Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1897-10-13
A Visit to the Above Famous Health
 and Pleasure Resort.
The New Wagon Road Completed aad other Improvements Contemplated at an
 Early Day.

1 Gago, president or the Fhenix Ma tional Bank, and manager of the
 Congress Gold Company; George
 NJ. Sargent and W. A. Drake, general
 passenger agent and chief engineer
 respectively of the S. F., F. x P.
 railroad, aud the editor of the
 JoURNAL-MiSER. The party was met
 at Vulture Siding bT Hon. N. Q.
 Murphy. president and general man
 ager of the Castle Creek Hot
 Springs Company, with conveyanees
 in which the trip was made. This
 was the first party to go over the
 new road, and universal expressions
 of admiration of the road were
 heard from every one.
 For the frat few miles out from
 the railroad, the road passes over a
 comparatively level mesa or table
 land, when it enters the noun
 veri;able mountains they are
 too, about as rugged, rough and
 precipitous ss can be found in the
 territory. Looking ahead one would
 wonder how a road could be built in
 such a country. but Mir. Murphy
 not only solved he problem, but succeeded in getting it built with
 maximum grade oI only ten per cent, .an engineering feat which cannot but commend itself fayora-
 bly to auy one traveling over it.
 Not only is he grade an easy one,
 but the read is built in substantial manner an perfectly safe aud smooth, and can be travelled over wlth case and comfort, no better mountain road, and yery few as good,
 being found in the territory. After leaving Vulture Siding, the ascent IS gradually made until an altitude of b. tween 3.5O0 and 1000 feet above sea level is made to the summit or divide. when descent Is made to an attitudes of 1900 feet at the Hot springs.
 The scenery along the route con stantly changes, and Is always very attractive and fascinating. From one point on the road, which has been named Valley view, the entire Salt River valley can be seen through a pass m the mountains, and pre- senis a fine panoramic picture.
 Winding aroond mountain sides, through canyons, over mountain passes, the beauties os the changing scenery keeps ones mind constantly occupied. and makes the trip one of real genui c pleasure.
 About Glteen miles from Vulture Siding. and ten miles from the Hot springs, has been selected as the point for the toll gate of the road. Three quarters of mile up gulch from this point fine spring of water has been located, and a pipe line has been laid which conveys water down to the road. The loca- ton of the spr,ng is 20 feet above the road, which gives good fall or head to the water, the spring being never failing and always affording a good supply.
 Arriving at the springe. the party found Geo. s. Porter in charge of the culinary department, and also found an excellent dinner awaiting their arrival, meal which would be credit to the table cf any first class hotel in the country. But lit- tie improvements have yet been made at the springs, except in the cuisine, as Mir. Murphy has devoted his energies towards the completion of the wagon road, so that visitors can reach the place comfortably, but now that thIs has been accom- plished the work of improving the i place, aud of making it resort | second to none on the Pacific coast, will be pushed. The company has | planned to expend not less than $250,000 with this object in view, and among the first will be the erec- tion of fine large hotel with all of l the most modern improvements. In fact, nothing that inventive ingenui- ty can suggest and money can pro vide, will be lacking Tn its appoint ments for the comfort ot its guests. | A general improvement of the | grounds will also be made. The | location of the place is an ideal one for a pleasure and health resort, and 1 with tho magic influence of money, intelligently applied in its improve ment aud ornamentation, it cannot be excelled any where.
 The recently completed road will afford fil drives for several miles, while Helrs Gate and numerous other points of interest near the springs, will always furnish the tourist and visitor with objects to | him.
 The building of the wagon road | not only makes the Castle crock hot springs easily accessible, but it affords an outlet to large section of mining country to railroad facili- ties and will serve as stimulus to | this industry. Prior to the con- struction of this road, Phenix and were the nearest railroad points, while this road will bring them to the railroad at less than half the distance co the former place and considerably less than to the latter. Approaching the im- portance of the new traffic coudi- lions created by the building of the road. the railroad company will erect a connections station building lt VLlture Siding, and parties are already negotiating for the erection of small hotel and eating house .here, while a daily stage line will De placed on the road to the springs.
 The springs arelocatedlin canyon lt considerable elevation above the grounds where the hotel will be ncafad and the fnur of raiar is