Frederick Law Olmsted SUBJECT FILE Community Design Point Chautauqua, N.Y. 1875-76Westfield N.Y. Jan 5th, 1875 W.L. Olmsted Esq Dr. Sir I attended the meeting of the board of Point Chaut. directors yesterday and went down on the grounds by their order and located the dock or wharf on the shore of the Lake intermediate between rows of stakes ten and eleven at the distance of 50 ft. South of line of stakes no. 10 and fifty ft. North of stakes no. 11. [Hand-drawn diagram] They have been resounding and found that the bar in the lake will be no obsticle to locating the dock here. I enclose you a letter showing the soundings in this place and at the place above the spring house Yours &c M.D. FremontPoint Chautauqua Notes. — I first divided the land purchased, into sections one hundred feet square, excepting the entrance ways, numbering or lettering each stake — then some lines of levels for every three feet in elevation to the highth of twenty one feet above the point addopted at high water mark and finished above twenty one feet in elevation by running lines of level every six feet in elevation and have laid down contour lines intermediate representing every three feet in elevation. — The levels are all run with reference to the high water mark addopted as a base and said mark is one and eight tenths feet [*1.8 ft*] above the level of the surface of Chautauqua Lake on the 26th day of October 1875. The water of the Lake has been known to set back to nearly the first contour line in very extreme wet weather — as I am informed by the former owners and occupants of the land.The line of the land at the North end of the purchase was located as it is for the purpose of getting the place having the least grade in assending the hill by locating the drive way North of the Ravine, letting stake "P5" be at or near the East side of the drive. The grade in the entrance ways is not heavy and can be very easily overcome—their widths are are respectively ninety and two hundred and twenty five feet. [*90 ft 225 ft.*] There is but little water in the ravines and that mostly surface water. The timber or trees in the woods are mostly Maple, Hickory, Beech and oak and are high and straight forrest trees. The Maple tree that stands four feet East of stake A.1 is a very nice second growth sugar maple—heavy top and trunk ten feet hight to limbs, 30 in. in diameter.Memorandum for Map of property on Chautauqua Lake. (sent Mr Sessions 7th Oct. 1875) The map should show the shoreline of the three farms under consideration, also of the public road in the rear of the same. The ground to be levelled are and more particularly surveyed is a strip about quarter of a mile in depth from the shore including all that lower part of the three farms indicated by Mr Olmsted to the Revd. Mr Miller [to be] as desirable to be specially considered, together with the grove and all of the land of the East Sect farm which has already been purchased. Such levels should be taken and recorded in the map as in the judgment of the surveyor are necessary to enable him to lay down a series of contour lines [defining] each representing a difference of level of three feet between it and those adjoining above and below. The culture of the woods should be given and the position of all the trees (except fruit trees) and forest trees badly delapidated, also the names andwhole of the grove and connection in the East Sect farm with the public road. size of the more noteable, thus: Bass, 7". Sugar maple 10" - the figures being the diameter (approximately stated) of the trunk in inches, at 4 ft from the ground. Fences, buildings &c should also be located. The scale may be 100 ft to the inch.Mem. for Map. Oct 7. 9th Octr. 1875 Frans Mr. Hen W. L. Sessions: Panama Chautauqua Co. [?], I am sorry not to have seen you on my visit last Saturday to Mayville - I could not fix the time for my going there until after meeting the Park Commission at Buffalo the night before [I left] and you doubtless [failed to] received my telegram [from Buffalo] too late[As I reported gave my views fully] As I gave my professional opinions x [*x with reference to the land which I examined [at Leits Point] and on these points in which*] [in all essential professional are to include Miller and the other gentlemen interested whom I had the pleasure of seeing at Mayville. I want more to come to you at this time personally and confidentially, having occasion to say some things which courtesy should hardly permit me to address to them on accord of the connection which they [had] have had with the Fair Point Camp, or so called "park" of Palestine [Park]. It appeared to me that [It was evident] they regarded the proposed enterprise at Leits Point a one of the similar character hoping only for an improvement on it and Also proposed, though in a certain qualified way, perhaps, but still positively, they regarded it--the Fair Point affair-- with admiration. [It is my duty to tell you] [It is but fair that I should tell you that I do not] I am far from doing so. Passing the arrangements for public worship which are, at least, thoroughly respectable, another model of Palestine, which for a temporary exhibition assigned to interest, instruct andplease Sunday School children, was a good notion though carried out in a [shabby way, there was] slovenly and improvident way, not good for the education of anybody, there was nothing in the place, except the damaged natural features, that struck me at all agreeably [and] while there was much that made me indignant. When land is sold as it [is] there, it is with a view to its occupation as a place of healthful summer recreation, whoever [is led] has been led to buy [it] land at Fair Point in that assumption [is markedly] has been swindled. The swindle is the more [outrageous] wicked that there is a pretence of [scientific]are better applied to guard against the degrading and sickening influences which the lodging of great numbers of persons in close contiguity invariably x tends to induce. I have travelled nearly around the world and have fared with many tribes and nations but I have never before seen a place at which people had lodged in anything like the numbers they have at Fair Point or as it has been deliberately intended by the management of it that they should for months together in, which the most firmly established laws of health and laws of morality for communities are so [completely] set at defiance as they appear to have been there. [A [?] infernal piece of business I [?] witnessed. and] Not doubting that there [was] had been a certain [?] degree of good motive [as well as if][sordid speculation] in its origin and management, I must [regreted it as] think it in the last degree disgraceful to the intelligence of our country the people could have been found willing to live and expose their families to the danger of such arrangements. [All the] The time of the State of New York would not induce me to trust [my family there] mine at Fair Point for a week. It is well-known and that the influence of such a manner of living affects men insidiously, [and] silently and [secretly] slowly, or that it [costs] shows itself at interval in tempest like bursts of pestilence. Hence it's not at all surprising that [it has not been notice but I will] the danger has not made itself felt but I would stake all the reputation I have earned in the prediction that if not radical change in arrangements is made at Fair Point and it shall continue to be resorted to as it has been or by half or quarter the number [that] of people, it will, after a few years, because notorious as the place where hundreds have taken the seed of untimely death, and that it is the most to be feared from it.It is needless to add that I will have nothing to do with the preparation of anything of a similar character. But I have asked myself to what is the immediate popularity of such a place as Fair Point due? I suppose it is mainly and primarily to the opportunity which it is supposed to offer for a long summer relief from ordinary conditions of business and of household care; for gaining health by change of air, and for gratifying the gregarious, social and devotional inclinations of human nature at comparitively small cost. Except [in the last] as to the devotional element Fair Point has been expected to serve people of moderate means and simple tastes and habits in place of Saratoga, Long Branch or Newport. In respect to the devotional [the last] element, as a prolonged and [perhaps somewhat] improved camp-meeting. If this is the [time] explanation of the crowds [that crowds] that remained for weeks at Fair Point last summerthe success of such miserable arrangements demonstrates the existence of a real public need of such urgency that in all probability the full and legitimate development of it has not yet begun to be witnessed. It is a case of demand undeveloped because of undeveloped supply. The demand jumps to meet the first and pretence of supply. I call it--this whole arrangement at Fair Point--a pretence because [they Fair Point] it will surely supply disease not health and as to the devotional element, the history of this everywhere demonstrates that Godliness and cleanliness are in close continuity and that there is such a thing as the material wishing away of [sinfulness times] many sinful propensities as well as the typical wishing away of sin. Fair Point will breed moral degredation as surely as a carcass will breed maggots.an honest, well studied substantial undertaking to satisfy this public want would be an honorable and [benevolent] beneficiant enterprise, as will carried out it doubtless would be a perfectly sound commercial one. Once the essential conditions of permanent and secure success in such an enterprise involves. 1st ample [and ?] means and inoffensive methods of removing and disposing of wastes and filth of all kinds. 2d Ample and current water supply 3d Elements of attraction which [shall] would give promise by their character that the place [will] would increase in beauty, comfort and popularity from year to year year and not [ruin][having] such as bear conspicuous [not be falling to pieces] [almost as fast as it could be put up, not running irresistably to] seeds of dreary decay, shabbyness and delapidation, [as well as] of disease, degradation and death.What is wanted is, in fact, a summer city. [Nothing less] No civilized family lives voluntarily in a city which lacks the [?] provisions. No summer city will be long endurable without them. The elements which make [cities] places attractive as summer residences the world over are, (aside from the social ones, which are not to be directly supplied like articles of merchandise) are trees, shrubs & flowers, with ample means of [?] the air and enjoying prospects. (Consider for a moment what nearly half the houses at Fair Point [have in this] are in these respects. The windows of an [house] look into [?] of [?], the exhaled air and all the gaseous mists of one [house] drifts directly into another, the slops of one [house] soak under the sills of another. There is no foliage to be seen except overhead where it serves to shut out the [most important and essential means of necessity of natural disinfection, direct sunlight.] most important requirement for [some of] the presentation of health under such circumstances-- the disinfecting and prophylactic influence of direct sunlight.) The primary of the three conditions I have named must go far before those for public worship and social recreations. (If anything is an insult and abomination to the Lord, who has established the laws of health and of the preservation of decency and given us intelligence to understand them if we will, it must be public worship under such conditions as have been established at Fair Point). With them must come high ways, not the false promises of high ways of the map of Fair Point. To get these things there would be required not only the general Plan which I might furnish but a man of some degree of practical knowledge, experience and skill [to direct and super] in such business to plan and determine the details and direct and superintend their execution. [I need not add that a] Of course it is a problem how to realize these conditions in a manner consistent with the purpose of providing what is required at a sufficiently low price to thepurchasers and tenants, a problem the proper solution of which requires ingenuity and special study. I need not add that a much larger capital would also be required than has been used at Fair Point but it would not be nearly as large as you might at first imagine. if the plans were shrewdly designed [with] in consideration of the fact that the arrangements were to be [required] only for summer use & much ordinary provision against frost could be avoided. In all probability the dividends [on the] on the necessary investment would not come so soon or [quickly and] be at once so large as they [have been on] would on something more nearly, initiating [the] The [?]point speculation, [but] but in my judgment they would be [sure and surer] surer [and would be] to continue and be [continuous and] increasing for many years. The Suts Point property, [including] with strips along the shore running each way from it, is well adapted to such an undertaking. There are many advantages [in keeping] as I explained to Mr Miller in confining operations mainly to the close vicinity of the shore. The cost of the works will be less, their value greater. [A much more spacious and liberal character than has been given to the share plan of Fair Point would [will be] in my judgment be profitable. In other words, you will find it]On the principle that it is better to sell 100 acres of land at a profit of $25 an acre than 25 acres at a profit of $50 an acre, I have little doubt that a more spacious and liberal character in the plan and the [division of land] the sale of land in larger measures than at Fair Point would be good policy. I have said [th] all that is necessary for my immediate purpose - For an undertaking such as I have indicated I would make a general plan, on my usual terms. I do not wish to do so and I would rather advise you to employ a man who would be able to give to the [?] more time and personal study [to the and work, and] and to aid more in the practical management of the work than I could. Mr H. M. S. Cleveland of Chicago with whom I have heretofore cooperated with much satisfaction & who has done an extension business at the West that is now I believe in want of occupation, would, for example, be such a man [for example] a most worthy inclusions and skillful landscape architect, you might possibly secure the service of Mr. F. J. Scottof Toledo, who judging from his book must be fully as competive as I am - in some respects more so, but I fear he is not open to an engagement. If you wish to make a demonstration next summer, which I would not advise, I would remind you that a camp of [tents is far more a] tents, skilfully displayed with suitable temporary decorations of bunting, annual vines, [and] flowers, evergreens & various spectacular and theatrical dramas on a green field is infinitely more alternative than [a] use of shanties and that it would cost but little if anything more to make [complete and decent] sanitary provisions of a temporary character for [any] large [for 50000 people than] number of people decent & complete than [unsuitable than insufficient] barely passable and indecent. Most of the requisite means for such a purpose [are can are] could I presume [and I] by rented [available, and can be rented and] for the summer transported to the great and made ready for use as short orders. Your obedient servant W. L. Sessions 9 Oct Trans. Ⅴ½ Chautauqua Ivy. 46 N.Y. 9th Oct 15/5 The Hon. W.L. Sessions To F.L. Olmsted Sr To Preliminary examination and consultation in regard to property at [?]'s Point, Chautauqua Lake $100— Travelling exps. 6— ________ $106W L Sessions [?][*1875A*] [*See end of letter--Did FL do this job finally?*] 9th October, 1875 The Hon. W. L. Sessions, Panama, Chautauqua Co. Dear Sir: I am sorry not to have seen you on my visit last Saturday to Mayville. I could not fix the time for my going there until after meeting the Park Commissioners at Buffalo the night before and you doubtless received my telegram too late. As I gave my professional opinions with reference to the land which I examined and on other points on which I was consulted, to the Board, Mr. Miller and the other gentlemen interested whom I had the pleasure of seeing at Mayville, I propose to write to you at this time personally and confidentially, having occasion to say some things which courtesy would hardly permit me to address to them on account of the connection which they have had with the Fair Point Camp, or so-called "park" of Palestine. It appeared to me that they regarded the proposed enterprise at Leits Point as one of a similar character, hoping also for an improvement upon it. Also that, though in a certain qualified way, perhaps, but still positively, they regarded it--the Fair Point affair--with admiration. I am far from doing so. Passing the arrangements for public worship which are, at least, thoroughly respectable, and the model of Palestine, which for a temporary exhibition designed to interest, instruct and please Sunday School children, was a good notion, though carried out in a slovenly and improvident way, not good for the education of anybody, there was nothing on the place, except the damaged natural features, that struck me at all agreeably while there was much that made me indignant. When land is sold as it has been there, it is with a view to its occupation as a place of healthful summer recreation. Whoever has been led to buy land at Fair Point on the assumption has been swindled. The swindle is the more wicked that there is a pretence of organization by intelligent and educated men at its back, which is miserable quackery. Worse still, that there is a pretence of a religious motive, which is cant of the meanest and most despicable sort. If you think I speak hastily, please consider that the main difference between a camp, village or city of a pagan and barbarous and of a christian and enlightened people is that in the latter the results of experience and study are better applied to guard against the degrading and sickening influences which the lodging of great numbers of persons in close contiguity invariably Sessions - 2. tends to induce. I have traveled nearly around the world and have fared with many tribes and nations but I have never before seen a place at which people had lodged in anything like the numbers they have at Fair Point--or as it has been deliberately intended by the managers of it that they should, for months together, in which the most firmly established laws of health and laws of morality for communities were so set at defiance as they appear to have been here. Not doubting that there has been a certain degree of good motive in the origin and management, I must think it in the last degree disgraceful to the intelligence of our country that 6000 people could have been found willing to live and expose their families to the danger of such arrangements. The wealth of the State of New York would not induce me to trust mine at Fair Point for a week. It is well known rule that the influence of such a manner of living affects men insiduously, silently and slowly, or that it shows itself at intervals in tempest-like bursts of pestilence. Hence it is not at all surprising that the danger has not made itself felt, but I would stake all the reputation I have earned on the prediction that if no radical change of arrangements is made at Fair Point and it shall continue to be resorted to as it has been or by half or quarter the numbers of people, it will, after a few years, become notorious as the place where hundreds have taken the seed of untimely death, and that it is not the worst to be feared from it. It is needless to add that I will have nothing to do with the preparation of anything of a similar character. But I have asked myself to what is the immediate popularity of such a place as Fair Point due? I suppose it is mainly and primarily to the opportunity which it is supposed to offer for a long summer relief from ordinary conditions of business and of household care; for gaining health by change of air, and for gratifying the gregarious, social and devotional inclinations of human nature at comparatively small cost. Except as to the devotional element Fair Point has been expected to serve people of moderate means and simple tastes and habits in place of Saratoga, Long Branch or Newport; in respect to the devotional element, as a prolonged and improved camp-meeting. If this is the explanation of the crowds that remained for weeks at Fair Point last summer the success of such miserable arrangement demonstrates the existence of a real public need of such urgency that in all probability the full and legitimate development of it has not yet begun to be witnessed. It is a case of demand undeveloped because of undeveloped supply. The demandSessions - 3. jumps to meet the first weak pretence of supply. I call it--the whole arrangement at Fair Point-- a pretence because it will surely supply desire not health, and as to the devotional element, the history of our race everywhere demonstrates that godliness and cleanliness are in close contiguity and that there is such a thing as the material washing away of many sinful propensities as well as the typical washing away of sins. Fair Point will breed moral degradation as surely as a carcass will breed maggots. An honest, well studied, substantial undertaking to satisfy this public want would be an honorable and beneficent enterprise, as well carried out it doubtless would be perfectly sound commercial one. Among the essential conditions of permanent and secure success in such an enterprise would be: 1st. Ample means and inoffensive methods of removing and disposing of wastes and filth of all kinds. 2nd. Ample and convenient water supply. 3rd. Elements of attraction which would give promise by their character that the place would increase in beauty, comfort and popularity from year to year and not such as bear conspicuous seeds of dreary decay, shabbiness and dilapidation, or disease, degradation and death. What is wanted is, in fact, a summer city. No civilized family lives voluntarily in city which lacks the two first provisions. No summer city will be long endurable without them. The elements which make places attractive as summer residences the world over (aside from the social ones, which are not to be directly supplied like articles of merchandize) are trees, shrubs and flowers, with ample means of taking the air and enjoying prospects. (Consider for a moment what nearly half the houses at Fair Point are in these respects. The windows of one look into those of another, the exhaled air and all the gaseous wastes of one drift directly into another, the slops of one soak under the sills of another. There is no foliage to be seen except overhead, where it serves to shut out the most important requirement for the preservation of health under such circumstances--the disinfecting and prophylactic influence of direct sunlight.) The providing of the three conditions I have named must go far before those for public worship and social recreation. (If anything is an insult and abomination to the Lord, who has established the laws of health and of the preservation of decency and given us intelligence to understand them if we will, it must be public worship under such conditions as have been established at FairSession - 5. he is not open to an engagement. If you wish to make a demonstration next summer, which I would not advise, I would remind you that a camp of tents, skilfully displayed with suitable temporary decorations of bunting, annual vines, flowers, evergreens and various spectacular and theatrical devices on a green field is infinitely more attractive than one of shantees and that it would cost but little if anything more to make sanitary provisions of a temporary character for any large number of people decent and complete than barely passable and indecent. Most of the requisite means for such a purpose could I presume be rented for the summer, transported to the ground and made ready for use on short order. Your obedient servant,Dear Sir, I have read your [?] of 8 [?] I expect to be at home and am disengaged on Monday and Wednesday morning. If cannot please advise me by return mail when I many look for you. [?] Mayville N.Y. Dec. 8th 1875 F.L. Olmsted Esq. Dr. Sir What day next week can I meet you at your residence in N.Y. I am coming to bring you my map of Point Chautauqua and to impart to you any information I can relative to the matter. Please appoint a day. Yours Very Respectfully M.D. Tennant Westfield Chautauqua Co. New York Surveyor of Point Chautauqua M. D. Tennant Dec 8Mayville, New York, December 10. 1875 Mr. F. L. Olmsted, New York, Dear Sir, Mr, Tennant, our Surveyor of Point Chautauqua expects to be at your house this month with his survey of our grounds, and we hope to have your map of the grounds by the 4 of January 1876. As sec'y of Point Chautauqua Association, the Directors instruct me to write with reference to certain considerations that you are requested to consider. In organizing a stock company, inducements were held out to the public to get them to purchase stock, and one of the inducements, was that every man who purchased one share, or more of stock, should have a piece of land, not to exceed one eight of an acre. There are four hundred stock holders. This would nececitate four hundred lots of the above dimensions, were there not a large number of share-holders, who hold from two to ten shares. Many of these persons will want large lots, varying, from 1/4 to 1/2 of an acre. It appears that the nececity is laid upon us to providefrom two hundred & fifty to three hundred small [sm] lots. We do not wish to cramp you in any way, and we hope this arrangement will not interfere with your plans. We wish our grounds to excell every thing on the Lake, not only for the present, but for the future. There is to be a general remodeling on Fair Point next Summer, (need enough of it) and we feel confident that the best they can do, will not equal our efforts to provide a Summer resort, with yourself at the head, Our Directors have the utmost confidence in your management. Our surveyor will be able to give you any information you may wish relative to the soil, soundings of the Lake &c. Any information you may wish from the Directors will be given promptly through their secretary. With this I send you a Check of one hundred ($106.00) and six dol. which you will please receipt when cashed. I hope to meet you in N. Y. in January. Yours Very Truly, J.H. Miller, Sec'y of Point Chaut Assn13th Dec. 1875. The Revd J.H. Miller: Secy Point Chatauqua Assocn. Dear Sir; I have [received] your [favor] letter of 10th [with enclosing] with cheque for $106 for which [please find] my receipt [within] is enclosed. You say that you hope to receive my plan by the 4th January. [This is wholly out of the question] It [is] would not be possible for me to furnish it in that time if I now had the map. [I doubt] I have several engagements [hand drawn MAP] out of town and my engrossing business here and doubt if I [can give a single] shall be free for new work [am free from engagements already made] for a single day before the 4th January. I can promise nothing before February. To do justice to your undertaking requires a great deal more original study than Mr Sessions' [account of it] exposition of [it] the scheme had led me to suppose. I mean that such a [map] plan as I [should] am engaged to make you would be [a] [delis delusion of little value]day worthless unless it were to be followed by a great deal of study [by men] and close superintendence in the ground by some [of the details of the work to be done by some men] man experienced in [experienced and ingenious in] of ability in Engineering, architecture] works including problems of Engineering, architecture and gardening. [If it can not have this it will be] Otherwise it will be a delusion and in the end you will be dissapointed. [with the result.] It [is] will be impossible for me to give this further study and the necessary superintendence, and while perfectly willing to do what I can [I it but just to some time I think that you]It is but just that I should advise you [that it would be much more for your interests] that whoever [is to be the man] the managing man of the work is to be it will be much for your interest that he should at least have part in the study of the original design. [It] The chances are that it will [be so] in that case be carried out [much] more intelligently faithfully and economically, the motive of each detail and its bearing upon every other being understood and a complete and consistent purpose ruling all.would do much better to [en] [engage] engage some man To give my advice [a cure] [distinct] distinctness I recommend you to employ Mr. H. W. S. Cleveland of Chicago, (or the firm of Cleveland and French Landscape Architects and Engineers) I will act in consultation with Mr. Cleveland and [we] assume [publicly] public responsibility for the plan which we may together [agree to] recommend to you. If necessary to the end I will make no [further] charges for my further services. My only object in this proposition is to have a difficult work well done and to avoid waste and dissapointment to [you]you and those whom you are to serve. I know of [no better way] few ways in which money can be wasted more insidiously and effectively [of throwing money away than to] than by attempting to work from [such [?] a plan such as I am engaged to furnish you without [and attempt to work from it without the superintendence of] the occasional oversight on the ground of a man skilled in the elaboration of details and in [? bringing] directing the various [sorts of work] operations required [with] in harmonious and economical combination. ¶ If Mr Tennant[s] is not to be here by Wednesday, as [appointed] arranged, do not let him come without [arranging] an appointment, as I may be [required] absent in Washington or elsewhere. Yours very respectfully memo for Estimate of Charges enclosed 2d furnished 18th Decr, 1875. The Revd H. Miller Mayville Dear Sir; I have [received] seen Mr Tennant and received his map which is all I asked for. Let me now state what I understand my instructions [commission] to be and if you find in reading that they are incomplete, please advise me. They have been recevd in part verbally from you, in part from your letter & in part through Mr Tennant.A design is to be formed [required] for laying out the property represented in the map with a view to its occupation as a summer village, [show] and a drawing is to be furnished showing [to show] the [?tives] of roads and of building lots under this design, of which building lots [at] 250 are not to exceed 1/8 of an acre in area. Sites are also to be approximately indicated and the plan in other aspects to be adjusted to the falling objects. [1st a landing 200 feet in] 1st a landing place 2d a meeting place in the woods 3d a meeting house in the open. 10/J.H. Miller Dec 13It will be desirable that I be advised as to the size, form and style of the meeting house. You will please consider that nothing can be laid down with precision in the woods, inasmuch as that whatever construction is to be made then of roads, walks bridges, seats, speaking stand, &c, must be adjusted to existing natural conditions not definitely represented on the maps. My business will be limited [in this respect] to indicating a general theory of arrangement, [the working plan must come later] under which a [suitable] qualified man can definitely elaborate a proper working plan on the ground, every element of [Nor elsewhere am I to be expected to give you my theory but]which shall be subordinate to the artistic motive of which the plan furnished will represent a frame or skeleton.Mayville. Chautauqua County New York December 22. 1875. Mr. F. L. Olmsted. New York. Dear Sir, Yours of the 14. & also of the 19 are before me. I am confident by your letter of the 19th that you fully understand our design. As regards the size of the meetinghouse, it should accommodate from fifteen hundred to two thousand. I think we had better leave the form & plan to yourself. There has been some talk about building it in an octagon, having the roof in the form of a tent roof as near as possible. It need not be very high. Perhaps Mr. Tennant remarked to you that we wanted lots laid out on both sides of our main entrance way. We have unbounded confidence in you, and we wish to leave everything in your hands. We expect to secure a competent man to carry out your plans. Please give us at least 250 lots of from one tenth to one eighth of an acre and arrange them if posable, so as to be of about the same value. If you cannot compleet the plan at the time indicated in my last (which of course you cannot) please have it in readiness by the first of Feb. We are very hopeful, as an Association, Yours truly J. H. Miller, Secy. Point Chaut AssnThe Revd J. H. Miller: Secy Point Chataqua Assn 5th Jany, 1875 [*[1876]*] Dear Sir, Your favor of 22d, ult - was duly received. I have been for some days studying your work and shall hope to send you my plan early in [Febbery] [Feb] February. ¶The map contains too little detail of the local [I am not able to determine] topography for a sufficient determination by it of the [position] place which we agreed [to enable me to determine nine on the map the location of the position [when on the ground] was the best for the meeting ground and I hope that it will not be too much trouble for you to [go to] point out the spot [with] on the ground to Mr Tennant and let him indicate it [its position] on the tracing which I enclose and return it to me speedily. The Fair Point plan of meeting ground seemed to me entirely [satisfactory and I should be glad if you would factor in this particular and if you will show] satisfactory and if you approve of it I should be glad if you would show the position for the platform and the seats in general conformity to that but with proper adjustment to the local conditions. [I shall be likely to adopt it.][*[1903, Aug.] File*] [*FLO Jr*] [*JW*] 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. My dear Mr. Olmstead I want to express my sympathy to you for the loss of your father whose death is announced in this evenings paper. As you told me once on our trip from Washington your path is not an easy one but I am sure you will carry to successadequate information [cluce?]me to do any thing more than furnish you with a diagram indicating what I should think would be a [sat] good division of your property into roads & lots, with indications of [apo] positions for certain specified objects. There I shall stop. I shall do nothing more. If it were a town to be laid out, or [a] an ordinary villa district [I should expect that] any respectable engineer with an intelligent landscape gardener would be able to work from such a plan to satisfactory results. But your undertaking is a peculiar one and what I consider a suitable plan for it can not be worked out in that way. Whoever makes your plan should be your superintendent. Mr. Tennant for example, can, I am confident, make a plan which [worked out out under his superintendence] will lead to better results than [will] any plan I can furnish, both being worked out under [him] his superintendence.But your undertaking is a peculiar one; the situation and circumstances are peculiar There are not three men in the United States whose service you can procure, who can do the work that my plan will require[s] and either of them would be likely to get as good or better results [from] if he worked from his own plan. Unless it is to be followed up by a man capable himself of making a good plan, my plan will only lead you [us] into mistakes [and extravagance] and will be a bad plan for your purpose.[For this reason] When I offered to resign [my] the commission with which you have honored me and if desired to aid so far as I could without pay any suitable man whom you would engage to take my place, I did so because of my conviction that this would be your wise course. [If you refuse to adopt In refusing to adopt it] You show the opposite of confidence in my judgment in refusing to adopt it but I trust that [I have] what I have now said distinctly relieves me from responsibility [for the consequences and I] for any dissapointment that will result from such refusal.8th Jan. 76 The Holly Manfg Compy Lockport, NY. Having been consulted by a joint stock Co in regard to the laying out of a summer village and being urged the necessity of a water works system, I find the Directors unwilling to entertain the proposition on acct of the expense which it would involve. I wish to form some idea of what this would be and will state the circumstances and requirements so far as I suppose may be necessary to enable you to [form some] make a very approximate [rough] estimate, [which] with which I shall esteem it a favor if you will provide me. The works would need to be adapted [only] for service only during warm weather; water to be withdrawn during frost. Water to be taken from the lake at say 100 yards outside a wharf 130 feet long on which the pumping works might be placed. Supply to be sufficient at starting for 500 families, with probability30 6000 of enlargement to 1000. The mains at first would be 6000 feet in length ultimately [double] 12000. The highest point in the property is 105 feet above the line of the lake [and the woods will would have no house would] and houses will be all low cottages few if any drawing water above first floor. There would be three mains radiating from the pump and the draft would be evenly distributed between them. Under these circumstancesLittle [p???] would be needed and constructions might all be very light, and I have thought that the cost might be so low that I could prevail on the [investors?] to adopt the suggestion. Your obedient servantMayville, Jan. 11th 1876. Mr F. L. Olmsted, New York Dear Sir, Yours of the 5th, inst. is recd. With this I send you the proposed location of the auditorium. I think the design of Fair Point good in the main. You are at liberty to change the location, as located by us a few feet if you desire. We wish to locate the speakers stand near the ravine. I also send with this a proposed plan for Wharf. Will you please inspect it, and return it as soon as posable with your opinion of it. We wish also to know if you can spare enough gravel from the bank on the shore to fill it. We will fill partialy with hemlock brush, and partialy with stone. We are now ready to build the Wharf, a work thatmust be done when the ice is on the Lake. Some of the Directors think we had better drive pile and sink abutments on piers for the Wharf. If you have any suggestions to make, we want you to feel free to make them. We are still much encouraged with reference to the future. Yours truly, J. H. Miller Secy Pt Chaut Assn OFFICE OF THE Holly Manufacturing Company, T. T. FLAGLER, President, CHARLES KEEP, Secretary, BIRDSILL HOLLY, Superintendent, C. G. HILDRETH, Treasurer. LOCKPORT, N. Y., Jany 17 1876. Mr. Fred. Law Olmsted 209 West 46th St New York Dr Sir Your valued favor of 8th inst. did not reach us until yesterday. Mr Holly will be more at liberty in a day or two than he is at present, & will then confer with us that we may give you a fully reply. Yrs &c C. G. Hildreth Treas -- 18th Jany 1876 Trans. The Revd J.H. Miller Secy Point Chaut. Assoc. Dear Sir, Yours of 11th inst was duly recvd. I should have replied sooner but have been out of town. All points in doubt respecting the wharf seem to turn upon local questions of economy rather than [design] general design, [and upon this] and as these my judgment would be of no value to you [upon them.] I think that if it could be afforded [a larger and] all the dimensions would be little much larger and that a prettily designed shelter on the outer block, such as would be suitable for a small rail way station, would be not only a convenience but make the wharf [a more] [an] an agreeable resort when no boats were coming to it and give a [much] pleasanter first impression to people arriving [that] than they would obtain from [an ordinary wharf] a wharf which was [nothing] nothing more than an ordinary [ary can and no] convenience or bare necessity. The land end of the wharf should be at the least six feet above the watermark of Mr. Tennant's map. There will be [grading wh] excavation needed [done] near by from which I presume all the gravel wanted may be supplied. I return the wharf plan.1/2 Chautauqua. 18th January, 1876. The Reverend J. F. Miller, Secretary, Point Chautauqua Association. Dear Sir: Yours of 11th instant was duly received. I should have replied sooner but have been out of town. All points in doubt respecting the wharf seem to turn upon local questions of economy rather than general design, and on these my judgment would be of no value to you. I think that if it could be afforded all the dimensions would be better much larger and that a prettily designed shelter on the outer block, such as would be suitable for a small railway station, would be not only a convenience but make the wharf an agreeable resort when no boats were coming to it and give a pleasanter first impression to people arriving than they would obtain from a wharf which was nothing more than an ordinary convenience or bare necessity. The land end of the wharf should be at the least six feet above the water mark of Mr. Tennant's map. There will be excavation needed near by from which I presume all the gravel wanted may be supplied. I return the wharf plan.T.T.FLAGLER, Pres't B.HOLLY, Mechanical Supt. CHARLES KEEP, Secy. C.G.HILDRETH, Treasurer OFFICE OF THE Holly Manufacturing Co. Lockport N.Y. Jany 24 1876 Fred Law Olmsted Esq. 209 W. 46th St. New York Sir: Referring again to your favor of 8th inst. Mr. Holly estimates the cost of water works for the summer village as follows. 2000 feet 6 in Iron Water main -- Cost laid, including trenches 2000 " 4 " " " " 2000 " 2 " " Service Pipes $4360. 10 Double Discharge Fire Plugs 400. 360 feet 4 in Iron Supply Pipe for do, laid 259. Plain Engine House, in brick with smoke stack, & foundations for engines. Would cost, probably not over-- 2500. Suction Pipe, & Crib outside wharf, say 800. A Set of Pumping Engines. comprising 4 steam cylinders, & 4 double acting water cylinders, of capacity to supply 320,000 gallons of water per twenty four hours for domestic uses at a piston speed of 92 feet per minute, which when running as a compound engine will be guaranteed to perform a duty equal to raising 40,000,000. pounds of water, one foot high with 100 pounds of coal. The same engines may be2 quickly converted into a high pressure, and will force directly from the hydrants, two, one inch fire streams 100 feet high, or three, one inch fire streams above the highest buildings. For style of the Engines reference is made to the engraving sent you by express today. Price including a Holly Hydrostatic Automatic Regulator for preserving uniformity of pressure in the mains and pipes, also the necessary steam boiler, of the tubular variety, with all steam pipes re. delivered on cars here. Setting up machinery, including expenses of men Add for Engineering, freight & contingencies 20 per cent 7500. 500. 16319. 3263.80 Total $19582.80 Estimate of Running Expenses For Pumping 360000 gallons of water per 24 hours running constantly, & raising the water 130 feet high 1000 pounds of coal per day or 13 1/2 tons per month @ 6.00 $81. 1 Engineer (of ordinary ability) per month 75. 1 Fireman 45. Oil & waste 3. Cost per month $204. For Puming 180.000. gallons & running part of the 24 hours 650 lbs of coal per day or 9 tons per month @ 6.00 $54 1 Engineer for $75. oil & waste $2. 77. Cost per month $131.3 Assuming the works to cost -- $20.000. the number of families supplied at -- 500 and running expenses as for pumping 186.000 gallons per day, th cost to each family for water supply will be as follows. Interest on investment at 7 per cent $1400. Depreciation & Repairs " 5. " " 1000. Running expenses, 8 months in the year 1048. $3448. which divided by 500 equals say $6.90 as the cost to each family per year. If the number of families be increased to 1000 & the pipes be extended over double the present area, increasing the construction account to say $25.000. and the running expenses as for pumping fuel supply operated day & night, the cost to each family will be as follows. Interest on investment $25000. @ 7% = $1750. Depreciation & Repairs " 5% 1250. Running expenses 8 months in the year @ $204. 1632. $4632. which divided by 1000, equals say $4.64 as the cost to each family per year. The quantities of water named will supply 72 gallons per diem to every person, averaging the families at 5 each. An important consideration is the reduction in fire risks, which will be from 20 to 30 per cent as compared with ordinary methods of fire 4 protection. With this system of works hand or steam fire engines are unnecessary. As is also a reservoir or stand pipe. We send a package of pamphlets which you may wish to distribute among the Directors. The estimate for laying pipes does not include excavating in rock or hard-pan, and makes no allowance for quick sand. The cost set down for crib is hardly better than a guess, but we think it sufficient if all the circumstances, depth of water i.e. are favorable for such work. In planning the pipe lines, attention should first be given to the supply of water, to the hydrants, using only the 6 & 4 inch pipes. This being done the streets not having the larger may be supplied with the 2 inch pipe. It will afford us pleasure to communicate further information if desired Respectfully, C.G. Hildreth. Treas --OFFCIE OF THE Holly Manufacturing Company, LOCKPORT, N.Y. Jany 25 1876. T.T. FLAGLER, President, CHARLES KEEP, Secretary, BIRDSILL HOLLY, Superintendent, C.G. HILDRETH, Treasurer. Fred. Law Olmstead, Esq. 209 N. 46th St. New York Dr Sir; Having occasion to visit New York. I will bring with me an estimate of the cost of Water Works, as desired in your favor of 8th inst. Expect to leave tonight and will call on you tomorrow afternoon (26th) at 4 o'clock . Yrs Resp'y C. G. Hildreth Treas -- POSTAL CARD WESTFIELD JAN 28 N.Y. WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER Mr. F. L. Olmsted 209 West 46th St. New York CityWestfield N.Y. -- Jan 28th 1875 Dear Sir-- Did you recieve the letter I wrote you changing the location of the dock on Point Chautauqua M.D. Tennant [*Intermediate between stakes rows, 10 and 11 --]*28th Feby 1876. The Rev. J. H. Miller Secy Point Chautauqua Asscn Dear Sir: I send you by today's express the plan for laying out Chautauqua Point prepared in accordance with instructions. The number of building lots not including those for the meeting house and hotel is 466, of which 21 are about [1/4 acre in area and 445] [1/8] 1/4 of an acre and 445 1/8 if an acre in area, measuring in each case to the middle of the road way. A general [design] study of design for the improvement of the public grounds by planting and otherwise is incorporated with the plan for of roads and lots. [A] The landing is shown [exten with an extension from the] as I should recommend it to be extended from the plan [as] if that now understood to be under construction, so as to accomodate two boats at once lying broadside to the length of the wharf and with a block and pavillion at the outer end, with the object heretofore explained.The roads are so laid out that no grade will be required, or should be permitted, under the most [favor] unfavorable circumstances steeper than 1 in 20. It is indispensable to a good result under this plan that the company should plane the roads and campground. It is also indispensable [to the pursuant success] that the company should organize and provide [for] some systematic and adequate methodI consider it indispensable to of for the removal of waste and for the supply and removal of water. I have ascertained that a system of water works [equal to p] on the Holly plan, supplying water to each lot in this plan; [and] to a height at low pressure of 130 feet above the lake, and a total quantity 320,000 gallons per diem, [or] will cost not exceeding $15,000, the interest on which with running expenses would amount to an annual tax on each lot of a little over $6.-I recommend a correspondence with the Holly Company [not] and send a pamphlet giving more particular information. [If the E. If the Company If your Trustees] ¶ If your Association wish[es] to consider the question of an Earth Closet System, I recommend consultation with Col. George E. Waring, Sanitary Engineer, Newport R.I. I enclose my account and am Respectfully Yours, US POSTAL CARD WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER US POSTAGE ONE CENT [?] FIELD G 3 - 9 5 - P Fred. L. Olmsted 209 West 46 St. New York US POSTAL CARD WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER US POSTAGE ONE CENT WESTFIELD 24 G 3 - 25 5 - P Fred Law Olmsted 209 West 46 St. New York Tennant 24 Mch-Westfield N.Y. Mar 8th/76 F. L. Olmstead. Saw your plans yesterday. Send me my Map of sections and contour Lines immediately I asked you to send it with your plan. Yours &c. M. D. Tennant Westfield N.Y. Mar 24th 1876 Dear Sir- Yours of the 10th Inst. is at hand. I presume that these Point Chaut. Directors will be hurrying me up before long. Please get my working map around as soon as convenient Yours &c. M. D. Tennant27 Mch 1876 M. D. Tennant, Esq. Dear Sir; Your postal card of the 24th is received. It was [my] first intended to send the framed drawing glazed, [but owing to the risk of] and as it would have been inconvenient to you to remove the glass in order to take a tracing, [a copy on linen was ordered to be] [one was ordered at first] one was at first ordered to be prepared here for you but [prepared here. Subsequently the] [for you but] [drawing was sent without glass] It was however decided that it would be safer to have the glass put in at Mayville [?] if it [?] the plan would be torn. The tracing was [notwithstanding] was however sent to Mr. Miller at Mayville on the day after the receipt of you note of the 3d inst asking for you contour map. [letter asking for it]] Respectfully. one was [o] ordered to be prepared here for you. It was [of] afterwards decided to omit the glass on account of the danger [f] in case it should break of tearing the plan. The tracing was however sent some time ago to the Revd Mr [May] Miller. This tracing was what was referred to in a former note to you as a "working map", being intended as the [basis of one] . skeleton of one.To Tennant 27 Mch. 1876Postal Card WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE-THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER Mayville MAR [2?] N.Y. Mr F. L. Olmsted 209. W. 46. Street. N.Y.Mayville March 28. 1876, G 3-30 5 P Mr. F. L. Olmsted Dear Sir, Mr. Tennant's map recd today. Absence from home has prevented my writing with reference to the beautiful map of Point Chaut we received from you about three weeks ago. We are well pleased with it. Will write you again soon. Yours truly. J. H. Miller, Secy Mayville. N.Y. June 9. 1876. Mr F. L. Olmsted N Y. Dear Sir, Please pardon me for not writing you sooner. Our grounds are now being worked. We are well pleased with the general plan. Our property is increasing in value. I will solicit your advice on certain points with which I am not perfectly familiar. Please accept the enclosed order for four hundred & thirty ($430.) dol. and receipt the same, and very much oblige. Yours Truly, J.H. Miller, Secy Pt. Ct. Assn17th June / 76 My Dear Sir, I am requested by Mr Short the Chrm of our Committee to advise you that it would be convent to [its] all of its members [the members of the Committee would be glad to hear] if you will call a meeting of the State Hwy Commission [called] for Thursday next, 22d inst., and that [Mr W day] it has been ascertained that day would also suit the convence of Mr Wheeler.[How administn be improved] [How work be done more economically,] Hale ? 17 June 76 United States Postal Card WRITE THE ADDRESS ONLY ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER U.S. POSTAGE ONE CENT MAYVILLE OCT 11 N.Y. To Mr. Fredrick Law Olmstead. 209 West 46th Street. New York. G 12 10 4 - PMr. Olmsted. Dear Sir - We expect to employ you to lay out our grounds at Point Chautauqua. Hon. Mr. Sessions and myself are the Com to make arrangements with you. We hope to see you before long. When will you be at Buffalo? Please give directions for our surveyor. He wishes to commense next week. Send directions to me. Yours truly J. H. Miller. Mayville, N.Y. Oct. 11. 1875 lots 1/8th acre 400 shares - $40. $200 an acre 200 - 250 lots equal value. 70 - 300 24 $28000 -- [<25>] Thinning trees. 106 1/2 acres -- 80 30 Mr Tennant 219 E. 45 fr Servis.