Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-03
CHERRYSTONE INLET.
A Delightful Place for Rest. Enjoyment and
Eating Oyters.

| Eating Oyters.
| Correspondence of The Evening Star.
CHERRYsToNE COTTAGE,
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, Va,
September l. 1891.
September, with the oyster season open, and
on lower Chesapeake bay is a concurrence of
| events that would make lover Of the luscious
bivalve smack his lips with fond anticipation.
This delightful spot. named as above, has
grown In favor 80 rapidly with those who have
been fortunate enough to visit it, that a few
particulars concerning it will be interesting,
especially as it is an enterprise started by one
of Washington's substantial citizens The
main building is a handsome structure, with
large airy rooms handsomely furnished. COM
modlous dining rooms. parlors and porches,
and an office and well-filled library for the ac-
commodation of guests. The building stands
directly on the beach of Cherrystone inlet, a
magnificent sheet of water, that has for years
been famous Tor producing that realization of
the gourmets dream-the Cherrystone oyster.
Apart from the main building is Cottage
Row." handsome structure, jutting square
out over the inlet about 400 feet and containing
thirty-fve rooms. Each side of this row is
covered in by porches, which makes the build
ing one of the most comfortable seaside habi-
tations 1t has been my good fortune to dwell
In The sanitary arrangements are novel and
perfect and the appointments of the rooms are
hrst-class, insuring thorough comfort in every
respect. Ball room, billiard room, bathing
beach and last. but by no means least a well
stocked bar room afford ample means Of amuse
ment to the seeker after good time. For the
tired out brain worker, the invalid or the
blooming beauty in search of health and
pleasure, this cozy resort offers attractions
that are rarely rivaled. Fishing, sailing and
bathing take up the larger portion OF each day,
while music and dancing finish up the evenings.
Northampton county has long been regarded as
sportsmans paradise. and those of my fellow
dwellers who have been out with dog and gun
have made bags that will be long remembered
by them. The scenery here, too tempts to out
door exercise. From the cottage porch the
inlet stretches away to the southwark over the
blue waters Of the Chesapeake. Sandy Island
sits like sentinel at the mouth of the inlet.
and away to the south and east may be traced
Cape Charles the southern extremity of the
peninsula, with its glistening white beach and
fringe Of lofty pines To sit on the long porch
and be famed by stiff breeze that comes over
miles OF crinkllng water is enough to wipe out
the memory Of the hot days in town. when
80 in the shade and the scorching asphalt
verify made this too solid flesh melt.
But the chief topic here and one that is dis
cussed on all sides is the Cherrystone oyster.
He is served to us for breakfast, swallowed au
naturel for dinner and forms the main feature
Of our supper. Here this delicious beauty is
found IN every stage Of existence, from the tiny
Such 1thcu OutO al oiu DOtlc VI IL DOOt.
where the 'spat' has just caught and developed,
TO the big, full-grown fellow that first tempts
your eye and then tantalizes your palate as no
other oyster on earth can do. Take a sail and
down a fathom deep under the green waters of
the inlet you will see them. acres of them,
growing and fattening awaiting the time when
their superb flavor will tickle the taste of some
statesman or Senator at Marshall s or Hancocks S.
The inlet stretches its broadcast Just in front
of the cottage, and then sweeps away to the
northeast its shores dotted with beautiful sum-
mer residences, among them the summer home
Of Mr. George G. Henning Of Washington.
The pine woods sweep down to the shores
Of the bays and creeks that make out from the
inlet proper, and in these creeks wild celery is
found in profusion, and the shooting blinds
that dot the surface of the water here and
there tell that this is the favorite haunt of the
"canvas-back' and the ''red-head.'
Taken all in all Cherrystone as a health re-
winter sanitarium. presents advantages that
can hardly be riyaled Its cool breeZes, COM
fortably appointed accommodations and well
kept table will win the heart of every new
conner and bring them back each succeeding
year to its spreading porches.
Its easy access from Washington is also
point not to be overlooked. The new line Of
steamers between Washington and Norfolk
afford delightful trip to Old Point Then a
brief sail Of an hour across Chesapeake bay to
Cape Charles five minutes ride to Cheriton by
rail and short drive through the pines and
you are on the porch OF Cherrystone cottage.
Blv.