The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-12
A, SUMMER CLUB HOUSE
A Project on Foot Concerning
Stones Chateau,
WesteOf the City Near WaYerly
Place.
Society People of Topeka Talking of
Converting the Handsome House
and Grounds Into Select
Resort.

Part OF. Topela's society Is discussing
- suburban summer resort where the so
.ctal functions of The warm weather may
be carried out.
Several years ago. about fifteen as near
F7y as can be remembered, a man named
Albert Stone, florist by profession and
dealer In shrubs and trees, came into the
possession of considerable money In
deed so large was the sum that its pos
SCISSOR became impressed with the idea
that he could well afford an elaborate
home, and it was not long before he com
'mezlced the work of putting his idea in
to. effect. At that time ne was living in
a small cottage on a tract of land mile
directly west of Washburn college, and
1t was not until the erection of his new
residence was begun that his financial
duck became generally known
and love for architecture of bygone days
and when the plans were drawn for his
costly home he ordered that it be fash
2oned after the style of French architec-
iGure of Louis Napoleon II time.
The architects carried out MS orders,
and when the building was erected it
arches, angles, steepleS and long wind
ing verandszs, and even before completion
was dubbed stones Chateau stone
met with reve-ses of fortune and was
compelled to abandon his fine home and
It is in this picturesque building that it
Is now proposed to establish q summer
club, where members of Topeka society
may enjoy themselves socially during the
sumner months. The matter IS as yet
scarcely farther than ITS INCEPTION, Dut
an effort will be made TO nave the MEM
bers of the dancing clubs of this city
unite and form a stock company for the
PurpOse of leasing the house and land
and carrying out the further plans.
1t IS understood that there will be no
difficulty in securing the property, and
that at 4 small cost At present it is
given rent free to a family to care for the
grounds and in order to keep up the in
Burance the house. 1t could be leased
for period of several years, and the
greatest expense would result from the
Interior changes and arrangements which
Syould necessarily nave to be made
Should sufficient society members de-
eide Co take the matter up, 1t IS proposed
20 remove all partltlons on Inc lower
floors into one big ball room. The prop
erty- IS high in location. there is abund-
ant means of ventilation in the house.
and 1t could easily be made a delightful
place for evening entertainments during
summer nights There is an immense
are well supplied with shade. If the
property We're leased for a sufficient
mo trouble in inducing the street car com
soany to extend its WaShburn college line
10 the place, but although a convenience
this would be by no means necessity,
as the distance from the city is easy to
cover by carriage or bicycle
It has also been suggested that ar
eihcial lake, such as Mr. Gage has on his
Hand, might be constructed, and swim
ming made a feature of the resort. This
of course could be decided upon after
other arrangements had been completed.
The place is superior to Vinewood park
But Ninewood IS announcement because or
ITS distance from the city, ana more 50
now than ever because of the abandon
ment of the East Side Circle railway.
The city of Pueblo, Col. has such SUI
burban resort as is proposed for Topeka,
which is used extensively during the sum
Kller season by different dancing clubs
This is under the charge of the board of
directors of q certain prominent club. but
HOpekaS resort could be controlled by a
board of managers. comprising members
If All the clubs entering into the scheme,