ledge, a rock
where Pennsylvania and Maryland Join
land hence the name) is only half
mile below us on the road-a faVorite
place for Baltimore excursionists. 1t
is amply shaded, with excursion
houses, swings and other attractions
for visitors. 1t is a favOrite walk for
visitors at the Mountain House, includ-
ing Glen-aftOn Springs from which
both places are supplied with pure
spring water as it rushes from the
rocks, driven up by a force pump.
Yesterday after dinner eighteen of
the party started on a mountain climb
of six miles three each way. The OBJ
jective points were High Rock, two
miles from the hotel, where a much
more elevated and grander view is had
of the valley, and Quirauk on the
highest peak, 1000 feet above the hotel
or 2400 above the sea level. To give a
view above the tree tops and overlook
| ing the whole country from every
point of the compass, an iron observa-
tory has been built 90 feet high. The
| party when they reached this elevation
were warm and fatigued, but five min
utes in the breeze made them begin to
button up their coats, and in ten min
utes they were chilled enough to max e
the descent to terre frmd. The noun
tains appear like a mass of stone and
rock piled one on another, but from
among which rises a good growth of
chestnut, oak and pine trees.
But l have described everything
around but have forgotten to say any
thing of our hOstelrie. The Mountain
House was built some five years ago,
has all the modern improvements of
gas, elevator, &c, is splendidly furnish
ed, large furnished rooms, and has
capacity for 400 boarders. 1t ranks
with the finest and most fashionable
summer resorts, and the editors and
their female companions were fortu-
nate in being granted the liberal terms
they were. But they are especially
indebted to the Western MARYLAND
Railroad for free trip over any part
Of their road. Short excursions will
be made to HagerstOwn and other
places on the road and some design go
ing home by way of Gettysburg. A
dozen or more left to-day over another
road to the Lurray Caverns.
r. ID. II.
Blue Mountain House, Nd, July 80, 'SS.