The New York herald., 1922-06-04
GREAT INTEREST IN
| PUBLIC CAMP SITES
Many Cities and Towns Take
Unusual Care Of Touring
Motorists.

The recent remarkable increase in the
volume of motor camping has served to
call attention to certain features of
this interesting subject that have not
hitherto received sufficient attention. at
least in the Eastern States. One of these
relates to the establishment of municipal
camping sites for the comfort and con-
venience of campers. Several years ago,
when the camping idea was in its in
fancy, the pioneers of this new phase of
motor touring were forced to find their
own camp sites, in most instances pitch
ing their tents wherever night overlook
them and giving but little heed TO the
condition of the site selected, except TO
assure themselves that it was reason
ably high and dry.
AS time went on, however, and the
number of camping motorists increased
by leaps and bounds certain enterpris-
ing communities in the Western States
began to realize the commercial possi-
bilities of this new form of motor traf-
fic and decided that it would be to the
advantage of all concerned if they were
to provide suitable camping grounds
Immediately adjacent to the business
ccrfters of the various towns. Reason
ing on the principle that every motor
ing party is obliged to spend a certain
amount of money somewhere for gaso-
line, oil, tires, repairs, food, clothing
and amusements, it did not take some
of the local chambers of commerce long
to decide that the towns that provided
most for the comfort and convenience
of their transient guests were bound to
secure the greatest volume of their
trade.
Once started, the idea spread with
amazing rapidity, and it was not long
before those interested beheld the IL
Illuminating spectacle of town vieing
with town. and city with city in a de-
termined effort to provide the best pos
sible accommodations on the theory that
we'll equipped camp sites would induce
a certain number of motorists to tarry
awhile to enjoy them. Scattered
throughout the vast region west of the
Mississippi River are thousands of small
towns which could not possibly support
a first-class hotel and maintain it as a
paying investment, but which are, never
theless, able to provide suitable camp
ing grounds and thus make strong
bid for their share of the tourist pa
tronage that formerly escaped them al
together.
The fundamentals of any camp site
are a well shaded plot of high and level
ground properly drained, several acres
in size, with pure water and firewood
close at hand and also some form of out
door oven or CRATE to make cooking as
simple and convenient as possible. Little
more than this was provided in the
earliest camps, but as time went on and
competition between the various COM
munities became keener and keener the
list of conveniences became more volu-
minous Buildings were erected to serve
as rest rooms and for shelter during
storms,e general stores and laundries
were Installed in many places. cooking
was simplified through the use of cook
stoves. gas plates and even electric
stoves. cleanliness was encouraged
through the installation of running
water. bath tubs, shower baths and
swimming pools, health was insured by
the erection of tent floors, toilets and
incinerators for garbage and refuse. po-
lice and electric lights were provided for