 Walk to the Lakes
We have a glimpse of Home Hospital
on our walk to the lakes. This elegant and well-arranged building
is acknowledged to be the best constructed and best adapted in
America. We will see the hospital in greater detail later in
the tour. A little further we have a glimpse of a
lake and
two old soldiers enjoying the view. We see the edge of
a landscape garden
with nature's choicest flowers of beauty and fragrance
to delight the eye and charm the senses. Looking back on our
path, we have a glimpse of the
conservatory.
Fellow visitors pass by and proclaim that we are in
a beautiful place, different from any they have ever seen.
The Conservatory
The magnificent conservatory
is named in honor of Major-General John
H. Martindale, one of the Board of Managers.
Inside the conservatory are
fine palms,
which give it a splendid tropical effect. An unusual
glass dome
adjoins the conservatory and inside is a fine
fountain named the
Water Waifs.
Outside the conservatory, we see the
Butterfly Mound.
We have a glimpse of rare
water lilies
and soon we are surrounded by
aquatic gardens. Three large
ponds are heated to a temperature of 80 degrees using
steam lines from the conservatory. We ascend a hill to the
scenic overview of the flower garden featuring the
Union Mound. Originally this area was a
quarry from which the stone used in the construction
of some of the buildings was taken. Army Chaplain Thomas B. Van
Horn initially laid out the grounds. Mr. Frank Mundt, a florist
and gardener from Germany, started growing vines in the crevices
in 1868. Mr. Mundt constructed a temporary
greenhouse. Mr. C.B. Davis, an architect, was appointed to
lay out walks, flower plots, and otherwise develop the grounds.
The credit for the design and development of the grounds in their
present perfection is due to Mr. Charles Beck, who has had charge
of the landscape work since 1875. The
early display was modest. The
1880 display featured the floral mound. You can rest
and enjoy the view in a
rustic arbor
at the top of the hill. The first of three natural springs is
nearby and you can join other
visitors
for a refreshing drink of spring water if you like.
The Grotto
The Grotto begins to reveal itself in all its grandeur as we
descend through a
stone archway. You notice the luxuriant foliage and
a waterfall at the bottom of the steps. A second
drinking spring is nearby. You will notice the rockwork
is covered with creeping vines. Rustic seats
are conveniently placed for your rest and pleasure. It is not
uncommon to find a
romantic couple enjoying a quiet moment alone. We exit
the Grotto using a
stone stairway and see another view of the
garden and a battery.
We follow winding walks
past a
fountain and shaded benches to the Middle Lake.
The Middle Lake
The boat dock is full of excitement as
visitors anticipate a boat ride on the
McPherson. The Central Branch currently has seven boats
and we see old soldiers riding in a
paddleboat. It is nice to see the
defenders of our Nation enjoying their home. Some
old soldiers are sitting on the bank enjoying the
view. A miniature man-of-war named the
Garfield in honor of Major General James Garfield is anchored
in the middle of the lake. During the Civil War, the Garfield
was attached to the Cumberland. When the Rebels ran it down with
the Merrimac, the survivors were taken ashore on the Garfield.
It was cut down to its present proportions to appear in a parade
in 1881 at the inauguration of General Garfield as the twentieth
President of the United States. It was given to the Central Branch
6 months later after President Garfield died from an assassin's
bullet.
The Menagerie
We have
alligators in one of our ponds adjacent to the Grotto near
the east entrance. We have a small indoor nursery for
baby alligators. The
aviary is located at the Lower
Lake and can be reached by following one of the beautiful winding
walks and ascending and descending several stone stairways. The
Deer Park is beyond the aviary. We have 50 to 60
deer, which have been so domesticated that they are
quite tame and can be petted. Some fine specimens of elk may
also be seen here. Our menagerie includes a great bear and two
smaller bears which have been taught by their keeper to perform
many laughable antics. There is also a wolf, cunning foxes, and
a number of sly raccoons. We also have families of rabbits, pigeons,
and antelopes in enclosures. We
stroll from the lake and deer
park toward the main campus.
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