The chronicle=news., 1914-07-02
SUMMERRES0RT
FOR MAS0NS IS
PLANNED

|
mer resort In the heart OF the Rocky
Mountains for members Of the Ma
sonic order where they could come
during the hot months of July and
August and fish and hunt to their
hearts content.
This dream Of the Masons Of the
San Luis valley is nearing realiza-
tion and the way seems clear for its
completion before this time In 1915.
In May n deal was consummated by
Association, Inc.. bought n tract Of
100 acres OF land lying four miles
north of South Fork, Colo. on the
Rio Grande river. In the heart of
the Rockies. The land lies along
both sides of the river. with noun
tains. rugged and tree-covered.
reaching u~ from both sides. The
Denver & Rio Grande railroad runs
diagonalIy through the land along
the river and well laid out wagon
road makes the grounds easily ac-
cessible by wagon or automobiles.
This 100 acres OF land is destined
to become the summer home of Ma
sons from all over the United States,
principally from Colorado. Kansas.
Nebraska and Oklahoma. AS set
forth in the articles OF incorporation
of the Masonic association the land
will be divided into small tracts or
| tnx ;oI, I,n tr,M
clusively for the purpose OF erecting
cottages in which to spend the sum-
mer months. These lots will be sold
at cost, only enough being added In
price to raise money to improve the
grounds.
Before another year rolls around
$4,000 will have been expended in
fitting up the ground and making 1t
a pleasant place to live. A pavilion
will be erected which will accommo-
date 500 persons and will be 40 by
so feet in size. Plans are tcing
made for the erection lof kitchen
and dining room Of the same size, for
the use of the Masons when they
hold their annual outing and picnic
on June "a. St. Johns day. A gar
age will also be built for the con-
venience of those going to the
grounds in cars. This will be equip
ped with such materials as may be
needed in accidents and for repairs.
With the building of cottages and
the erection of these permanent i'm
provements, water will be piped to
every part of the grounds on which
cabins may be built. A quarter OF
mile from the eastern end of the
grounds, on the top of the mourA in
ridge lying west of the river is an
ice cold spring. with a sufficient vol
ume of water to supply the entire
colony. Pipes will be laid from this
spring and the water carried to each
lot as it is laid out.
With the buildings under way or
completed attention will next be
turned toward a scheme of ;,aths and
roadways covering the entire 160
acres. Paths will be constructed
]
of vantage for viewing the fine
scenery; roads will be built which
will allow buggies and autos to
reach any desired section of the level
land: and swinging bridges will be
strung at intervals across the river
for the accommodation of the resi-
dents and fishermen.
| Requests for lots are already being
received by the president of the Ma
sonic association. M. II. Van Fleet. of
Alamosa. but will not be offered for
sale until the lots have been laid
out. 1t is not the desire of the or
ganizers that the lot sale be restrict
ed to Coloradoans. In fact it If
hoped that many Masons from near
by or eastern states will secure lots
and make the grounds real, inter-
state Masonic summer resort.
The plan was the happy inspira
tion of the San Luis Valley Masons.
At first the idea was to secure
small tract of land in the mountains
on which to hold the annual picni I
the several towns of the valley prov
ing Inadequate in which to meet.
When this was suggested NJ. II. Van
Fleet, junior grand steward of the
Colorado grand lodge, poin-A 1t
that Colorado should have a Mason
ic summer resort. The idea gained
immediate strength on consideration
and on the spot the San Luis Valley
Masonic Association was formed with
the distinct idea of promoting such a
summer colony. 1t has already
lproved itself a success.
The grounds were purchased only
a month ago for the annual celebra-