Garland Dells - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The editor of The Ledger and better half took advantage of the excursion over the C&SE to Garland Dell Sunday and had a most delightful trip. The weather was all one could wish and everything with one exception, conspired to add to the enjoyment of the occasion. The exception referred to was the fact that death had visited the family of the proprietor of the hotel at Garland Dell and snatched from the mother her darling babe. The moans of the poor mother in her distress and grief, called for sympathy and necessarily caused a feeling of sadness with the excursionists. Garland Dell is situated five miles northwest of Waveland so that from the latter place the trip had to be made in carriages. The drive was a delightful one, our party being lucky enough to secure rather an extra team and a specially genial and accommodating driver, to whom we were placed, under obligations for various special favors. The scenery at Garland Dell is magnificently grand and well worth a trip to see it.  One thing about its management deserving of particular mention is the difference from other please resorts, where everything is arranged with a view to getting as much money as possible from the visitors. At Garland Dell, just the opposite of that is true, and the effort appears to be to furnish as much as possible for the least money.

Source: Hamilton County Register Fri 19 Aug 1892 p 6

The third excursion over the Chicago & Southeastern Railway to Garland Dells (Shades) Sunday Aug 21, 1892, passed Noblesville at 6:50 a.m. $1.00 for the round trip. A general request on the part of the public for another Sunday excursion to Garland Dells or “Shades” has induced this road to run a third excursion.  The Anderson City Band is engaged for this occasion and will accompany the train. The managers of Garland Dells have arranged for a grand open air concert to be given on the grounds immediately surrounding the Garland Dells hotel. WS Parkhurst, Gen. Pass. Agent.  

Source: (Noblesville) Hamilton County Ledger Fri 15 Sept 1893 p 1

Next Sun an excursion party consisting of The Ledger correspondents and their friend will go from this county on a visit to Garland Dells near Waveland, Indiana. Any others who desire to go will be welcomed. The fare will be for round trip $1 to Waveland, 50 cents from there to Garland Dells and 10 cens admission into the ground. Mr. FA Stebbins, the gentlemanly proprietor of the Dell House writes The Ledger as follows in reference to our excursion party: “Our hotel is closed for the season but I will arrange and decorate the tables, furnish dishes, cutlery, etc. also furnish coffee, cream and sugar for your party at about cost. If there are any ladies in your party they can do the rest. It will be impossible for us to give any meals but will give them all other accommodations and try and make it pleasant for you. Will you please give notice in your paper that the hotel is closed except parlors and office, but plenty of hot coffee and good lunches will be served to excursionist.”  The excursion will leave stations as follows: Lape 7:25 a.m. Noblesville 7:50 a.m….Arriving at Waveland at 11 a.m. returning the train leaves Waveland at 6:30 p.m. If the weather is fair the trip will be a delightful one. Some have asked whether the description in last week’s Ledger is not somewhat overdrawn. The editor of The Ledger spent a day at Garland Dells and assures the readers of this paper that instead of the article referred to being overdrawn it does not have a fair conception of the wonders found there. Those who go will say that “the half had not been told.” The arrangement is that those who go will take their dinners along and enjoy the occasion in true old fashioned picnic style. About 50 of The Ledger correspondents have signified their intention to go. Mr WS Parkhurst, the gentlemanly General Passenger agent of C& SE Railway has kindly promised to set off a coach here Saturday evening fo The Ledger party so that we can each be sure of a good, comfortable seat. The recent rains having settled the dust, everything appears very promising that the occasion will be a most enjoyable one. Any others who may desire to join The Ledger party will be cordially welcomed.

Source: Noblesville Hamilton Co Democrat Fri 27 July 1888 p1

On Sunday July 29th the Midland Railway will run an Excursion Train from Anderson and intermediate points to Garland Dell and return. Baggage car will be furnished to carry baskets and picnic outfit. Train will leave Noblesville 6:50 a.m. fare for round trip including hack $1.35. At Browns Valley the part will  take carriage for the Dell. Returning leave the Dell at 6 p.m. and Browns Valley 7 p.m  Garland Dell is a noted health resort visited by thousands every season. Fill your lunch baskets and go and enjoy a day of recreation with this excursion. WB Hallsted, GPA H. Moore, Supt.

Indiana’s most picturesque spot lies five miles northwest of Waveland in Montgomery County and is known as “Garland Dells” or “Shades of Death.” Someone very appropriately termed it the “Yosemite” of the Hoosier State. A Ledger rep visited this beautiful spot of nature’s handiwork recently, and found it to be perhaps the most magnificent section for natural scenery to be found in the central states. The tract of land proper contains 170 acres and is the property of a company known as the Garland Dells Association composed of the following well-known and highly esteemed business men of Montgomery Co; Joel G. Deer; WA Dietrich; HJ Demaree; George Seybold and OM McCormick.  The “Dells” are under the management of FA Stebbins, who recently went there from St. Louis Mich. Under his skillful care they are becoming very popular as a summer resort and during the heated term the society people of Indianapolis and all the large central Indiana towns go there to while away the scorching days of June, July and Aug in the cool, refreshing atmosphere that comes whirling up from the deep valleys bellow in breezy currents. A first-class hotel is on the grounds and during recent years more than $10,000 worth of improvements have been added to the grounds to make the place all the more inviting to the summer tourist who seeks rest in quiet repose on the beautiful green sward of nature. Upon descending into the valley which is 150’ in depth with perpendicular walls one of nature’s most artistic pictures is before the observer. Rising on either side of him are solid masses of stone cut into nature’s rustic shapes with beds of handsome ferns growing here and there in hollow crevices. In the bottom of the deep ravine flows a tiny stream with its crystal waters playing hide and go seek with the small pebbles as it hurries forward to empty into Eagle Creek.  At the west end of this deep cut is what is known as the “Dead Spring.” It is said that the same water found there when first discovered is there yet.  Apparently it has no outlet and no water flows into it so far as is known. Continuing your walk down this beautiful hollow a few rods “Lover’s Leap” towers over a perpendicular wall at a height of 200’, Belo2 is a miniature fall or cascade where the shining drops of crystal water trickles slowly on its downward course to a depth of 75’.  Leaving the stream where it empties into Eagle Creek (I don’t think that’s correct) and taking a westerly course one is compelled to work his way up a steep flight of hills that can only be done by a firm grasp on the underbrush that is found on the way to the top. When the summit has once been reached the wearied traveler thinks that he has been well repaid for his toilsome journey. Swinging over his head is a continual stretch of stone more 300’ in length. Turning his back to this vast array of rock and looking northward he is able to see a distance of several miles and scan with much interest the surrounding country. The places of interest to be seen are too numerous to permit a detailed mention here but any one who has the available means cannot afford to let the opportunity pass and not see this beautiful scenery. It is one of the wonders of the great State of Indiana.

Source: Noblesville Hamilton Co Ledger Fri 19 Aug 1898 p 1

The Evangelical church will run an excursion to Garland Dells Aug 27th. Tickets $1.00; half fare 50 c. Those taking bicycles, 75 c. Come and have a good time. Tickets at Evangelical parsonage and Midland Depot.

Source: same 24 June 1918 Mon p3 – M/M OL Sumner and family; M/M Marvin Jessup & family and Miss Helen McMahon and Helen Sharpe motored to TR and Garland Dell Sunday and spent the day.

Source: CWJ 27 March 1872 p 2

Stone coal of a good quality has been found on the lands of Benjamin Garland, 7 miles northwest of Waveland. We also learn that coal has been found on the lands of MW Greene in the same neighborhood. We have not yet learned in what quantities it is founds or the probably thickness of the veins. We hope it may prove a success.

Source: Indianapolis News Sat 10 Sept 1904 p 24

Question of establishing of state hospital for consumptives probably will come up for consideration at the hands of next legislature. Agitation on the subject is extended and the attention of candidates for the Legislature has been called to it from various parts of the state by physician and philanthropists. So far as known the interest is not confined to any party, Mont Co citizens are advocation the selection of Garland Dells, widely known under the name of The Shades. 25 years ago Josephus Collett., State Geologist called public attention to these grounds and for many years excursion parties and campers have gone there. The ground is high and free from malaria. A large part of it has been preserved n its natural state. Mr. Blatchley, the present State Geo refers to it in his last report. It is among the remarkable formations in the State. Fine streams running between high bluffs and banks penetrate the region; caves great shelving rocks. Some of the finest oak trees yet remaining in the State are there and soft woods, including hemlock, pine and cedar. The advocates of this site say that it is one of the most healthful regions in the state, that the tract could be brought for a comparatively small sum of money and that it is remote from any contaminating influences. Dr. Moore of this city has an interest in the tract of land on which there is a summer resort. He has said that if the State wants the land, he will part with it.