Class. Book COPYRIGHT DEKISIT ^\^^ w^^^ /3/ on Parl^ On ii)e Ddavare Whose varied attractions this souvenir is designed to make familiar to the public, is beyond question the greatest pleasure resort €ver instituted b}' private capital. During the season of 1S95 hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoyed its advantages, and during the coming season multitudes will avail themselves of its privileges and pleasures. In the limited space allotted to the descriptive matter of this volume, it would be impossible to speak in detail of the thousand-and-one interesting features of this mammoth enterprise. It is only possible to dwell very briefly on the achievements of the past year, and touching upon the improvements for the coming season, leave the faithful illustrations to tell their own practical story. GREAT EXTENT OF THE GROUNDS Washington Park on the Delaware is situated in Gloucester County, New Jersey, in an easterly direction, just opposite and within sight of the City Hall of . hiladelphia. It lies along the river bank, beginning just across Timber Creek, and extending along the beach a distance of two miles to a spot known as Eagle Point. The grounds comprise an area of over six hundred acres, four hundred and fifty of which is beautiful woodland and one hundred and fifty acres covered by a natural sjdvan lake. The Grove extends backward from the river a distance of three-quarters of a mile to historical Hessian Run, now a perfect modern -like, over which vehicles and bicycles find entrance to the Park from all parts of the surrounding country. The entire river front of two miles is perfectly terraced, and a wide gravelled walk extends the whole distance. THE PERMANENT BUILDINGS The central feature of the grounds is the Howell Mansion, a sturdy relic of Revolutionary times, which, with the addition of wide verandahs and many modern improvements, has been converted into the main hotel. Here is located the principal Cafe, a restaurant equipped with all possible conveniences — the cuisine being unsurpassed. Attached to the hotel is a great two-story ! I pavilion, capable of seating at tables not less than five thousand persons, who can enjoy a comfortable meal while listening to the concerts of the great band stationed in the beautiful music shell within sight and hearing of all. THE LOWER PAVILION Is particularly adapted for family parties, the grounds of which having been especially set apart for their pleasure. Here hundreds of picnickers can be seen enjoying a good day's fun, who spread their luncheon under the trees or purchase their eatables and drinkables from the adjoining restaurant. Concerts by the Ladies' Orchestra are also given here, and a variety of amusements are near at hand ; while from the upper floor of the pavilion a most beautiful view of the river can be had. THE AMUSEMENT FEATURES Are many and varied — the now famous "Shoot the Chutes "—a wonderful marine toboggan, hundreds, of feet in length; the mammoth Toboggan Slide (the longest ever constructed), a duplicate of which is now being built in order to afford ample accom- modation for the vast crowds who wish to be whirled around its labarinth of track ; the ever popular Caroussel ; the giant Ferris WTieel— are among the principal mechanical amusement features ; in addition to which entertainments of all kinds of the highest order and the most varied and novel nature will be given in rapid succession. B.\i,loon Ascensions, which are a never-failing source of amusement, and which proved such an attraction last season, will be given daily as heretofore. The marvelous Dunlap Electric Spectacul.'Vr Fouxt.vix, surpassing in grandeur anything heretofore attempted, has been erected at an enormous cost' for the sole purpose of furnishing the visitors to the Park a series of spectacular surprises — beautiful beyond description — free of any cost whatever. The Electric vScen'ic The.\tre, another wonderful result of the powers of electricity, situated immediately opposite the main pavilion, contains one of the most sensational realistic exhibitions ever seen in this country. To attempt to describe it would be simply impossible. No visitor to the Park should fail to see it. The Concerts will be the finest possible. We have the best — j-es, the very best — band in the world ; a band made famous by the great Gilmore — and many of the original members are still leading lights of the present organization — now under the direction of that talented and popular artist, Mr. Victor Herbert. Just think of it ! Gilmore's Band of forty-five chosen soloists can be heard all season free at Washington Park, which is, without doubt, the highest salaried engagement ever made for a public park ; while those fond of orchestral music, will have an opportunity of hearing an orchestra composed of twenty-two selected lad}- soloists — in fact, it is the only organization of lady musicians composed entirely of soloists. Man}' surprises are in store for the amusement-loving public, while elaborate Fireworks displays will add attractiveness to the summer evenings' cntcrtainmc::ts. D^ILL GROUND ANO RIFLE RANGE A large field fronting the Camden, Gloucester & Woodburj' R. R. has been converted into a Military Drill Ground and Rifle Range, for the especial use of the New Jersey National Guard and visiting companies. Every facility that skill and experience- could suggest has been supplied with a view to making this the most perfect field ever used for military competitions. BICYCLE TRACK AND BALL GROUND Another enterprise which will be heartily appreciated by the lovers of field sports and athletic games, is the B.\se-Bali, Ground and Bicycle Track, which is situated in the beautiful field opposite the Drill Ground. The bicycle track encircling the ball ground will be three-eighths of a mile long. Both will be perfectly level and will be constructed on the most practical and scientific plans. A bicycle house, in which there will be stalls for 2,000 wheels, and ample dressing-rooms for the owners, is. another enterprise which will be appreciated. AN ENORMOUS NATATORIUM For ladies and gentlemen will be a welcome addition to the Park, and should prove a boon to business men and those who are obliged to remain in the city during the heated months. This will be located directly in the river ; at the same time possessing all the accommodations and conveniences of a private bath. LITTLE GERMANY Just past the light-house and within a stone's throw of the lower pavilion, will be found a very odd and attractive spot known as " Little Germany." It is in reality a miniatxire German village and coffee house. Here can be had, at all times, while enjoying a view of the river, something to eat and drink — a specialty being imported beers and dishes peculiar to this class of place. In fact, it will be a veritable " Raths-Keller," but in the open air. WASHINGTON PARK GROVE DirectI}- opposite the Ste.'^jieoat Pier stands a rustic archway, which marks the entrance to " the Grove," which consists of a thickly wooded stretch of land comprising about two hundred and fifty acres. This has been converted into the most extensive picnic grounds to be found anj-where, having all the requirements necessary for large [excursion parties. It is through this Grov2 that Lake Howell, which is i ,'2 miles in length, winds its way, while in the shade of its banks rustic seats will be found in grea.t abundance. Electric, steam and naptha launches, gondolas and row-boats, will be, at all times, at the disposal of visitors ; and as the waters are to be stocked with fish, those fond of the sport will- find a profitable field for the exercise of their skill. Miles of comfortable walks have been laid out through the Grove, and drivewaj-s intersecting the main drive from the pike to the hotel. THE MAMMOTH AUDITORIUM Possibly one of the most extensive improvements will be the construction, in the Grove, of an Auditorium, a permanent and substantial structure, capable of seating ten thousand persons. This mammoth hall of amusement is designed especially for the use of choral societies, conventions and great assemblies, and is built with a view not only to the accommodation of vast audiences, on account of its enormous floor space, but with scientific regard for the acou.stic properties, in order that the grand concerts and singing contests, which are destined to be heard there, may be enjoyed by all. No enterprise of like magnitude has ever been attempted in a public park. THE DAIRY AND STOCK FARM At the extreme lower end of the beach promenade, be3ond the lower pavilion and family picnic ground, will be found the Washington Park Dairj* and Stock Farm. Here will be kept a herd of Alderney and Durham cows, whose rich milk and cream will be used at the various places of refreshment. IMothers who bring their children to the Park to be benefited by the pure air, will find a suppU' of unadulterated milk for them. There will be also a poultry farm equal to any in New Jerse\', which will be tised solely to supply the tables of the hotel and cafes. It is also one of the chief advantages of Washington Park, and one which cannot be too much lauded, that there is alwaj'S an inexhaustible supply of pure spring water on the grounds ; not less than twenty wells having been driven in various places, whose combined supply of pure drinking water would be sufficient for a city. TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES There are many waj-s of reaching Washington Park on the Delaware. From Foot of Arch Street, by unrivalled fleet of four safe and swift steamboats, every fifteen minutes. Froji South Street every fifteen minutes, by the boats of the Gloucester & Kaighn's Point Ferries, connecting with the Camden, Gloucester & Woodbury R. R. From Chestnut Street Wharf (Atlantic City Ferry) to Kaighn's Point, thence by trolley to the Park ; and from Camden in twenty minutes, by any of the street cars, all of which connect with the Camden, Gloucester & Woodburj' Trolley Line ; while transportation from Otis, Vine and Reed Streets are in contemplation. The fact that over 60,000 people were carried to and from the Park in a single day, demonstrates our imequalled facilities for transportation, but in anticipation of the natural growth of business, these will be tripled, so that our carrying capacity will this season be 150,000 people per day when required. ■■:V'- /;/