The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-18
1t VIII Soon Become the "~Saratoga Of
the WeSt.''
Mr.. G.. f.. BcckIin1 and Local Capitalists
VIII Erpend a Large sam fn Ma.fn9
Summcr Resort of the IoTn.
The Calvin Fletcher Place Purchased for
This Purpose.
The Great and Cnsurpassed Natural Beauty
ofthe Placed Grand to BE Laid Ont
The Proposed improvements.

In all Indiana there Is not q fairer spot
than the country Immediately adjacent to
Spencer, Ind. There have been men who
nave Travelled all over the civilized world.
who have Witnessed the natural and arti-
fetal splepdor OF Oriental chimes. who. upon
visiting Spencer. have at once, and without
hesitation. pronounced it q place whose
natural advantages are unsurpassed any
where III the United States. The town
itself Is beautifully located. but it is the
territory bounding IL to the north whose
great and varied beauty at once attracts
the eyes of the stranger and
ever after counts him among its
many and growing admirers. The beauty
OF this garden spot had been witnessed by
so many people of prominence and had
been hcralded broadcast SO uninterrupted
Is that the other day "a Journal reporter
visited Spencer to see if the reports so cur
rent had oyerestimated the advsntag GEES of
that locality. He found that they had even
failed to DO justice TO tho natural beauty
of the place, and his impressions noted hero
will bear ont that idea. In all truth. too
much cannot be eaid of the vast possioili-
ties that have for years been locked MP In
the rock-bound hills and messy
wales of that locality which need but
the artificial means at the disposal of mans
energy and capital to be converted into a
place of unequsled beauty. where rest and
recreation can be secured at a cost within
the limit of almost every hard-working
business mans purse.
Many years ago Mr.. Calvin Fletcher, the
builder. of the indianapolis Il V~incennes
railroad. and a man who had visited almost
every country on the globe. located at
Spencer. his primary object being a search
for health. Recosnizing the great
natural beauty of the territory
above referred to, Mr.. Fletcher pur-
chased several hundred acres of land
adjoining the town of Spen Ger and since
that time has made his home there. Being
q man of culture and refined tastes he at
once set abont TO cultivate and still further
beautifv the magnificent spot W here nature
had been SO lavish in her extravaganza. On
= spot nesting among the hills II half mile
from Spencer he built a homo which has
since been famlliarly called THE Castle" by
the inhabitants OF the town. Phe grounds
tions were beautitied by beds of flowers;
trees of all kinds and of variegated
foliage were planted in q man.
ner to add to the artistic beauty
ponds and lakes were constructed, and the
same having for q background a dense
forest, where the AK of the woodsman was
unknown, and being enriched by the be-
nign rays of n summer sun, formed q tout
ensem BILE. AS it were, that we'll repaid MIR.
Fletcher for the many years of arduous
labor he had expended. Soon the fame OF
this beautiful spot. which was spread by
the visits of Dir. Fletcher's friends and ac-
from the President of the United States
on down to those III the aver
age walks of .hfe-became gem
orally known. 1t is no IDLE
statement to. say that Mr.. Fletcher's visit
ing book has on it the names of more prom
inrnt pers0nages h have visited any
similar spot In the entire State.
Two years ago water containing the
rarest of medicinal qualities and in irp-
meEse Quantities was found twelve hun.
dred feet below the surface at Spencer. A
sanltarlum was at once built. q hundreds
have since been healed OF rheumatism and
other ailments. finding in the water not
only for drinking but for bathing purposes
properties of the most excellent character.
A largo hotel was also erected,
and Spencer at once became quite
q resort for hsalth-seekers aud summer
tourists. but as yet IL has not reached the
letter Il In the alphabet of what it will be.
ii the plans now being ged are cor
ried to q successful termination, and there
seems no reason TO doubt that they will
be, In two or three years Spencer will have
become the most prominent and delightful
summer resort In Indiana, It's fame will ex-
tend beyond the confines of this common
wealth, and will be known all over the
country, and every W here 1t will be known
and referred to as the Saratoga OF the
| West"
Not long ago Mr.. George A.
Bpckling, one of the most
prominent . enterprising of the young
business men aud capitalists OF this city.
visited Spencer and became enamored of
| the delightful natural beauty of the place.
Having had great experience in the line of
snatchingl land from the wilderness and
Transforming IL into handsome building
lots aud desirable places OF abode. he at
once recognized what energy and capital
could do iE making OF the land surround
ing Spencer one of the most elegant sum-
mrr resorts IN the country, and neg0tIa-
lions were at once opened with Mr.. Fletch-
or for the purchase OF q portion of
his land for himself and associates. who.
with the aid Of foreign capital. will de-
velop the situation. which Includes that
desirable lsvel between the lovely hills
and the town, and Immediately adjoining
the homestead of Mr.. Fletcher. where cum
NOR hotels and cottages will accommodate
thousands OF visitors.
Two large hotels will be buiIt. hav-
ing every advantage as 10 location,
and the guests of which Will have
access to all the privileges. The level
stretch of ground will he laid out as u
GRAND. meaning the place of flowing
fountains. The Grand will consist of SIX
circles. TO be named after prominent poets
and statesmen; small and unique cottages
will he built around each circle. fronting
| on the outside. and on the inside Of each
circle in the court will be . lowing f0unt-
all. These cottages will be sold
to persons seeking health, recreation
and fresh, inyigorating air, ct reason
BILE prices. On the bills which overlook the
surrounding country Japanese pagodas
will be erected. These in themselves will
form q unique arrangement. In the rough
exterior they resemble very much the der
rieks used In boring natursl-gas wells, but
they are IN reality places Of abode. each
room forming q story in itself. Outside
stairways lead to the stories above. aud
each room is surrounded by a veranda.
What more unique or delightful summer
dwelling could be imaginedf An observ-
atory will also be erected on one of the
highest points for the use of visitors.
Aside from these arrang ements salt water
and mineral baths will be erected. the
water being found IN the greatest abund-
nnce. The bath houses will be located
with the convenience of the cottagers and
hotel guests especially In view. Amuse-
ments of all kinds will be provided, IN
douetedly the most delightful OF which
will be the excellent boating facilities.
The purpose Is TO utilize a portion of the
ground. delightfully."- ami romantically stu
ated. for The construction OF an artificial
lake W which. IN conjunction with the splendid
boating course already afforded By the
river. Will give facilities of the character
unexcelled any " here In the country. Just
beyond the land already described Is q nat
ural forest. whose beauties and privileges
are assured without limit 20 purchasers
and visitors. Already o fine avenue of