The Honesdale citizen. [volume] (Honesdale, Pa.) 1873-1908, 1908-07-30
The White Mountains.

triOuted TO the scranton Tribune series OF
nine articles. descriptive OF White Mountain
resorte, which were printed in the Saturday
issue OF that paper during various weeks OF
1907. Among these valuable contributions the
article on Bethlehem is one OF the Oest. For
the benefit OF our readers, we herewith re-
print a large portion OF the Pennsylvanian's
opinions on our own village. Says Nj.
Richmond:
"'No vacation and health resort IN the
United States has earned wider renown
than has Bethlehem, N. H., and certainly
there are few places OH the continent more
supprbly endowed with scenic charms and
all other attractions that go TO make up an
ideal tourist center.
Bethlehem enjoys the distinction Of oc-
cupying the most exalted height OF any
village in New England. Set high on hill
side, nearly sixteen hundred feet above the
levcl OF the sea, diamond rs II were TO its
irweled neiRhbore. One says. "a clear cut
gem of nature polished with scenic environ
meit and set 10 a wealth OF mountain scen-
cry The town itself covers an area OF
many square miles. The village proper con-
| sists OF u broad, straight avenue about two
| miles long from "rhe Arlington Terrace" |
ON the west to "The Maplewood" on the |
| east, lined on both aides by summer hotels |
and elegant cottages, and it's avenues or SIDE |
| streets with commodious boarding houses. |
| On this broad plateau, near the top OF the |
| mountain range, which h bounded by the |
| Gale and AmmonoOsuC river valleys facing |
| toward the cool north and across the valley |
| lie the Green Mountain Of Vermont. and Tor |
| miles commanding succession OF rocky
and verduTe-olad peaks OF the monarchs OF
| the Presidential range-the eveI-blue Fran
| conias--the ar'dstant peaks in Canada
/ the hills around Lancaster and Jefferson,
aud the nearby summits OF Agassz anu
| Cleveland, with their emerald -robed slopes,
| stands the "Hay Fever" and all around
| summer resort, Bethlehem.
| or this historic village Helen hunt has in
| a playful mood written: "Only little VII.
| lage street, lying along the mountain side,
| while Drake has quantity characterized the
village rs ranged high up along the noun.
tain side, like the best china 10 cupboard
These references are sufficiently descriptive
but after all, II Ia place that IN ust be seen
to be appreciated
The writer can faithfully say, that from an
experience Of over twenty-scven years,
| Bethlehem IL II place that Will bear the clOe-
pst inspection. Every part OF the town has
an nIr of neatness nnd progTeesiveuess that
nts IN well with the beauty OF the surround.
ing scenery. II is generally accorded to be
the coolest place IN New Hampshire, ch the
mountain tops, aud consequently possesses
great favor rs health resort among the
hay fever sufferers and kindred ills. on ac-
count OF lite health giving. invigorating
ozone; II iuH perfect eanitarium. The air
OF Bethlehem, that sounds the knell OF the
most prtveree case OF hay fever within
twenty -four hours ~ 40, has made the vii
lage the headquarters of the United States
| Hay Fever Association, which holds its an-
| nual meetings here. One mys, "Bethehem'r
great trinity may be ead TO be pure air,
pure water and pure sunlight. what
more could the most weary or broken down
| mortal ask for
| The water here has no rival in the entire
mountain region, for II Is absolutely pure.
II IA taken from lake on tue sides OF Mount
GARFIELD, fifteen rods long, that forms the
| source OF the Gale river. One branch FUR
nishes bethlehem aud another Littleton
| with the purest spring water on earth and
the supply IL abundant. Besides this, and
Of still greater Importance 1t has an up-to-
date modern sanitary system OF sewers with
natural drainage.
With ali these conditions l submit, why
should not Bethlehem be called New Eug
lands pioneer summer playground and
natures great eanitarium?'
The stroll through Rethlehem's breezy
streets, morning, noon or evening. breath
| ing the revivifying ozone. visiting the art
galleries, the souvenir stores, the reading
room, casino, bowling alleys, various golf
courses and base ball grounds, and the ia.
nous "spring" wherewlth TO quench thirst
| with the unadulterated "nectar OF the hills
flowing direct from Mt. Agassiz, or, TO sii
upon the piazzas OF any one OF the hoteli
and watch the superb views obtained OF the
Presidential and Franconia ranges, and
when conditions are more favorable, look
over the Ammonoosuc valley and behold
| the Green Mountains OF Vermont and thost
of southern Canada. fifty miles away, and
AT even-tide witness the cloud shadows chase
each other over the somber slopes OF Mount
Washington aud other peaks and also enjoy
the gloii ious sunsets and after.glow peculiar
and delight to every visitor to this pleas
ure resort.
During the months OF July, August ant
september, Bethlehem is one of the gayes
places in the mountains. Its population il
numbered by thousands. A large number
are sufferers from hay fever who find thi
place virtually immune. The guests coID,
from all over the country. Every state IN
the Union, and some foreign countries art
represented here. Az a rule the patrons o
these hotels are among the wealthy, educat
ed. and most refined people, among then
| professional, educational and ecclesiastio
There is scarcely day but that the guest
of the different hotels can enjoy musical
literary or dramatic treat given by some o
| their artistic guests, for social enjoyment o
for charity. society and sports are not neg
lected by the thousands OF guests OF thu
mountain resort. The promenade over tn
three miles OF asphalt walks OF the boule
ward is often thronged with bevy OF gail
dressed city people, that pl esents u scene o
bTilliancy, duplicated only at Newport o
Saratoga, On Sundays the ablest divine
occupy the various pulpits,
: | Or outdoor sports there is no lack. IN
golfers can tind recreation on two OF I'll
finest courses in the country, IN charge o
4 experienced green-keepers. The club house
with their wide verandas, contain ever
conceivable, up-to-date convenience as u
patrons have right to expect. As q ruiz
, each hotel has its own tennis and rogu
courts, pool table, etc, where those fashion
: able games of skill can be INDUCED in, b'
( sides the public court. The bowling allie,
are popular and well pstronized. Bethl'
a hem Is supporting an excellent base ba
team ,
All the larger hotels have nrst-class Ii,
1 cries and horseback riding Is popult
7 feature.
o.. Bethlehem contains the largest number {
hotels and boarding houses of any resort
l. | New Hampshire. There are at least Tort
o that line its breezy streets that Gan accom-
modate from 70 to 600 guests. There are
number OF elegant private summer res
dences and welI-lurnished cottages for rel
h tai. Here are four churches, grade
school, "A public library, II fire station,
- garage, u printing office, telephone and tel
d | graph facilities, and frequent mails. II
streets ARE lighted by electricity.
Bethlehem lies midway between u
White and Frauconln ranges, Reached !
N both rail and carriage road, or automoDil
- These combine the main beauties OF bethi
r hem's environments together WIN II
N charm OF approach to the Franconlas upo
one OF their artistic sides. Ii IL called Il
"Hub" Ut this region Ms every point OF II
terest can be brought within u days o.
ri | ruTniUu, either by rail or carriage, vii
" pleasant half-day rides III the more lnmed
ate vicinity. The distance TO the base
Mt. Washington is Is miles; 'rhWlo
-, Notch, II miles Fabyans, l! miles Jene
y son, IL miles Profile House, IL miles 81
IT, gar Hill, 4 miles, and Littleton, miles. Eat
- OF these places makes The terminus oi q
" hghttul day excursion. Mounts Laihyet
and GARFIELD, the noted peaks, are ike
friends to the habitual Bethlehemite, Whi
. Nit. cleveland, Mt. Agassiz and the 9th
p lesser peaks are in close proximity al
easily reached by carriage or on loot as d
vatiOna IL mount AgAssIZ," the summit
which i- 2,BHJ feet above til e sea level al
- III easy walking distance OF three mil
from the CuntcT OF tho town. Thoushnl
- make these interesting excurrions yearl
including ladies who have been we'll repa
lur the climb. Itis when looking dOwn Il
urighbOTing eminGnce OF Mt. AgAsHz tn
one begins TO IeAlzs the beauty oil u
o. "Bethlehum Plateau" and the attrac Il
aud homeiks community Bethlehem ID, al
ar what superb setting Of mountain scenoI
- II Is cTadlei IN. strong steel obserYato
:. crowns It's summit, also place OF shelter.
A valuable feature OF Bethlehem is q
pure Drncing air, which 10 singuiarly dr.
OWING to the absence OF forest growth
the vicinity and the rnpldity with whl
'h falling TAins drain down the slopes tO q
40 AmmOnOosuc. ThB natural slope from Il
I' mgn ridge To the enulrclIng river Delo
several hundred feet perpendicular, insur
ly the very best sewerage facilities which u
well utilized. securely raped pipes Ia
to the river and are cOpiously AMI constAl
bc ly flushed by water from the springs nbON
The Terull OF Hlr ana sanitary excellence
nm almnaDneTe "a DaTtlpulhrly beneficial to