The Evening Standard – June 15, 1901

The following is an excerpt from A Brief History of Salters Point compiled by Alice F. Jeffries and Rita E. Steele. (1971) As you read it, imagine the Salters that we know and love as it once was more than a century ago in all its original splendor. 

“Desirable shore resort within easy reach of city. Natural advantages enhanced by popular improvements. Boating, Bathing, Fishing, and Golf Links among the Attractions.”

In this imperfect world of ours no summer resort is ideal although the ingenious prospectus of those who have lots to sell on easy terms would like us to us think so.

Often the ‘beautiful view,’ the ‘cool breezes’ is the ‘magnificent surf’ when one is actually on the scene or castaway in the shade of blemishes so manifest that the eye can see nothing else. But some summer places are better than those in Salters Point is better rather than worse.

As a matter of fact trees on Salters Point are conspicuous by their absence, and the only serious objection to the place is the lack of shade. However, according to those who know the place, the growth of every shade trees is prevented by the very thing which largely makes up for the lack them – namely, the wind.

Except for the lots that have been sold off, the Point is in the hands of two parties. A tract of about 77 acres, comprising the end of the Point where most of the Cottages have been erected, is owned by a Syndicate of New Bedford men, of which George F. Bartlett is the trustee, while the remainder is in the control of Henry G. Dennis and Walter I. Knowles. Both parties have improved their properties and in selling lots, impose certain conditions which are to the advantage of summer residences.

For example, the Syndicate requires that no building but dwelling houses shall be erected on any lot. This does away with all outhouses and barns, and adds greatly not only to the trim appearance of the Point but to the view from other cottages. With every lawn goes a title to the land enough for a stable or barn on a track set apart for that purpose at some distance from the cottages. There are five conditions all told which Syndicate imposes, as follows:

• First, no buildings other than a dwelling house shall be erected upon the granted premises
• Second, no building shall be erected within 10 ft of either line of the above-described lot
• Third, earth closets, water closets, and privies shall all be located under the roof of the main building or ell
• Fourth, neither spirituous, intoxicating or malt liquors made, or sold, or kept for sale on the granted premises
• Fifth, no lot or building shall be used for any purpose in violation of law

The most noteworthy convenience is the system of Water Works. Those who have suffered the inconvenience of having to lug water in pails from some spring or pump will appreciate the advantage of having running water in the house, with as many faucets tubs and closets as are desired. At Salters Point, the water is pumped from a spring the foot of the hill to the westward.

Another convenience of Salter’s Point is its accessibility. The trip from the city down can be made in an hour or less, and those who wished can take the cars to Padanaram and go from there in the stage, which makes two trips daily between Padanaram and Salters Point Inn.

Any institution which appeals to nearly all the residents is the golf links on the syndicate track and the club maintained in connection therewith. Their popularity is shown by the large number of people who make use of them to putt or to ‘snoodle it out with a niblick’ or whatever it is golfers are accustomed to doing. The links comprise nine holes over a course a little over a mile long. Besides the golf links, James T. Smith and Alvin H. Waite, two of the owners, run a bowling alley and a pool table, which are availed of quite extensively during the season.

The majority of the residents on their own cottages, but there are nine belonging to the syndicate. Three of these are used in connection with the hotel – The Salter’s Point Inn – which occupies an advantageous site on the Point. The hotel itself is comfortably filled up, with good wide verandas without which a summer house is a ship without a rudder. The manager is Mrs. Harriet F. Sweet. In closing, it might not be amiss to say a word about how Salters Point or Saltus Point as it is sometimes written- got its name. There are two explanations. One is that it was once occupied by a man named Salters, and Captain John C. Smith, an old resident of the Point says he remembers such a person. The other is that the name is derived from the salt works once operated there, but long since abandoned and removed. But, what’s in a name? As a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, Salters Point would be just as a good place no matter what it might be called.