Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-22

tdf-tamed irascf>c reg ous Is INC Soul-
~ scat OF Grand Traverse county, and
~ thriving village OF 1900 inhab:-
tsnts. Its geographical situation Is
such as TO make 10 tina natural INDUS
trial aud Commercial. center OF wide
area IL enjoys the advantages OF lake
transportation. being situated At the
head OF navigation upon Grand Ira
verse bay, an area Of Lake Michigan.
Its railway Connections are the Grand
Rapids 4 Indiana and the Chicago b
West Michigan systems, which afford
communication with all points IN the
state, as well as adjoining states, and
ali trunk lines Of railway. IL IS tue
terminal point of the NJ. Il n. Z. rail-
way. The topography of the Traverse
region IL such asto make Traverse City
the point toward which all heavy COM
modities, such IA timber products.
wnIch are moved upon vehicles, grav-
itate. For forty miles about the city,
throughout the forest region, the gen.
eral slope of the landscape is toward
Traverse City. All Highways are pro-
lected IN its direction. Logs ard lumber
can be transported more economically
10 Traverse City, a distance of twenty
i've miles. than to- points outside its
basin, At one-fourth the distance from
the forest. The reason Is that IN gong
to Traverse City the haul is all down
grade, while IN going outside 1t is all up
~ NJ xslf No
size OF the town. a. also the municipal
conditions which obtain, are such AS 20
lnperatively demand an early change
in It's form of government, and TO Sc
cure the greater corporate freedom and
scope of action. A bill based upon
these conditions will doubtless be INTRO
duced at the present session of the state
legislature for the purpose of securing
. city charter for the town.
Al present the town enjoys many ad-
vantages which subserve high living.
which are denied to great cities. The
town site Ia such as To afford perfect
drainage, while its topography makes
the grading OF streets easy OF accom-
plsnment- Again the porous charac-
ter of the soil IS such "a TO promote
the speedy ABSORPTION of water, alike
from excessive rains or thawS.
One OF the great advantages of the
town is its inexhaustlble supply of pure
water. condition which subserves
sanitary perfection. The system of
waterworks "a well as that Of electric
lighting, IS supplied from a superb
plant owned and operated by a private
corporation The city is provided with
a first-clas fire department.. has IN
Vulnerable fine hotels. business houses,
church, IS, schools and industrial Insti.
tutons-
Condition of streets
The general appearance OF the city
IL attractive. It's streets are regularly
lard out, and, for the most part, orns-
mented with shade trees. Its public
buildings, as shown by the illustrations
of this sruCle, are possessed of great
architectural merit. and are built Of
substantial material. There are four
ward schools and a high school build
ing, housing a school popuistlon of
1900.
The business blocks of the city are,
many Of them. substantial and bssutI-
full brick and stone structures which
would be credit 10 n city of p, 900
population. Many of the residences
of Traverse City are "a fine "a any of
their class ia the state of Michigan.
The moral, social. religious, sanitary
and educational affairs of the city are
second 10 no other anywhere
Municipal Affairs
The city of Traverse City enjoys the
happy condition of an economic NUM-
eipal government. The rate OF taxa
ton - very low. and the city finances
are IN satisfactory condition. The
rate OF insurance s far below the aver
age rate Of Michigan towns. The city
- situated At the mouth Of Bosrdmsn
river, and has the advsntsgr of water
power. TINS power - utilized in NOV.
ing the machinery of the immense
foaring mill Of Hannah, Lay y Co.
Fns stresm = utilized IN thu trsnspor-
tstion % logs from the various log
gng grounds along its banks, to the
mills.
An institution OF great Importance
% the eisy = the custom 90 holding an
annual gathering OF farmers, called .
Farmers instituted IL - gathering
which brings together the leading hor-
tlcuiturslists and sgrlcuiturshst Of
Northern Michigan. and swsksns wide
interest alike "a "a educational and
soeisi occasion. The city possesses q
Httt ttA'tttE AANNn - 1FAH[r Hsifs
IN with these gatherings are held.
Tue city possesses eight churches.
four OF which are buildings of more
than ordinary architectural merit.
Proposes street Railway
A uroisct which has long occupied
the attention e observing business
men. alike OF the Traverse region ami
outside cities. j. that Of establishing an
electro street csf iine AZ Traverse City.
winch shall supply service foF the town
snd connect Il with adiscsnt resort
ceutsrs. The project has 80 far sd-
vsnced "a - have received csrefal
s.sss Of estimate Of the probsbls Ell
perss ss veil "a the location OF the
most feasible routes. II = proposed 20
connect the ritv With al hsY snore re-
sorts within = radius - ave rex miles.
and 10 stretch through 'ne adjacent
forest g. points upon TIE inland lsks-
Wlth an mink 0f iec,eeal tourists an
nusllv. maav ~ whom eunBe "a Ira
verse CITY FOR tae poTpese o. gong
thence & al iacent resorts ~ tue terri.
tory. .hs tae woult affort resdv nd
eonvsnlsnt communication. Il would