September, 1908 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



365 



building, a certain origin in common, 

 has not been permitted to influence 

 either their style or their construc- 

 tion. Else why the shingled repro- 

 duction of "Mt. Vernon," or the 



property at once strikes one as a complete establishment. 

 The houses themselves having nothing to be wished for, one 

 passes on by lawns and flowers to some old time rose garden 

 and sees nestling among the trees a quaint and well appointed 

 stable and garage with the kitchen garden lying where the 

 morning sun can help the fertile soil to produce her best. 

 Hence there is perfect freedom and perfect latitude. The 

 estate is inclosed by no walls, and the roadways within open 

 freely to those without, of which, indeed, they seem but a 

 continuation. There are no restrictions other than those 

 that should obtain in every sensibly developed rural region, 

 while the advantages of living here are numerous and un- 

 usual. There is individuality in houses and grounds, together 

 with many natural streams winding here and there; there are 

 all the comforts and conveniences of luxurious living; there 

 is complete sanitation; and there are the completing attrac- 

 tiveness of beautiful scenery, exquisite outer surroundings, 

 and a very perfection of general out of the ordinary in 

 rural life. 



Can one want more? It certainly would be hard to ask 

 it, and quite as difficult to supply it. Surely it would be hard 

 to find a place where the utilization of the land had been 



" Pennacre " Is an Imposing Mansion Built of Harvard Brick 



stone and shingled "Gulphmont," or the quaint half-timbered 

 "Orchard Lea," or the stately brick of "Pennacre," or the 

 picturesque gables of stuccoed "Eastdene"? A wide variety 

 to study and to look upon, each an interesting type of house 

 in itself, and each placed in the most interesting manner, 

 exactly, so it seems, where it belongs, precisely on the spot 

 that seems best fitted to this particular design. 



After all the care that has been lavished on the ornamental 

 and architectural aspects of "Stoke Pogis," one may be sure 

 that the practical side has not been neglected. On the con- 

 trary, this has been developed in a very complete and ample 

 manner. The estate is about a mile and a half from the 

 nearest railroad station, Villanova, and the fine roads with- 

 out are well matched by those within. There is an ample 

 supply of "Springfield" water, the famous house water of 

 suburban Philadelphia, and artificial lighting is provided by 

 electricity. One may rent a house and land, or may pur- 

 chase it outright, as may be determined. Some restrictions 

 are necessarily laid in the matter of building, but these are 

 rules in the common interest, and are chiefly directed to the 

 prohibition of unsightly and unnecessary structures. No 

 comfort seems to have escaped the designers' eyes. Every 



more completely regarded as a pub- 

 lic trust. The occupants of these 

 charming houses, the owners of 

 these lovely gardens have rights 

 and privileges that ordinary estate 



