The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-10
A FINE MATAToRlUM
To be Established at Blue Ridge
Springs This Summer.

There might be sore artificial ones
constructed at reasonable expense by
damming water gaps at suitable points.
What human being does not enjoy dur
ing the hot depressing days of summer
plunge in cool refreshing water. Roa-
noke has got to have natatorium and
has got to have it this summer.
In view Of this pressing need Mr..
Phil. f. Brown, the enterprising pro-
prietor Of Blue Ridge Springs, proposes
to establish fine atatorium at that
popular summer resort of Roanoke's
best people. Blue Ridge Springs and
hotel are so near to Roanoke that what
ever is done there may be reasonably
claimed to be part of Roanolse's enter
prise. The hotel is always crowded
when open and this proposed plan will
add even more to its popularity.
Nearly every Northern city of prom
inence has expended thousands of
dollars in establishing swimming pools,
which repay the cost Il hundredfold in
the health and sturdiness which result
from frequent bathing in clear water.
The latest of these cities is Washing
ton, where Congress has appropriated to
lay out and equip free swimming
beaches on the Potomac.
Mr.. Phil. f. Browns plan, and it is one
which will meet with immediate and
hearty support, is to establish nata-
torium at the springs to consist of two
large iools with Il brick partition wall
between them; one to be used exclu-
sively by gentlemen, and the other by
ladies, and each pool to be 40x70 feet.
The water will be furnished from a
clear spring, and by passing through
coil of pipe in a boiler can be raised to
temperature of s5 degrees to &C de-
grecs. The water will be conducted
into each pool by pipe arranged in the
center as fountain, there by . affording
shower bath. in addition to the plunge
bath.
The structure will cover both pools
and will be arranged with a view TO
comfort and convenience. Each bathcr
will have private dressing room. The
pools will be substantially built of rock
and cement and the bottom covered
with sT ooth selected pebbles. A sep
arate department will be arranged in
each pool where children can battle in
perfect safety.
1t is believed that s4,50O.00 will he
ample to erect and equip the natator-
ium. The price paid for sufficient land
upon which to erect the natatoriun,
with right of ingress and cgress, will
be S., 0000 in paid-up stock of the COM
pany. The perpetual right to the use
of the water from the spring will not
exceed $3.50 per season. The shares
of the company will bo S1O,O each, pay
able So upon organization, and 50 every
thirty days thereafter. The shares will
be non transferable until the same shall
have been offered to and refused by the
directory of the company. Ten shares
will entitle the subscriber to rs per
cent discount, and anyone taking 20
shares will have free ticket for his
family. TIE holder of every five shares
shall have a reduc ton of so per cent. on
all baths, the holder of three shares o5
per cent. and the holder of one share 10
per cent.
When stakeholder wishes a bath, no
money will be required; he simply
leave with the keeper card With his
name on it.
There will be no salaried officers. The
cashier Of the Springs will keep the bath
accounts in connection with his Office
duties, column being ruled for this ac-
count on his cash book. The only ex-
pense will be the hire of man and maid
servant to keep the pools, towels, etc :,
in proper conditions 1t is, therefore,
very evident that this enterprise must
pay good dividend Guests of the
Springs will have to pay twenty-tiv
cents for each bath, if not stockholders.
When sufficient amount of stool. is
subscribed, charter will be asked for
and officers elected.
From this prospectus it is q plat n
thing that the institution will not onlv
be great benefit but profitable enter
prise. The cost of running the com
pletcd naiatorium will not be in excess
OF IS day and its receipts during the
season will frequently run over SIS.
Such enterprises are very profitable
elsewhere and like all well-planded af.
fairs in this section will be even more
successful here.
The plan by which a shareholder can
have free baths makes strong induce