Charlevoix county herald., 1908-11-14

Louis men, who propose turning the
tract into a playground for their own
delectation. The place is known by
the poetic name of Hahatonka and
has something of romantic history,
having been originally owned by st.
Louisan named Snyder who chose this
wild and wonderful spot, deep in the
recesses Of rugged region, and mac
cessible to a marked degree, as a
place where he could build an ideal
home far removed from the marts OF
men. The original tract of land, con-
sisting of about 1000 acres, was pur-
chased from Maj. Kellogg, Col. r. G..
Scott and others. The present estate
comprises 5,400 acres, lying in a mar
row, irregular shape, the extreme
length being IA miles. Col. Snyder
had planned to acquire not less than
10000 acres.
When Mr.. Snyder found he had a
bigger contract on his hands than he
could manage there was move to
have the place purchased by the gov
eminent and turned into a national
park, Congressman Shackelford put
ting forth earnest effort in this direc-
ton. Failing in this, the place has re-
manned in a neglected condition until
its recent purchase.
The name Hahatonka is Indian
meaning laughing waters, it is said
and there is an Indian legend con-
nected with every scenic feature of the
1f 1,,n 1,rip In
dian legends are inclined to be. 1t is
said that Mr.. Snyder put a quarter OF
million dollars into the improvements
on the place and the visitor is sur
prised at the extent of the improve
ments, the estimated cost being $780,
600. The pay roll at one time
amounted to 81, 100 per week. The To-
cation of the mansion-such it is
called and so 1t isis on a high hill,
once the site of an Indian burying
ground. Many skeletons were I'M
earthed when the excavation for the
building was made, and tomahawks
and other implements Of Indian war.
fare are yet found.
In the mansion are % large rooms
and many smaller ones-about 60 In
all. The entire building is wired for
electric lights and piped for water and
gas, 1000 feet of steel piping having
been placed in position. Immense fur
naces in the basement supply the heat.
Rooms had been planned for the vari-
Gus members of the family. Then there
are guest rooms, smoking room, a
billiard hall, wineroom, ETC., each IA
cling on an inclosed central court ex-
tending from the first to the fourth
floor. Mr.. Snyder had selected his
own suite Of rooms on an upper floor
and in the southwest part Of the build
ing. From the windows one catches
view Of unsurpassed and indescrib.
able loneliness and grandeur. From
here one sees the sun sink. behind the
blue ridges far beyond, lighting with
! tenderest glow the lake below, and, a
little later, as the day dies, kissing
good-by to the heights on Sunset hill,
the highest point for many miles.
To the west of the mansion are the
greenhouses-five buildings, two of
which are % by 100 feet, and three 20
by so feet. The boilers and pipes are
in place, and the thousands of panes
of glass are on the grounds, ready for
the frames. A hundred yards or more
| to the east Of the mansion is the stone
stable, 45 by 10 feet, and of even
finer workmanship than the house, the
stone work having been done by
! fnh hn fnh 10
on a higher point, is the water tower,
80 feet in height and with stone walls
! five feet thick at the bottom. Count.
ing from the bottom of the bluff to the
top of the tower, the height is about
the same as that of Washington monu-
ment-555 feet. Two pumps, run by
water power at the old corn mill, half
a mile to the west, force the water
into the tower tank, from which 1t is
piped to other buildings and to distant
parts of the grounds, including an ice
pond built on the hill, as the water
in the lake never freezes. 1t had also
been planned to have water furnish
power for the electric light plant.
Such was the princely home in
which Col. Snyder was fated never to
reside. At his death the tools dropped
from the workmen's hands, and since
then nothing has been done on the es
tate except such work as was necessary
to prevent destruction by weather. Al
present the great mansion stands ar
unfinished monument to the uncer
tainties of earthly ambitions.
But in this enchanted spot It is not
what man has done, but natures work
which awakens our wonder and ad
miration. On one side of Sunset hill
to which we have already referred. Is