The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-07-09
FINEST PALACE IN THE WORLD.
Young George Vanderbi1t's Aim in Life
His Estate in North Carolina.

1t is interesting to learn that an
American gentleman, for lack of bet
ter employment has set himself the
task of constructing the most magnif-
cent house, to be surrounded by the
most beautiful landscape and park eff
fects in all the world. barring no pal
ace, mansion, castle. royal or ducal
country seat whatever. Every one to
his taste! To plan, perchance to
achieve, such a triumph as this is at
least as rational an undertaking as to
strive to own a horse that will trot a
mile in two seconds less time than
Maud S., or the fastest yacht aioat, or
more miles of railway than any other
man living. But it is a within that very
few men in the world could afford to
crafty, and our readers may be pre-
pared to hear that the gentleman who
has taken this extensive contract is a
least a Vanderbilt-M George w.
Vanderbilt.
The site of Mr.. Vanderbilt's chateau
or castle lies three miles from the lit
tie station of Biltmore ON the Western
North Carolina railroad. two miles
east of AShevillC. A small manufact-
uring and industrial community has
sprung up at Biltmore solely on ac-
count Of the Vanderbilt chateau. A
railroad has been built for the trans
portation of material, supplies, ETC.,
from Baltimore to the site selected.
The estate purchased by MI. Wander
bilt. comprising nearly 5000 acres
stretches away four miles from Bit
more. over hill and valley, and mount
Ind IF
charming scenery. The site of the
chateau is an elevated plateau com
manding a glorious view of mountains
and of the sparkling French Broad,
--GHniGg dGwI % SSc .Gra O. S9no-
vile in the distance. The huge en-
bankment is completed. The contract
for the retaining walls of masonry, 400
feet long 40 feet high, 20 feet thick,
has been let.
The skill and taste of r. M. Hunt,
the architect. and Of Frederick Law
Olmstead the landscape engineer, who
laid out Buffalo Park with so much
success, are enlisted in the notable
project. Into the making of the plans
for the chateau and its surroundings
will 90 the fruit of careful study by
competent commissioners of the finest
examples of castles in Europe.
There may be hints Of several historic
seats in the new chateau on the French
Broad, but the whole will be unique,
not equaled by any similar place in
the world.
1t is estimated that this great coun-
try seat will require ten years for COM
Dletion and an expenditure of $780,
900 or $40. 900, 900. The whole scheme
is a hopeless riddle to the unsophisti-
Gated natives in the vicinity; but they
are not disposed to quarrel with the
within or question the sanity of man
who sees fit to furnish an army of la
boring men with employment for
term Of years in this manner. When
it is finished, although money cannot
buy some of the historical associations
and other accessories which give many
of the old world piles their chief dis
tinction, it is possible that the place
will indeed be SO rare and fine Il thing
In its way as to give 1.-The House that
Vanderbilt" real artistic distinction of
its own-an honorable and worldwide
fame. We cannot help regarding it as
hopeful sign when Cr@sus begins to
feel an impulse to try to do something
or make something that shall excel
anything of the kind yet accomplished,
if it is only noble house set in an
ideal landscape. -Ba1faj0 Commercial.