The Afro-American., 1895-08-10

1n4L0I9 w akeH6luy Hes less 4Adu q 4IlAG
aboveEoloniai Beach
Belly Colonial Beach as seen fron
Cob I4and, looming up red and stately
in thekunlight are the famous cliffs of
Virgids They are so high that The
strongest arm is not able to throw a
stone Irom their Top into the Potomac as
the Missile will invariably come to the
end olits circle against the face of the
cliff before the distance has been meas
ured from the top Of the precipice to its
bottom. There is not foot of ground
for miles around in Maryland and Vir-
ginia ID this region that is not rich in
historical incident and association.
WISDOM OF THE PROJECTORS.
The selection OF the place by Mr..
Key and Messrs. Webster, Thomas and
Lee. who are the projectors of the idea
of building up high-cass colored sum-
mer resort, is regarded by those who are
familiar with the locality as a piece of
very shrewd judgment and business
foresight. The island lies high and has
on it several large plateaus. which make
certain portions of it still higher than
its main body. 1t is very healthy. Near
the foot of the tract where it is washed
by Wicomico Bay on the edge of the
fore7tis famous spring the water of
which is very cold and which has long
been famous to captains and crews of
vessels, who were accustomed in past
days to put out in small boats and re
plenish their water casks from lis never
failing supply. 1t is said the water,
which comes in an immense flow, is a
deep vein. which flows far under the
Potomac from the Blue Ridge Mountain,
over 100 miles away.
The intention of the Company is to
proceed Immediately and build COM
modioas landing at the lower end
Of the island, directly at the
edge of the forest. The landing will be
at the portion Of the tract most conven-
lent for the stoppago of boats from
Washington and Baltimore. No money
will be spared to make the place which
has been already made beautiful by ma
ture attractive and inviting as a summer
resort for colored people. The portion
of the island which lies next to the Po-
tomac is the wooded section, the forest
being so dense horse could not be rid
den through it. The island is all in
fact more or less wooded, clumps of
walnut, chestnut. cedar, mulberry, cher
nv, pear and gum trees being scattered
all over it. 1t was celebrated planta-
ton in the early days, being part of the
princely estate Of the famous Iro-Span-
ish family OF Neale. The forest is full
OF game, gray squirrel and opossum be-
ing especially abundant. Neale's creek,
which is the northern boundary of the
island which is fully two miles and a
half long. is noted tor its abundance OF
crabs, fish and oysters.
PREPARING THE GROUNDS,
The company will lay out one portion
of the tract they have secured expressly
for excursionists, while the other sec
ton viii be improved and arranged for
ChatauQuan assemblages, teachers' in
stitutes and camp meelings. There will
be lodge built, which will consist of a
long one-story building, in which the
bsh2ps and cIergYmana, 2!a, at5epdpg B 1tporPs tRs
built for the accommodation of lecturers,
editors, writers and persons Of. disInc-
ton generally in attendance at the re.
sort during the Chatauquan and camp
meeting periods, which will be known
as the House of Talent. Lots will be
laid and limited number of them dis
posed of for the erection of cottages. 1t
is proposed to make the place resort
for the bright people of the colored race
from every part of the country.
The part of the ground that will be
allotted TO the excursionists and tran
sient pleasure seekers will be provided
with all the devices known to popular
amusement place. There will be a spa
cious dancing pavilion among the trees
and other structures for the entertain
ment of patrons. There will also be Il
rifle range, bowling alley and shuttle
boards, together with other features
which enter into a first class pleasure
ground. !
The pleasure ground will be separ-
tied from the camp-meeting and Chau-
auquan resort widely enough to prevent
or conflict between the two,
here being ample room for both.
HOW 1T WILL BE GOVERNED.
The place is 80 favorably located and
Is natural advantages are so great that
Id residents of the town of Rock Point
nd vicinity on the mainland declare it
'lll require only to be known as a
easure resort to cutstrip Colonial
'each and every other resort of the
'hite people on the Potomac river.
1t is the intention of the proprietors
have rules and regulations governing
le place, and to have the control of
,ings vested in a governor, who will
reside over council to be chosen by
le stockholders. In fact the manage
ent of the ofairs of the place will be
the same plan as that of State gov
nment with Legislature and Cover
IT, and a hall will be erected as a
Getting place for the governor and
unci.