Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-06-17
Excursion Resorts on the Mount Yer
non Electric Railway

Excursion Resorts on the Mount Yer
non Electric Railway.
The number of excursion resorts on
the Potomac will be increased this sea-
son by the delightful place the Wash
ington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon
Electric Railway Company is fitting up
at Little Hunting creek, about six miles
below this city. The locality seems
specially adapted by nature for such a
purpose. The natural scenery is su-
perb. the water from the wells ice cold
and the purest in the country, while
the fragrance from the magnolias and
wild flowers permeates the atmosphere
and renders the spot delightful in every
sense of the word. 4 large pavilion
has already been erected in situation
commanding view of both the river
and creek, and merry gorounds, roller
coasters, arbors, swings and every other
adjunct to first-class summer resort
are to follow. Besides there are to be
baseball grounds, boats for sailing and
rowing, fishing tackle and the other
necessities for pleasant and exhilarat-
ing outing. The neighborhood of Little
Hunting creek, especially that binding
on the electric railway is to undergo
metamorphosis during the summer.
The railway company have erected a
capacious platform at the station which
is to be followed by an equally capa-
cious building for the use of passengers.
A roadway has been cut through the
grove on the east of the track over
which plankwall is to be placed which
with other wooden paths will meander
through the pleasant forests to high
bluff which rises many feet from the
creek and which commands an unin-
terrupted view of the Potomac as far
down as Gunston, the historic Mason
mansion. Apart from the improve
ments which have been made and
those in progress, the spot, minus all
artificial adornments, is one of the most
suitable for a carousal. The placid
creek which winds its way along the
banks of the Mount Vernon estate
abounds in fish and game, while the
blue Potomac on the other hand pre-
sents a moving panorama for the eyes
to feast upon continually, and the in
yigorating breezes from its bosom are
waited through the foliage, the growth
of centuries. Already persons have
erected tents upon the banks of the
creek and intend spending the summer
amid natures scenery listening to the
MARBLE of the feathery tribe and quail:
ing the pure country air. The distance
from this resort to Alexandria is short,
passengers making the journey in ca
pacious and handsome electric cars in
fifteen or twenty minutes. For days
relaxation from the heat and hustle ola
city no more pleasant place could be
selected. EXcursionists from Wash
ington can make make the trip in less
than an hour by taking either the cars
of the Washington Southern Railway
or the ferry boat to this city. Electric
coaches connect with the arrival and
departure of both cars and boats
throughout the day and long into the
night. Cars run to the creek every
twenty minutes, thus avoiding the vex-
atious delays sometimes occasioncd in
awaiting the departure of steamboats,
The Dyke" another resort on the
electric road, which always was pop
ular objective point for days fishing
or cunning, attracts numbers daily
This well-known spot is the Adiron-
dacks of Alexandra. 1t abounds in
thick forests, creeks, lakes, hills and
dales. People visit it at all seasons,
especially now, when fishing there
abouts is good, and when a fire can be
made and cooking conducted Ia camp
life. Benches have been placed in the
pleasant groves and other conveniences
are contemplated for those who prefer
to spend the mild weather among the
wids of nature. II costs only five
cents to go to the Dyke, and the trip
can be made in ten or twelve minutes.
while a year ago it took hours of hard
work to reach the spot in a rowboat, it
being almost inaccessible to vehicles.