Repository: UIHistories Project: Sophograph - 1889 [PAGE 38]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

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EER PARK glen, situated about four miles southeast of LaSalle, IiL, is one of the most remarkable formations in the west, and in beaut) rivals the noted glens o$ the east and far west. At Deer Park the St. Peter's sandstone usully found at great depths ap pears at the surface. In its bosom the waters of ages have carved out this wonderful glen—a gorge 170 feet deep encased in perpendicular walls festoone< with vines, ferns, flowers, scarred by the rushing floods of untold ages, with the trees of the forest above growing at the very edge of the cliffs. The Park is divided by nature into two sections, the upper glen and lower glen ; the two being separated by a cascade 40 feet high Throughout the entire length of the glen, one and one-half miles, new beauties of verdure, of falling water, and marvels #of formation continually delight the visitor. The entire glen is one grand wonder whose form and grandeur are strangely out of keeping with the unpicturesque country surrounding. It remains as nature finished it, save for a few improvements necessary for the convenience and comfort of visitor

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Weary of the endless routine of business life, let us cast off all care and spend a day communing with nature Having arrived at die via the Chi cago Rock Island and Pacific or Illinois Central railroad we put up at the Harrison House We rise early, partake of a hearty breakfast, I amply su plied with lunch baskets are ready for the day's pleasure. It fine mornii in June. The air is clear, cool and refreshing, even our sp , of baj D I eujoy it, for our hack though well weighted down seems to be no loa< at all for them. Driving down a ste rocky street, and cro tl Illinois and Michigan ranal at its foot, we leave the bu city I hit and drive out upon the rich bottom of the Illinois river. Ti. u n ha just risen above the woods to our left and w look down the v.illc\ right the broad Illinois river looks like a waving line i ,ing gra fully to the right and l < past the city of I u im i ir. highway bridge, now approa ling the pn tons blu and * me si and then on the her, till it is 1 m the! and mist I medi. Iy to our h I e vallc is a by the elegant nd viadu f the llli >is < al > ilroad b tin a, a hu if mg (l: n a osa the bot m land ai h* v brid s| ing the Nlin< up .1 * * s till v\ em upon th evel 1 ri< .1 uin