The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1906-10-19

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were not so badly needed as the hotels, be-
cause several of our bathing establish
ments are among the largest in the world,
one of which can increase the number Of
bath-tubs to $50 in two weeks and battle
5000 invalids in ten hours, should it be-
come necessary. The above substantial
Improvements, and many business houses,
residences and manufacturing plants have
all been made within ten years. We
know of no other city of its size in the
United States, outside of a few mining
camps or gas and oil centers, where the
same substantial prosperity can be shown.
THE CITY OF Mr. CLEMENS.
There was time in the early history of
Mt. Clemens when it was the most i'm
portant settlement or village Of this part
of the then Territory of Michigan, not eX-
cepting Detroit. At this time the cooper
age business, which has always been an i'm
portant industry here, was at its height,
and slaves and heads for oil casks and bas-
rels for several of the largest oil firms of
New Bedford Mass, were made here and
shipped by water to that old seaport,
known in history as being the greatest
whaler's Quitting in the world. At that
time it was thought that the future pros
poets of Mt. Clemens were far ahead of
Detroit, but with the decay of the whaling
and whale-oil business, the cooperage trade
declined and the town did not improve for
many years after.
The first and original plat of the village
of Mt. Clemens was made in 1918 by Chris
tian Clemens; it comprised sixty lots, and
is now within the business center the
city. Between 1918 and 1882 eighteen
additions were made to the original plat,
and since the latter date probably as many
more have been added.
The city is beautifully situated on gently
rolling or nearly level land, at the head of
navigation on the Clinton river which cir
cles through and around part of the city,
adding to its beauty and advantages as a
ulC lGoOlU do NCll ttn W lJS
and shipping interests.
Mt Clemens is one of the most beautiful
cities in Michigan, a State noted for having
a large number that properly come under
this class. Its lovely shaded streets lined
with elegant residences of prosperous
citizens, and the cozy cottage houses of
the working people, and all combining to
make the city desirable place of residence
and an eXceedingl y pleasant place to visit.
Cass and Gratiot avenues are the hand
soonest residence streets, and the large
shade trees at various points along these
thoroughfares are so closely connected by
overhanging branches as to form beautiful
shaded bowers over both the streets and
sidewalks. The former streets leads from
the depot to the court house, distance
of about one-half mile, through which the
city street railway runs. The latter is
probably the longest avenue in the United
States, for it virtually runs from Detroit
to Port Huron and was established and
graded in 1910 by the U. S. Government as
a military road to connect the forts at
these points. In each of the cities named,
as well as Mt. Clemens, it bears the same
name (Gratiot Avenue, and is also con-
sidered one of their leading and most beau
tiful streets. The length of this road is
about sixty miles, and outside of the cities
named it is lined with well-cultivated farms
and houses of prosperous farmers. The
city has population of 5000.
The business of the city as a mercantile
center is somewhat retarded by its close
proximity to the city of Detroit, very
beautiful place and one of the most pros
porous and enterprising of its size in the
United States.
However, all kinds of trade are repre-
sented in the retail line, and well-assorted
stocks of goods are to be found in the
handsome and commodious storerooms
of Mt. Clemens, which are sold at reason
able prices, which competition with the
merchants of its neighboring city neces-
states.
The city is growing and is very prosper
Gus, and while its manufacturing inter
ests are increasing, its main reliance will
always be upon the bathing and hotel
because Mt. Clemens is the great
est health resort in the Northern States.
and may become the most important in
the Union. Its future growth and pros
perity very largely depend upon the enter
prise of its own citizens.
The city has water works, gas and cleo
5ric lights, electric street cars on the prin-
oial streets, which connect with all trains,
and pass all the principal hotels, boarding
houses and lighthouses.
The city supports three newspapers,
one daily (the LEADER and two weelllies
the Press and the MoNIToR). All seem
% be well patronized, considering the
size of the city, and are credit to this
great resort.
Mt. Clemens has long been looked upon
rs a summer resort only, but of late years
he Improvements made in the best hotels
md bathing houses by steam heating, etc.,
nave made the houses so comfortable that
paths are given in the coolest weather,
md with proper and prudent precaution
IN the part of bathers, without the least
hanger of taking cold. The degree of
leat is equalized all over these houses, and
wen in the passageways connecting the
hotels with the Original, Clementine,
olympia and Fountain lighthouses, the
anne degree of heat is maintained by steam
Thus the baths are given in the
most severe and disagreeable weather as