Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-12-16
Beautiful Arcadia.

superb, the air was clear, and
there was not cloud in the sky.
We were not prepared for such
gorgeous display of autumn
colors as was witnessed along the
way. Masses of autumn leaves
on the hillsides stretched for miles.
The hues were as varied as the
colors in the broad field of nature.
There were most delicate shades
of yellow, while the purples, GRIM
sons and scarlets were as bright as
the curtains that hung in the
Tabernacle of God. The land-
scapes we're mellow and golden,
not, indeed, with ripening fruits
and fields of grain, but with frosted
leaves which, having done their
work, with the flush of new
morning upon them, were ready
to fade and fall to the ground. In
the scenery on the way down and
about Arcadia low ranges of
forest-clad hills are seen every
where, penetrated by valleys
which do not run in parallel lines,
but in different directions.
Beauty here is associated with
gentleness, not with power, as in
the Rocky Mountains, with their
cruel ruggedness and towering
grandeur. The landscapes about
Arcadia are neither rough nor
savage, yet they give opportunity
for communion and rest, apart
from the busy habitations of man.
Nearby there is rocky gorges
reminding one of the extreme
West. But the town is in a quiet
valley. and the scene impresses
one with the tranquility of a sab
bath rest. Already many from
the city have taken advantage of
this country retreat and have
built elegant homes about Area
cadia. The roads running through
the valleys are good, and there
are many pleasant scenes for
horseback riding and driving, for
fishing and picnic excursions,
while the hills about, including
Pilot Knob, are a challenge to
those who are fond of climbing.
The conditions are ideal for a
health resort. The airis clear and
pure, the altitude is high, the
water is good and the scenery is
superb.
Nor is the Arcadia Valley with
out historical interest. AS early
as 1857 Pilot Knob was connected
with st. Louis by the st. Louis &
Iron Mountain railroad. During
the war battle was fought here
between Price and Ewing, result
| ing in the withdrawal of the latter
with his troops to Rolla, Mo-, and
it was at Ironton, one mile away,
in the residence of Col. James
Lindsey, that Gen. u. S. Grant
received his commission as
Brigadier General. On one of the
two hills upon which important
forts were located by the United
States Army in 1923, there now
stands the Methodist Episcopal
Church South. OF particular in
terest to the Methodists is the
founding Of Arcadia College as
early as 1847, by Rev. j. @. Berry
man, under the auspices of the
1 Methodist Episcopal Church
South. The school had splendid
career for many years, but was
finally sold and is now in possess
sion of the Roman Catholics.
i 1t is in some sense in an effort
to recover lost ground that Meth
odism is planning to establish an
encampment on the hills opposite
the old school property and over
looking the beautiful Arcadia
| Valley. Through the efforts
largely Of Rev. w. B. Hays the
enterprise has reached its present
stage, the success Of which seems
to be assured. The encampment
will consist of 243 acres, the tract
i Of land reaching from the railroad
station back into the hills and in
Guiding three eminences, on one
Of which will be erected hotel,
on another a tabernacle, and on
the third a water tower. The
slopes will be sold off in lots fol
cottages, and the low land con-
verted into d lake. All proceeds
from the sale Of the lots will be
used for the improvement Of
the grounds and the erection oi
the tabernacle. The place will
become ideal as a summer resort
for Methodist families, with ex-
ceptionol health and spiritual ad-
antages, and a convenient meet-
ing place for Conference societies