Morning journal and courier., 1892-07-11
AT THE WEST SHORE.


mont..Improveme in the Fire
Experimentation Hydrants Re-
quired--visitors at the shore Cot
tages and Hotels Well Filled. Etc.
Savin Rock and Woodmont, New
Ravens twin favorite shore resorts, are
aunning close race for first place in the
estimation of the public. Both are grow
ing favorites and each is vieing with the
other to win the popularity which has SO
long chung to the rock. The past few
years have really marked new era in the
history of these summer resorts and the
progress shown in every respect speaks
well for enterprise and industry. But five
years ago Woodmont was a secluded spot
with few houses scattered here and there
and little heard of by the outside world.
To-day scores of pretty frame cottages
dot the lovely beach and inland and
three good sized and modern
hotels receive guests in goodly numbers.
The little colony of summer residents are
a social set and tie moonlight evenings are
spent in mirth and pleasure. Woodmont
differs from Savin Rock in one particular,
namely that its residents are, to large per
cent, composed of people living in various
parts of the state. Of course there are
tered all along the beach. The cottages,
many of which have been very recently
constructed, are of substantial character
and in many cases surrounded by large
and shady lawns. There are only two or
three piers extending into the deep, and
these are private. Woodmont should be
| supplied with good sized pier 30 that
| small boarts would not find difficulty in
effecting landing.
While Woodmont and Merwin Point
have been improving Savin Rock has by
no means been asleep. One need only go
back but few years to see the steady ad-
vance that this resort has made. A few
years ago property on Berch street could
have been bought at a low price, while to-
day the purchaser may expect to pay a
handsome figure for the choicest Of ths
building lots. No one can deny that the
rock affords beauties and advantages
found nowhere else in Connecticut. Its
easy access to and from the city give it
advantages over Woodmont. With the
introduction of electricity as a means of
locomotion the brilliant future of Savin
Rock can be easily foretold.
The recent big blaze in West Haven has
been a warning to the authorities. Here
tofore comparatively little attention was
given to the village fire department and
only within couple of years has a regu-
lsrly organized department been establish
ed. DR.. WV. Wilson of West Haven was
the first chief and still realms that posi-
ton. He was among the few to urge the
purchase of an apparatus, and its benefit
has already manifested itself on numerous
several damaging fires in the borough
within the past few years, but no more
than might be expected in a village OF
that size. The shore, too, has fell
the scorching tongue, but time and again
has prompt action on the part of tho au
thorities averted threatening danger from
the flames. Great praise is heard on al
sides for the fire department and railroad
employers upon their excellent work at tn,
late burning of the horse car stables. 4
large wooden house and church almost ad
joining the stables were saved when i
seemed impossible to check the fame
from devouring both. Nearly one hun
} dred and fifty horses stabbed were taker
out without single loss or accident
The question at present agitatini
the West Havenises is that bearing
on the placing of more hydrants in tn
village and at the shore. There are abou
twenty hydrants in the village at present
and it is generally conceded that at leas
ten more are required. Upon several oc
casions the department was called on, blu
was crippled by the absence of hydrant
in the vicinity of the fire. A large haut
engine has recently been purchased ant
several hundred feet of hose, and onl,
more water facilities are required to per
feet the system. One year ago the burgh
ers voted to locate hydrants, for each o
: which all appropriation of $50 per yea
, | was made for the use of water to hs sup
/ Mi hot INV
Water company. About twenty hydrant
we're located.
A number of residents in the villag
: have stationed hydrants on their propert
| at a personal expense. Among the latte
are D. s. Thompson on Main street, A. B
Brown, Mathushsk Piano company, Henri
Sutton, Horse Railroad company, F. E
Morgan and others.
A prominent official we'll versed in mat
ters pertaining to the fire department sale
when asked about the need o
hydrants that one should be placed
, at each of the following places: A
the corner of First avenue and Mai,
street, at the corner of Second avenue AM
| North Main street, on the north end o.
! | Oriental park at Savin Rock, at the corne
, of Campbell avenue and Ninth street, a
| the corner of Elm street and Washingto:
avenue, at the corner of Brown street ant
| aFcAuo, ot LILO COAAoI u " II
l | ion and Center streets, at the corner O.
!, Main street and Savin avenue, at the cor
ner of Wood street and First avsnue.
It is quite probable that the board o
burghers will soon recommend that tn
additional hydrants be purchased. Tn
| general sentiment seems to favor any i'm
provement in the fire department, and onl,
a few object to the adoption of better by
( | drant accommodation. The volunteer
under Chief Wilson are heartily commend
, | ed for the work which has been accom-
plished with the limited means at hand. /
/ number of boxes have been stationed, ant
! an alarm can be sounded by breaking tn
little glass window and pulling the knob
in about the same way as is done In tn
: city.
There is much complaint among tn
a | summer residents at Savin Rock becaus
no ready means of summoning the villag
fire department exists at the shore. A
, present telephone message to the hors
! car barn is about the quickest way to Civ
, an alarm, and the very few telephones a
/ the rock and the possibilities of not get
ting the line make the necessity of NOR
direct means very apparent.
: j. E. Wiley and family are enjoying sea
side life at Woodmont-on-the-Sou
As guests of Mr.. L. H. Freedman's fam
!, lily are Mrs. Saul We'll and daughter o
Denver, Col. Mrs. We'll was formerly Mis-
Freedman of this city.
F. L. Trowbridge and family are among
3 the residents at Savin Rock. They hav'
/ pretty home in Oriental park.