Evening journal., 1902-12-01
CAPE MAY TO
TAKE ON AIRS
Staid Old Seashore Town to
be Made an international
Resort
MILLIONS BACK OF THE SCHEME

WllLtUH0 UhOh VI I'LL uVHLUl
Philadelphia, Pa, Dec. Announce
ment was made last night that docu-
ments were filed at Trenton Saturday
Incorporating the East Cape May
Company. having for it's object the i'm
provement and development of Cape
May, the oldest seashore resort in the
country. to an immense degree. A gen.
tleman interested in the project says
that Pittsburg capitalists have bought
over 1000 acres of land in and around
the city and propose making changes
that will revolutionize that resort.
Their plans include the building of
new city, which they say they intend
60 make one OF the finest resorts in
the world. In this they declare they
will be aided by the United States
government and the Pennsylvania and
Reading Railroad companies Esti-
mates of the cost of the project point
to the ultimate outlay of si1,00o,0O0.
For some weeks there have been
rumors that syndicate Of which H.
c. Frick. of Pittsburg; George j.
Gould, of New York; A. j. Cassatt OF
Philadelphia, and prominent men Of
other cities were members proposed
making Cape May an international re-
sort The operation was started sew.
erai months ago by Anthony NJ. Zane.
OF Philadelphia. who was aided by
Captain Frank G. Edwards, OF Bristol,
Pa, owner of the steamer Republic.
These gentlemen were instrumental in
interesting the Beechvood Improve
ment Company, Limited, Of Pittsburg.
Of which ex-Sesnator William Finn
Is president The Pittsburgers have
thus far expended ss0O.0O0 in purchas-
ing land. They have bought 1900
acres in Cape May City and the ad-
Joining county, and they also bought
1000 acres on Two Mile Beach, and
now own the beach exclusively This
beach adjoins that Cold Spring Inlet,
and will be made continuation OF
Cape May The company has also
purchased the Cape May electric light
plant for 100000.
Following an outlay OF millions OF
dollars for improvements. the projec-
tors say the company will spend sew
eral millions more to attract people to
Cape May, not only during the sum-
mer. but IN the Winter as well. In or.
der to attract owners sof yachts deep
waterways will be formed. The COM
pany intends constructing a lake for
yachts. with a water surface covering
COO acres. Conferences with govern
ment officials at Washington have re-
suited IN promises to deepen Cold
Spring Inlet so that the largest ocean
going yachts will be able to enter the
lake. Around this lake will be scores
OF cottages for yachtsmen and their
families and substantial marine
railway viii be built for the use of
yacht owners. Between Cape May and
Atlantic City, a distance of 40 miles.
there are waterways which are per.
fectly safe and navigable and over
which yachts can be sailed without 60
ing to sea. II Is proposed to improve
these waterways and thus attract peo-
pie from Atlantic City. Aided by the
city. the Pittsburgors will pave all
streets. lay new sidewalks and con-
struct new sewers. The natural foliage
for which the city is famous will be
preserved and trees win be planted
along all new streets
Il is planned to build two and per
haps three OF the most modern sea.
side hotels. This winter 100 cottages
will be built and they are expected to
be ready for occupancy next June. The
work OF rebuilding Cape May will be-
gin early this month. by which time
the necessary land win be Sc, ired and
contracts let The 100 cott.9 IS will
cost $4,000 each. and will be built by
a Philadelphia firm. The first hotel
for which plans have been completed
will cost 100000 The projectors
say 5000 men will be employed all
winter on the Improvements.
The Cape May citizens and public
officials are reported to be co operat
ing heartily with the new enterprise
Councils have already voted $780, 900
for a new boardwalk and bulkhead
along the beach fronting their proper.
ty The city Of Cape May has also
agreed TO rebuild the water works and
has already expended s125.00O on this
project. The riparian commissioners
of New Jersey have granted ali the
necessary rights to the East Cape May
Company, and at their last meeting
took steps to get the company similar
rights TO Two Mile Beach.