Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-21
THOMAS S. MARTIN
On Falrmount Park

ULNEW people realize as they stroll or
Il ride through Fairmount Park the real
struggle to obtain the Park It's early concep-
ton and its great value historically and as
means of enjoyment to the millions who use
it," says Thomas s. Martin, secretary OF
Commissioners of Fairmount Park.
"The Park In its present dimensions was
the work of time and much labor and
thought upon the part of the first commits:
sioners and those who have succeeded them,
he said. 'Its formation was opposed at every
step with objection as to its great cost, the
engineering difficulties to be overcome. its
deeply wooded slopes, its hilly and rocky
surface, the existence of many fine estates
and mansions of old families that were own
ers Of the magnificent grounds, all OF which
were converted into the present Park.
"Fairmount Park takes it name from the
promontory standing near the Green street
entrance so beautifully situated that Will
liam Penn selected it as q place for his
country home, 'Faire Mount Its elevation
is about 100 feet above the river level.
Site OF Revolutionary Fort
During the Revolution the British main
tanned a fort there called No. g., which
was part Of the long line of redoubts leading
from there to the northeastern end OF the
city. .,,. .,,,o pohsr. Morris, bouse was
on the hill now called Lemon Hill, name
given 1t from rows Of lemon trees that
Richard Pratt, who purchased the property
later. planted along the path leading to the
house built by him to the east OF the Morris
mansion.
SOLITUDE built by John Penn, grandson
of William Penn which stands in the
grounds Of the Geological Garden. was
erected in 1875.
"Belmont, formerly Judge Peters man.
historic building in the Park. Here were
entertained Franklin, Baron Steuben, Tai
leyrnnd Louis Philippe, Robert Morris, the
Count de Sudvellers, John Penn, John
Adams, Washington and Lafayette. On one
Of the window panes over the landing in the
hallway Washington wrote his name with
a diamond, and Lafayette, on his return to
the country in 1924 was entertained there
by Judge Peters, and his name was. by re-
quest, written by him under that of Wash
ington on the same pane. Many years after
ward the pane was removed for preservation.
The two white walnut trees planted by
Washington and Lafayette on the south side
Of the building survived until a short time
ago.
Estate WAS Forfeited
Randolph, formerly called Laurel Hill.
was built in 174S by Joseph Shutc and later
purchased by Francis Rawle, who, being
declared by the State Legislature in 1913
feited to the State. The property was after
ward rented to the Chevnlier de Luzerne,
Minister of France to the United States. A
later owner was DR.. Philip Syng Physick,
n celebrated surgeon from whom the place
nassed to his descendants and to the city for
mark purposes in 1869
"Connectcd with the Wissahlckon are
many Interesting legends, but none more so
than that of Indian Rock 1t was here that
Tcddyuscung, the Chief of the Delaware or
Ienape Indians, gathered the survivors Of
his tribe on the Council Rock before their
removal to the Wyoming Valley. The spot
was marked by n statue of an Indian made