Postcard from the Past – A Delightful Home in a Special Place

Settling of the West could not be complete until good homes were built. The May 23, 1895 issue of the hometown weekly newspaper portrays one “Delightful Home” as thus:

“On Tuesday, Attorney Alfred Heath and The Sun man went to the beautiful ranch of W.B. Cowan and took lunch with that estimable gentleman and his charming wife. Those people possess an ideal home in a lovely spot, and its charm is daily being made more powerful by the additions and improvements of the grounds surrounding it.

“The house, which was constructed by J.H. Jefferson, of pine logs, several years ago, stands in a bend of the river, adjacent to a thick grove of cottonwood trees and is flanked on the east by a range of high picturesque bluffs. It is modeled after the styles of old country residences, with a hall running the full length through the center of the building, in which an old fashioned fireplace holds a prominent place.

“The furnishings are in keeping with the character of the building, and it would be hard to conjure up a more delightful, picturesque and inviting interior than is presented by this building.”

Of course, if you have a beautiful home you must have a special place to build it. In the same issue of “The Saratoga Sun” appeared the following advertisement:

Saratoga, Wyo.

To the Public

“No place in the West presents the same advantages in the way of location, climate and natural resources as the town of Saratoga. Situated on one of the loveliest streams of water in the world, in the midst of a fine stock raising and agricultural country and surrounded by mountain ranges, it is sure to be the Denver of Wyoming.

“The climate is mild and invigorating, the scenery delightful and romantic, and a score of medical hot springs rise right in the midst of the town to lend their healing virtues to the many other attractions with which the town is surrounded. The best of public schools, fine churches, a public hall and a public library are to be found in this attractive city.

“Business and dwelling lots are to be purchased on very reasonable terms. Now is your time to invest, while prices are low and terms easy.

“There is abundance of water for irrigation and thousands of acres of land in the country immediately surrounding this town open for settlement. Come and make your homes in a land where you will never know want, where the soil yields, in the greatest abundance, everything that mankind needs and where a poor man may become wealthy by honest toil.

“For information Address: The Sun, Saratoga, Wyoming.”