The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-21


Negotiations for the purchase Of the
Round woods and the adjoining prop
erty, from the Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western company, which have
been going on for some time between
President TrGcs 1sle and Hon w. W.
Watson, vice president Of the Keystone
Land company, were closed at tho
Jsrmyn yesterday, and the entire tract
of land from South Main avenue to
the company houses on the west end
and from the city line 20 Lincoln
Heights becomes tho property of Mr.
Watson.
The tract comprises ninetythree acres
and II is understood that the purchase
price was $3.50 per acre. The purchase
was made through President Truesdale
and T.. T. Lukcns. Of Hoboken, general
land agent of the Delaware, i.aCka-
wanna and Western company, and Mr..
Watson, but it is understood that 9TH
er parties besides Mr.. Watson will be-
come interested in the purchase. The
deeds are now being prepared and the
transfer will be made for a cash con-
sideration, which will amount to $780,
4j0.
Heretofore, under eX-President SAM
ucl Sloans administration, a PROPOSE
tion for the purchase Of this land was
ont of the question. Mr.. Sloan was
quoted as saying that the property
would never be sold while he was
president of the company. Since the
advent of the new officials, however, 1t
was quite generally hinted that they
were favorable to the sale of the land,
but the fixed price was 81 900 per acre
for the woodland, and that was con-
sidered pretty steep by real estate men,
FOR A PUBLIC PARK.
So much has been printed through
the newspapers regarding the avail
ability of the woods for a public park,
and the fact that the West Side board
of trade, at their last meeting, appoint
ed a committee to confer with the rail-
road officials regarding the donation OF
the land to the city for that purpose.
opened up an avenue through which
Mr.. Watson foresaw great possibilities,
and immediate action on his part re-
suits in the realization of a hope which
the West Scranton people have cher
ished for many years.
Mr.. Watson is largely interested in
the Keystone Land company, aud it is
owing to the fact that their property,
known as Lincoln Heights, adjons this
plot of ground that the purchase was
made. 1t will eventually become one
continuous residence district. making
one of the finest suburban sites in the
city.
The unoccupied land surrounding the
woods will be cut up into building lots
and placed on the market as soon as
possible Already plans have been pre-
pared for opening the land, and streets
and avenues leading 70 and beyond the
woods from Main avenue will be laid
out The woods will he cleared of the
dead timber now lying around the
ground and the work of improving the
grove will be commenced Immediately.
In fact, the Round woods will he con-
verted into what will eventually be
known as Lincoln park, and no money
will be spared to make it one of the
most attractive spots in northeastern
Pennsylvania. Already the natural
| advantages of the place speak volumes
for it's usefulness for such a purpose.
PLAN OF THE STREETS.
Mr.. Watson proposes to lay out a
plot of ground fronting on Main ave-
nue., which will be donated to the city
for public use, and from the plans sub
mitted to a Tribune representative yes
terday, all avenues will lead directly
west from Main avenue to the park
similar to Stratford and other avenues
| in Lincoln Heights.
The city line, or Round Woods lane
which now divides the purchased land
and the plot of ground known as the
| Farview Land company's site, will be
| widened to the width of an avenue
| and will probably be the main ap'
proach to the park, but this has no'
been definitely decided upon, Shade
trees will be planted on all the streets
and every Improvement necessary fol
a desirable home site will be made.
The property is situated on the west
| erly side of South Main avenue and is
! lust outside the city line on either side
| hut inasmuch as the city line extend:
| far beyond the land both on the south
eastern and northern sides, there is 6
! possibility of it becoming a part o.
the city The tract belonging to th'
| Farview Land company has beer
| opened for several years, and ther,
Is an ordinance now in councils per
tanning to the acceptance of the streets
therein by the city.
The promoters of the deal, Mr.. Wat
son said, will so improve the land sur
rounding the woods and make it such ;
desirable site, in addition to pointing
out the necessity Of the place for {
public park, that the grove will b.
available for that purpose if the cit!
officials are so inclined to purchase It.
The previous arrangements made b!