The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-30
SEATTLE As A RESORT.

The commercial advantages of Seattle
have been the theme of all visitors on
their return "East''-in which comprehen-
sive term is now included all that portion
of the United States east of the Rocky
mountains; but it has another claim
which is fast securing recognition. 1t is
becoming the objective point for visitors
to the Pacific coast, whether they be on
pleasure or business bent. The principal
reason is that it is conveniently sit
uated as starting place for so many
scenes of interest 1t can be reached by
the Northern Pacific through some OF the
grandest mountain scenery in the world;
by the Canadian Pacific, whose cars trav-
erse some of the most grotesque and pic
turesque monuments of natures fancy;
1t IS no less accessible by the Union Pa
cific, which adds to its great scenic 'attrac-
tons through gorge and over stupendous
mountains the delights OF water trip,
which may be said to have all the charm
of an ocean voyage with none OF its dis
comforts.
Arrived at Seattle, there are spread out
ramifcations to a diversity of interests.
The immediate vicinity teens with at
fractions for the earnest inquirer and the
pleasure-seeker. Puget Sound affords the
finest example of scenery characteristic OF
the Northwest. The Olympic range is
there seen at its best: Mount Rainier, one
of the most marvellous monuments of ma
ture, towers above its hills; great sheet
of ocean water dotted with islands; the
wonderfully beautiful inland lakes, streams
of purest water flowing from snowclad
heights to the sea; and, as fitting climax
to the day g glories. those exquisite sunsets
which enthralI the artist and defy the pig
ments of his palette.
Within few miles are orchards yield
ing every variety of deciduous fruit, with
q profusion almost beyond credibiiity
soils adapted to all kinds of vegetables;
little further of are fields whose crops of
wheat run from sixty to seventy-fve BUSH
els to the acre. The rivers and waters
TEEN with life and the hunter can find
plenty of large and small game within
days journey.
To those in search of knowledge wide
field of observation is thrown open. The
peculiar fora and fauna entice the botan-
list, and the wealth of geological phenom-
ena affords absorbing material for the
reader of rocks and student of stones.
To those who seek to learn of new
avenues to commercial prosperity, possibly
no state in the Union offers more attrac-
tive features. The vast forests of giant
trees whose rings tell of four hundred
years of growth, are spread up the noun
tain sides. Beneath the surface are beds
of coal and treasures of iron extending
deep down into the bowels of the
earth. Beyond these, at a higher
altitude, are mines of gold and
silver in such great bodies that if the
hidden ore bears out the promises which
have been thrown open to observation by
huge glaciers that have split asunder the
stores of precious metals, there will be
such stream OF wealth poured out as the
world has rarely seen. Lime, fire-clay,
lead and zinc have been piled by nature
into great masses, rendering an incompar-
aDie lnHnlty OF resource.
To the traveller, Seattle is a convenient
point whence to visit the Ceur d. Alene
country, Vancouver Island. Portland, Or
egon; San Francisco, the Yosemite. and
the citrus regions of California. More di-
rectly east the railroads run through the
new Western states-territories but year
or so ago-to the Yellowstone Park, to
Helena, Montana; to Denver, Colorado;
and on to every part of the United States.
The mild temperature IN both summer
and winter offers hospitality at all periods
of the year. The seasons are well de-
fined but never run to extremes; and for
eight months the climate is so genial
that outdoor life is continued delight.
This combination of advantages affords
explanations of the marvelously rapid
growth of the state of Washington, and of
Seattle as its commercial center. Well
known as all these matters are, they need
repetition to those who have not wit
messed them; and they may well be re-
ceived with skeptical hesitation.
1t is wonderful state; a revelation to
the newcomer, a never-ceasing provider
to those who put forth their hand to share
its afduent bounty.