Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-09-13

IL 10 tllo pul poSo Va tho ltEbAoh ERS
to print, from time to time, articles
descriptive of the beautiful sum-
mer homes erected and main
tanned by st. Louisans in our
lovely Valley. About sixteen
years ago issued a souvenir sup
plement of several thousand cop
les, entitled ga Summer in the
Arcadia Valley" plentifully illus
trated. Although the edition has
long since been exhausted, not a
week goes by without one or more
REQUESTS for copies of that edition,
demonstrating that interest in the
Valley as a summer resort has not
declined but is increasing. For
this reason, partly, but no less
from pride in the favored locality
in which my lines have been cast,
these sketches are undertaken.
With the completion OF the Iron
Mountain Railway to Pilot Knob,
rendering easy access to this sec
ton, it began growing into favor
with urban visitors, though it was
many years later that the first
"home" for habitation during the
annually returning heated term
was built. VIM. H. Thomson,
ESQ.,, is entitled to the honor OF
heading the list, and for over
twenty-five years the portals OF
the "valley Home" have, with
every recurring season, been
opened wide to guests never de-
MED and always welcome.
But for a long time our summer
visitors came, tarried few weeks
at the Ironton House, and, later.
at the Arcadia House, and Wen
away leaving no trace other thar
perhaps few pleasant memories
to mark their sojourn. remem'
Der how, in the days before the
miserable, uncalled for and deadly
strife which bred all the mean
nesses OF hell as we'll as some O.
the virtues of heaven, the old Iron
ton House was filed, summer afte
summer, with guests on health o
pleasure bent-when youth ant
beauty as well as age and intirm
ity, enjoyed the then new-fount
pure waters and cooler atmosphere
of this Ozark region. And, after
ward, the old Arcadia House wa
the scene of many an occasion
when "eyes looked love to eye
which spake again." as we'll as tn
quiet resort of minds o'ertaxet
and nerves unstrung. Peace t.
their memories! The sites tina
knew them then are but patches o
green sward now.
About seven years ago, Messrs
) G. N. Jones and Herman Kretsch
mar, both of the late tamou
Drummond Tobacco Company
came down from st. Louis on
fortunate day--the Fates were il
congenial mood at the moment
and took lodging in the aforesai'
Arcadia hostelry. Neither ha'
the remotest idea of attaching thei
interests to the soil of the Valley
but one day they took drive owe
the territory contiguous to tn
town. The purchase by Mr.. Jone
of part of what was then know,
: as the Henry Russell farm, "wa
the consequence OF that manoov
er," as old Toney Weller said i
reference to his son Samivel, an
the new owner the ensuing yea
Q set about building for himself
suburban home. The result is on
: of the finest residences in south
east Missouri, with surrounding
fitted to it in beauty and neatness
"The Naples" comprises a lande
estate of twenty-seven acres, di
vided into ample lawns, orchard
and gardens-not to mention tn
cornfeld and meadow which Civ
some warrant for the honorabl
appellation of "Farmer" to th
proprietor. Beside the barn, com
modious and modern in plan an
convenience, ice house, and tn
Y usual outhouses, he has erecte
two dwellings--the residence an