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PARK AND CEMETERY. 
POINT DEFIANCE PARK, TACOMA, WASH. 
Much interest is centeringon the state of Wash- 
ington, induced by an increasing knowledge of its 
natural resources as well as by the wonderful cli- 
mate which offers remarkable possibilities from the 
agricultural and horticultural standpoints. 
The success which promises in the growing of 
what have been hitherto known as Dutch bulbs, 
and other similar examples of plant life, on a com- 
mercial basis, leads to the suggestion that the 
state has a great future in horticultural pursuits, 
and in this connection it is but the turning of a 
thought to the question of public parks to impress 
one with the belief that in their development these 
ernment donated it for park purposes to Tacoma 
reserving the right to use it for defence require- 
ments if ever the occasion should arise. 
The history of its development has been one 
frequently met with — lack of public interest, insuf- 
ficient funds, and the persistent effort and enthus- 
iasm of the superintendent in charge, to overcome 
the obstacles and to finally win recognition. This 
in a few words explains the conditions prevailing 
over Point Defiance park, which Mr. E. R. Roberts, 
to whom we are indebted for photographs and 
particulars, bids fair to control after nine years of 
effort. 
For park purposes ideal conditions exist here; 
POINT defiance park, TACOMA, 
should display conditions quite distinct in their 
general features. 
Mention has been made occasionally of the 
park interests of Tacoma, as connected with its 
beautiful city breathing spot, Wright park, and the 
grounds in course of development about the uni- 
versity, and the illustrations herewith will intro- 
duce the reader to that splendid acquisition of the 
city. Point Defiance park. 
This park is a tract of primeval forest of some 
640 acres in extent, so close to the city of Tacoma 
as to be connected by a street car line, and embrac- 
ing well nigh all the advantages connected with 
park economics that can be conceived. It covers a 
point of land jutting out into the sea and was 
owned by the government, the intention being to 
fortify it if necessary. Some years ago the gov- 
WASH. — superintendent’s HOUSE. 
the waters of Puget Sound bathe three sides of it, 
tending to moderate climatic variations as well as 
to afford all the delights pertaining to sea shore 
recreation. Its forest features, only improved the 
more to emphasize them, in combination with a 
wonderful profuseness of floral production and 
other details of park development, including a 
small zoological collection, offer opportunities of 
recreation, pleasure and study only to be realized 
under like circumstances, a fact which makes this 
park almost unique. 
The illustrations given — the superintendent’s 
house and surrounding grounds, the rustic bridge, 
and the forest path, serve to indicate prominent 
features. 
The view of the superintendent’s house suggests 
the floral possibilities due to the climate and soil. 
