Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-07-15
GREAT INTEREST
IN CAMP SITES
Many Towns Take Unusual Care
of Touring Motorists.
WEST LEADER IN MOVEMENT

More Than 90 Per Cent Of Existing
Sites Are Located West Of the Mis-
sissippi River-once Started, Idea
Spread With Amazing Rapidly
Towns Without Hotel Are Thus En-.
abled TO Make Bid for Share Of
Tourist Patronage.
The recent remarkable increase in
the volume Of motor camping has
served 10 call attention To certain fca.
lures of this interesting subject that
have not hitherto received sufficient
attention. one of these relates To tine
establishment Of municipal camping
sites for the comfort and convenience
of campers Several years ago. when
the camping idea was in its infancy.
the pioneers OF this new phase of mo
tor touring were forced To- lind their
own camp sites. IN most instances
pitching their tents wherever night
overlook them and giving but little
heed To the condition of the Site Sc
lectcd except To assure themselves
that il was reasonably high ana dry.
A. time went Oh, however, and the
number of camping motorists in
creased by leaps an bounds certain
eutcrpriSng communities in the west
ern states began 10 realize the com
mcrcial possibilities of this new form
Of motor traffic and decided that il
would be 10 the advantage of all con
cerncd if they were Ia provide suit
able camping grounds Immediately
adjacent To- the business centers Of the
various towns. Reasoning on the prin-
ciple that every motoring party j.
obliged tu spend Il certain amount If
money somewhere for gasoline. oil,
tires. repairs food. clothing ana
amusenentS. it did not take some of
the local chambers long 10 decide that
the towns that provided most for the
comfort and convenience of their trans
lent guests We're bound to secure the
greatest volume Of their trade.
Idea Spreads Amazingly.
once started, the idea spread with
amazing rapidity. and ii was not long
before those Interested hehcld the H.
Illuminating spectacle Of town vicing
with town and city with city in de-
terInined effort To- provide the best pos
sihle accommodation on the theory
that well-equipped camp sites would
induce certain number of motorists
10 larry awhile Ia enjoy them. Scat
tered throughout the vast region west
of the Mississippi river are thousands
of small towns which could not pos
sibly support II iirSt-claSS hotel and
maintain II rs Il paying investment.
hut which are, nevertheless. able To
provide suitable camping grounds and
thus make "A strong lid for their share
Of the tourist patronage that formerly
escaped them altogether
The fundamentals of any camp site
are wel-Shaded plot of high and
level ground, properly drained. sew
eral acres in size with pure water and
firewood close at hand and also some
form Of outdoor oven or crate To make
cooking a. simple and convenient as
possible. Little mere than this was
provided In the earliest camps. but AS
time went on and competition between
+ the various communities became kecner
the list of convpnienceS became more
voluminous. Buildings were erected TO
serve as rest roomS and for shelter
+ during storms. general stores and
+ laundries We're installed In many
+ places. cooking was Slmpiiied through
the use Of cook stoves. gaS plates and
even electric stoves. cleanliness was
encouraged through the installation ~
running water. bath tubs. shower baths
and swimming poolS. health was In
sured hy the erection of tent floors,
toilets and incinerators for garbage
ana refuse police and electric lights
were provided for Safety'S sake while
many of the comforts ana even lux
urieS Of home life were approNimatcd
a. far aS possible by providing tele-
phones. electric irons, wash machines,
tables and benches. dining pavilions,
filling stations. accessory stores in
formation booths and free road maps.
Gather Much Information.
Several months ago the demand for
information relative "a the location
and equipment of municipal and other
camping grounds became 50 pro-
nounccd that the American AutomO-
bile association decided Ia gather in
formation concerning them. This or
gnnizatlOn Sent out Veritahle flood
81 questionnaires 10 automobile clubs.
chambers of commerce. highway assoc
Citations and other similar bodies re-
guessing full details concerning the To-
cation and facilities provided nj the
various camp sites ~ all sections of
the country. Very recently the results
of this investigation werc published In