The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-03-06
BUILT AN ARK IN JERSEY.
A Queer-LookinK building Which
Crowned an Eminence Many Years
Ago.

A Queer-LoOkinK Building Which
Crowned an Eminence Many Years
Ago.
Mount Arrarat is the first of series of
hills which end in the ridge upon which
Summit, N. j., is located, says the New
York Herald. With many twists and turns
the tracks of the Morris and Essex division
OF the Deia ware, LackaWaEna and Western
railroad climb up from the Orange valley
to the top of this ridge at Summit. Off to
the left, as the train ascends, can be seen
on a clear day che tall buildings in lower
New York and the glistening water of New
York bay. Quite near to the track-about
half mle-is Mount Arrarat upon which
stood for many years a queer looking
structure called the ark" Many
time the passengers enjoying the beautiful
scene spread out before them have had
their attention attracted by this odd craft
On a hill top, and questions have been
asked of the train men to what it
This ark would have been a mere cookie
shell upon the broad expanse of waters, and
If its builder intended it for a second del
use he took care not to put too much of an
outlay a useless object. 1t was Is years
ago that B. F. Nissan owned Mount ARA
rat and many broad acres surrounding.
His fine residence stood on the east side of
the Springfield turnpike, in Mlburn town.
ship. about mile and half from the vii
lagos Of Miburn and Springfield
Not far from this house was the base of
Mount Arrarat This spot was the highest
point on his domain from which view
could be obtained of the surrounding coun-
try. 1t was in the year 1869-according to
the people still living in Milburn-that Mr..
Nissan constructed the queer wooden build
ing which looked like an lark and was
perched upon the crest of this eminence.
The craft was Adopt Is feet long by five feet
wide, pointed at both ends and surnounted
by canopy supported by fancy posts, much
Ca the Swiss style. The boat stood about
two feet from the ground and was reached
by short flight of wooden steps. It's in
terror arrangements were very meager,
consisting only of comfortable seats at the
ends and both sides. AS the sides were
not inclosed, it was exposed to the ele-
ments and though kept in repair during the
ownership of it's builder, it became a prey
to the influence of time and the storms,
which found it good mark in it's unpro-
tected position on thei hilltop.
At time it was a faxorite resort for
the school children during the week days,
and on Sunday it was the Mecca to which
boys and girls turned their steps when out
for walk. If any boy had a new jackknife
whose qualities were to be tried the ark
was the best object of attack. AS a result
it was covered with all sorts of poetic eff
fusions, both orginalrand otherwise Initials
and names were carved. cut Or scratched
in every nook and corner. These penknife
attacks helped along, the destruction, and
each year witnessed the decay and demol-
ition Of the building. The framework, which
alone remained, was destroyed about two
years ago by fire which started in the
long grass surrounding it. Mr. Nissan, the
builder, long ago sold the property upon
which the Ark stood, and after passing
through various hands 1t is now owned by
James r. Pitcher, Of Short Hills 1t is safe
to say that object in that portion of
New Jersey was more conspicuous than the
old Ark and nothing was more missed
from the landscape. Nobody seems to know
why the odd structure was erected