San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-11-15

Those who have never visited the inter-
esting little city of ROckport, have not
yet seen the leading and f~avorite resort of
Southwest Texas. 1t is something like five
or six hours ride from San Antonio, yer
the 5. A. & A. P. railway, and starting in
the early afternoon, one has a very ENJOY
able trip. passing over a country whose
lands stretch away in easy and beautiful
undulations to the Gulf coast. Arriving a
little after dark at the city; you take quar-
tiers, of course, at the Arkansas Pass Hotel,
conducted by Mr., Milton Everett, a
yerT genial. Sociable gentleman. well and
payorably known in San Antonio. After
registering here and getting an opportu-
nitv to look around, you are struck at
once with the magnificent proportions OF
everything about this hotel. 1t Is a
splendid structure that would do credit
TO a city of 100000 inhabitants. A fine
parlor handsomely furnished, a commo-
rooms on every floor, an immense and
we'll appointed dining rOom-all give to
the visitor the impression that this city
must be a "Sure enough" young Chicago.
But when, the next morning, you step
out on the broad veranda and
have an opportunity to take
in a view of the city by daylight, your
impressions are somewhat modified. and
YOU begin to realize that you had struck
in coming to this hotel the biggest thing
in town. Not that the city would appear
under ordinary circumstances particu-
larly dull for a place of its size, but this
fine hotel and the manner in which you
are uShGred into 1t, make you naturally
expect Of the city more life and business
activity.
Yet after all you are looking at a little
CITY very attractive in its quiet beauty
To the east lie the beautiful waters OF. Ar
anSaS Bay. A fine sight is here almost
constantly before the eye. with the
numerous fishing. sailing and rowing boats
passing into and out from the shores.
This fine bay is S]uTrOuRded by land or
land locked in such a way that any dCS-
tructiVe storm here is impossible. In
very bad weather one can climb to the
top Of the high dome of this hotel.
and with the aid of a glass can see
the waves of the great Gulf rolling and
tossing tcyond, while within this shelter
ed harbOr the waters are almost as placid
as a quiet river. The shore at ROckpOrt
is thoroughly rO%ckbOund, and it was from
this that the city derived its name. To
the north and west a fine stretch OF al
most level land is presented TO view
broken only by CoponO bay which can be
seen somewhat dimly in tie distance.
This bay. in conjunction with the Aran-
sas. forms the neck OF land on which
Rockport is situated, known as Live Oak
peninsula.
From this point of observation the city
looks very pretty. Curving around with
the shore line on the north are a number
of fine residences overlooking the bay.
The main street is also one of the attrac-
tionS of the place. 1t is 100 feet wide,
paved entirely with oyster shells and IS a
very smooth. beautiful driveway,
ROckpOrt became the county seat Of
Arkansas county in 1871, on the Organiza-
ton Of the same. IL has now a pOpula-
ton of about 1900, with a prospect of rapid
growth 10 the near future. 1t has many
beautiful residences and a number of
good business houses.
No city of its size in the south has as
good hotels, the Arkansas hotel being the
leading one.
1t has one bank. the First National of
Arkansas Pass. two weekly newspapers,
several drug stores. a number Of dry goods
houses. and other lines in proportion.
There is an opening here for a good
meal market. properly conducted. Per
hapS nc line OF business is greatly over
done here.
- l'D4s y II AZ ENs
The city is provided with a good public
school and a number Of churches. The
Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal and Cath,
Ole churches are represented by Organi,
ZatiOn. and all have very good buildings
The COlored people also have two church,
es of their OVID. These are features which
make ReckpOrt a desirable city to locate
in, for those who wish their families t
live under the clevating influences of the
church and school.
:. \. A. p. RAILWAY.
Rockport has at present only on,
railroad, that Of the San Antonio anC
Arkansas Pass. 1t owes to this road mucf
of its growth and present prosperity
This line was completed to Rockport il
1888, and gave by It's advent an easy anC
available outlet for the products OF. he
fisheries. The road has a mileage Of Il
miles in the county, and its assessed valu
alton here Is SllO,9l2.OO. 1t has been o
inestimable value to Rockport. Like al
the great railway systems, conducted OIL
proper principles, it came to educate an
develop. 1t is with pleasure that tn
writer. who has Travelled over many mile
of this fine road, can testify to the kim
and courteous consideration which he ha
uniformly received at the hands of IL
gentlemanly officials. And it de
serves TO be said to this com
pany's credit, that not only is il
line we'll equipped with every REASONABLE
comfort afforded its patrons, but thOSl
who manage it are broad minded enOugl
to feel a friendly interest in the welfare
of the people. and the up-building o
southwest Texas.
IMPORTANT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Among the industries which give pros
Derity to ROckpUrt are, first In impOr