The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
NOTABLE SCRANTON HOMES
A Charming Description Of Handsome
Residences.
NEW DWELLINGS AND OLD
The First House In Scranton -Remtut.
scenes Of Other Dsys-Stesdy Ad.
vsuesmsus Of Property in Ciiy.
Forecast Of the Future.

a IeW snort years dSO VIC Aay A SuA
chrysals state, snugly ensconced IN
Slocum Hollow. Behold US now with
widespread wings, a city builded on
O hill that cannot be hid" At our pres
ent rate Of progress we will soon rival
ancient Rome in disporting ourselves
over many pinnacles-our latest
achievement in that respect being the
most important as regards the citys
appearance.
Up the sides and crowning the sum-
init, from which Is exposed to view q
panorama OF scenery rarely equaled.
are being developed stately structures
that can but bring added laurels to our
city's fame.
Noteworthy among them are two i'm
posing stone mansions just completed
for Hon. Alfred Hand and Mr.. Thomas
II. Watkins respectively. The home or
the former is constructed Of Forest City
stone with Belleville red sandstone
trimmings while that for the latter is
Of West Mountain stone with Lake Su-
perior red sandstone trimmings-thuS
securing richness of effect and
warmth of coloring not usually found
In such substantial materials. BY beau-
~ Of architecture. elegance OF construc-
tion, massiveness of proportion each
conveys an air of distinction on Its
neighbOrhOod.
Equally artistic Is the residence OF
Mr.. Frank T.. Platt crowning, as 1t does,
the very apex Of the hill. In perfect
keeping with this home. on adjoining
ground, will soon be erected one for
Miss Ella Platt-the furnishings and
art treasurers for which have been
gathered during extensive travels In
this and foreign lands.
On the same commanding point OF
ground cluster three homes belonging
to the Messrs. Rice In whose social
life Is verified the saying "How pleas
ant 1t Is for brothers to dwell together
in unity"
Another beautiful instance OF family
devotion Is found in the example set by
one Of our representative citizens and
one who has done much for the veal or
Scranton, Mr.. William Connell. who has
made his own palatial home nucleus
around which gather those OF his chill
dren.
Farther along on the hills brow is
taking shape an elaborate dwelling in
colonial design, for Mr.. George b.
Smith, one Of our railroad presidents.
Among other contemplated housemak-
ers in this vicinity are Mr.. w. H. Tay-
lor, Mr.. H. G. Reynolds and Sheriff
Clemons.
In pleasing contrast with these latest
ideas in architecture, standing like an
English ancestral hall, securely In
trenched behind wall of granite, Is the
stately pile still occupied by descend
ants Of the family from whom our city
takes its name. Another representa-
tive Of this family, Hon. Joseph A.
Scranton, one to whom the city owes
much for his efforts in her behalf-not
alone in the halls of congress but
through his power as O. Journalist as
well-selected one of the city's pivotal
points commanding O magnificent
stretch Of country. whether the eye fol-
lows the mountains ranging to the
north or turns to the sunltt valleys
trending to the south.
While the exterior is suggestive OF
Washington residence. the distinguish
ing feature Of the interior IL q superb
Napoleonic drawing room. whose
scheme Of decoration and adornment IL
carried out deliberately to the minutesr
detail. Standing alongside. the two
homes monopolizing the entire 'front.'
age Of block and each making MT
ting foil for the beauty of the other IS
found the abiding place of Mr.. John
Jermyn, who has been identified with
much Of the city's substantial growth.
not alone in the business blocks that
bear his name, but in the erection of
the finest and costliest building yet Gre
ated in our midst-a hostelry represent
ing an outlay of over half million dol
lars-all this for the comfort and con-
venience Of those desiring temporary
home.
But where does the eye linger longer
than over the spacious residence, with
its beautiful environment, of Col. II. NJ.
Boies? 1t matters not whether one
turns ones steps indoors, up and down
the aisles of Conservatives filled with
choicest exotics, or wanders OUTSIDE
among rare specimens of tree and shrub
there Is always succession of floral de-
lights. The occupants thereof need not
go to Japan for famous cherry blos-
som time, for a native of that far-away
cline sheds its petals at their doors.
The example cited is typical of the care
and taste exercised in the other ap-
pointments Of this luxurious abode.
But the homes Of taste and culture and
attractive surroundings are by no
means confined to one locality, but are
distributed to the remotest bounds of
the city and up and down the length
and breadth of our picturesque valleys
Within easy access of the heart Of the
city, on slightly knoll of ground, with
q lawn sloping to the confines Of the
valley below. is found the sumptuous
home Of Mr.. William H. Richmond who.
amidst q multiplicity Of business cares,
, is able, as Bryant says, ito hold COM
munion with Nature in all Of her visible
FORMS"
Soon in what has been erstwhile one
Of the most exclusive residence portions
of the city will be erected buildings for
the accommodation Of the International
School Of Correspondence. which num-
bers in its enrolment over twelve
thousand names of students from every
portion Of the globe.
Churches are hieing themselves away
to localities where the clamor Of trade
and traffic will cease to annoy. Yawn-
ing abysses lose their terror when
iron and steel spread pathway
for our feet. Our mountains of culm
gradually disappear down the throat