New-York tribune., 1906-06-03
AT RICHFIELD SPRINGS
Perennial Charms of This Upstate
Resort Appreciated.

Richfield Springs. Y, June (SpeeiaD-
The Richfeld habit is easy to acquire and once
acquired is persistent. For that reason almost
the entire summer colony is like one big
family acquaintanceships renewed year after
year ripening into friendships and giving Rich
held an air which no other summer resort pos
sesses to exactly the same degree. The hotels
and boarding houses are pre-em eminentIy home
Ike and the cottage life which many enjoy
greatly intensfes this feeling The village itself
is charming. High up in the hill and lake
region of Central New York its air wonderfully
bracing, every detail of comfort and sanitation
carefully attended 10, it is an ideal spot for
summer vacation Its shady streets hecked here
and there with dancing sunshine; its green
smooth lawns; its comfortable chairs on wide
Verandas, all have alurement which cannot
be resisted
Rlchflelds attractions are natures own. In
the heart of the village is located the Spring
Park' famous since early in the last century as
the nucleus around which gathered the hotels
which lodged the seeker after health as we'll as
pleasure. Forest trees shade its broad expanse.
and In the centre is the music pavilion, erected
last season by Mrs. James Herman Aldrich, of
New York, where every morning the orchestras
from the Darlington and the Berkeley -Waiontha
play. and on two afternoons the local brass band
gives its semi-weekly concerts. At these times
every one of the many rustic seats and summer
houses is filled, and the park becomes a general
rendezvous for young and old.
Just to the north and within its borders is
the bathing establishment rightly considered
one of the finest in the country and closely
modelled after those of famous German spas
The ever-fowing sulphur spring. clear and cold.
has been tested for more than a century, for its
virtues were known by the Indian long before
the white man had penetrated this forest pri-
meval To-day men come from far and near for
the healing of the waters. They especially
beneficial in gout and rheumatic troubles and
for all skin diseases. and physicians all over the
country prescribe of treatment at
Richfeld no longer experiment. but as a
tried and proved cure.
In the last two years many bride paths
have been cut through the woods or thrown
across upland pastures, mostly on the Mont
gomery estate, the owner being aided and
abetted in this work by Robert W. Taller. and
the result has been most charming. From the
summit of a lofty hill. whose view includes
lakes and rivulets, fields of grain and others
where graceful hop vines cling and festoon
themselves about straight, slender poles, one
plunges into the depth of the forest, then out
INTO sunlight again. down through meadow land
and into the woods beyond, cool and sweet and
altogether to be desired
The drives around Richfield will be remenn-
Dered SO long as the name endures The roads
are well Kept, and run through a diversified and
beautiful country, whose numerous lakes form
one or its chief glories. The historic villages
OF Cherry Valley and COoperstown may be made
lhe mecca OF days pilgrimage
IN the afternoon one may circle Canaderaga
Lake over twelve miles Of smooth hard road
way, climb Pray Hill. or the Hogback from
Which still wider expanses OF country NAV be
seen, or from Wards View, near Henderson
I1ome, gaze upon the Mohawk Valley as ii
stretches away to the east.
The Waiontha Golf and Tennis Club is an in
stltuuon OF some ten years standing and the
cosey, old fashioned farmhouse is the meeting
place OF all the younger set and many Of their
elders. There is a course Of nine holes pictur-
eSquely laid out, and with sufficient number
OF hazards to add interest to the game, and
alaS! strokes to the score. The tennis courts
We're constructed two years ago at no little cost
ana were the scene of numerous tournaments
last season. Visitors from the Otsego Club at
the head of the lake of that name, and the !
Yahnundasis and Sadaquada clubs, of Utica
meet the Waiontha players in friendly contest |
watched by cheering crowd. Tea is served on /
the Veranda. which overlOoks a broad expanse of |
hill and dale and the unique garden of the Mills |
on the Richard NJ. Montgomery estate, or on |
cool days groups gather around the huge fire. |
place in the clubhouse parlor
A half mile from the southern limit of the viii !
Iage lies Lake Canaderaga, ill-encircIed, blue |
and sparkling, the resort Of anglers and the joy |
or those whose delight lies in sailing or rowing. |
The trolley runs its entire eastern length MAX
Ing II very accessible at any place. and the sew
SraI lake resorts have excellent boating facilities