Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1882 — AN IMPROVED RAIL WAY-STATION [ARTICLE]

AN IMPROVED RAIL WAY-STATION

Ac encouraging sign of the tunas i* the interest whkfil has been manifested of late by otar railroad - officials in the appearance of the stations on their lines. Many of these buildings and surroundings, -which were formerly ‘eyesores, have been so beautified by the judicious expenditure of some thought and a little money that they now land an added charm to the landscape, and were t hey to be removed they would be missed with regret * «; , I had occasion lately to visit one of these recently-improved stations. The natural surface of the ground rose rapidly in the rear of H the building, and along the edge of the great rock mass cut through just here by t£ie railroad gurgled a small, tumbling Till across the road, under a board or two. Except just above the station, where everything had been thoroughly cleared away, bits of rock abounded, and these had been utilized in a picturesque manner. Immediately around the station ran a car-riage-road with an oval circuit for turning. On one end of this circuit, near the station, was a weeping beech, and the other extremity was occupied by n group of flowering shrubs that, although too-freshly planted to blossom that year, already impressed the eye as an attractive mass of bright green foliage. Here and there, near the house, were planted pleasant shade-trees, such as the linden, oak apd maple. It should be remembered that by thus planting large shade-trees the architectural effect of the building was greatly enhanced, because the side toward the railroad, which is the true front, was uninterfered with. Passing mention is made of this, because objection might otherwise be fairly raised to shutting in the building with trees. The entire work had been completed rapidly, but with evident thoroughness. Rich, well-tilled soil had been seemed, and the paths were solid and properly constructed. All the edges of the walks were bordered by cut sods, and remaining ground was sewed with grass-seed that, by the good luck that sometimes accompanies good management, had come up evenly. A single path wound through the small domain, carried hither and thither so as to obtain the best views of the river near by, as well as the utmost variety of surface. It was surprising how large the place seemed aq one rambled over this undulating path. The matter of-fact visitor was even betrayed into the expression that it was as good in it» way as anything in Central Park. - Scribner.