Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-09-25
FINE COLLEGE TOWN,
Effective Improvement Methods
Adopted by Wellesley, Mass.
MANY STREET TREES PLANTED
Three Village Improvement soeietie,
Are Always Working to Beauty tho
Town-Their Activities Quite pi.
versifed-Patient, but Wide Awake,

make Wellesley, Mass, one of the
most beautiful suburban towns In the
United States. Abrupt hills, flowing
brooks, placid ponds and a charming
lake. with many a noble tree and a
wealth Of the green things Of earth
are the contributions of nature which
man has nodded and directed to make
of all harmonious whole In which
the modern house of wood or the vine
clad stone looks at home.
1t is an important item in the daily
concerns Of the Wellesley inhabitant.
this thought Of the beauty of his
town. There Is no intention on his
part to wake up some day and find
that unsightly buildings have replaced
the elms and pines that now adorn the
wide streets and cover the hill slopes
where pretty homes nestle There is
passion for the good things OF nature
among the dwellers In this college
town, and they let slip no opportunity
TO get another chance at the open air
of heaven or to direct the energies OF
those who would build a "real prac-
tical store or office" where nature
has hitherto had her way unhampered
There are three village Improvement
societies In Wellesley. with its 6. 1856 In
habitants, of whom 1000 are college
students. These societies have not ex-
pected to make the town perfect all at
once along all lines or any lines. They
are patient, but always wide awake
and pushing some new Improvement,
says the Boston Herald The latest
step has been the campaign Of the
Falls and Hills Village Improvement
society to secure the purchase Of the
Elm Park hotel property. so that the
square at Wellesley Hills may be
made Of beauty that will accord
with the rest Of the town.
The activities of these societies are
quite diversified. They have secured
the adoption Of an attractive street
sign. Of which many have already been
set up. and have planted and secured
the planting of hundreds of street trees.
They provided free Of charge plans
for new telephone building at Wei
lesley Hills square. Many small i'm
provements have been secured by them
in the lighting and care OF railroad
stations and grounds and the handling
of carriages at the stations. They have
issued pamphlet on the planting and
care Of trees. The tree warden OF
Wellesley is man of means, who does
the work for love OF 1t. These militant
societies preach in general and in par
ticular in the local paper. They have
started a system OF removing ashes
and rubbish.
Wellesleys real estate and personal
property have taxed value Of S1S352,-
OSO.22, which sum includes exempted
property to the amount Of $3,455,-
1902, of which the larger part Is the
college property.
OF the improvements in the town Is
Hunnewel park. Of eleven acres. On
the top of the hill in this park Is the
beautiful stone building for town hall
and library. This park and the build
Ing were the gift of II. II. Hunneweli,
who also gave the books for the libra
ry and S21 900 for library fund and
also n playground OF eighteen acres,
This playground is over the stone
fence Just off Washington street. Wei
lesley's principal artery Of commerce
1t is laid out in ball fields, tennis courts
and gridirons. the whole being strik-
ing example OF good caretaking
The town itself has taken many
acres Of land along Fuller brook. be
tween Wellesley Hills and Wellesley
which in course of time will be devel
oped into a parkway. This parkway
will extend from Wellesley Hills
square to the Charles river, at the
southwesterly part OF the town. dls
tance Of three miles. II borders on the
Hunnewell playground and when com
pleted will be very beautiful feature
of the town.
The four railroad stations in Welles
ley from the plans Of the late IL. +
Richardson are tastefully laid out ant
planted with trees and shrubs. The!
form a fitting introduction TO the Wis
itor who is to see the greater beauties
DtNuuu- htNthNll h''' ONN' ~
operation between the railroad ant
the town In the leasing. through thu
suggestion OF the Village Improvement
society. to the town by the road for
long term Of years Of piece Of 1t
unused land In the vicinity OF th'
Wellesley station. This piece Is beint
developed by planting bushes anc
shrubs Of decorative value.
The three Wellesley Improvement so
cieties are distributed through the VII
lages OF the town. The Wellesley VII
iage society is at the Wellesley enc
in the village known as Wellesley. th'
Hills and Fells society at the Hills an'
the eastern part Of the town and IN
Fells society at the Fells In the south
westerly part Of the town. The Welles
lev club. organized Ito consider an'
discuss questions relating to the vel
fare OF Wellesley" was organized Il
1889 and meets seven times during th
wear at some hotel In Boston. IL has
membership OF 10. with long wall
Meetings IL uSuall