Mt. Arie or Ariat Observatory, Orange County, Indiana, circa 1885

Description:	This picture of Mount Ariat Observatory in Orange County, IN was taken sometime around the 1880s by J.C. Stewart, a photographer of French Lick Springs. Mt. Arie, the second highest point of land in the State and more than five hundred feet higher than the valley at West Baden. From the Orleans Progress, 10 October 1895, Ed. F. Buerk, an Orange County boy, with his native wit and genius polished up by years of travel, saw the place and an opening for an investment. Out of his ideas grew Mt. Arie Observatory, a mammoth structure eight stories high, towering above the monarchs of the forest and visible from almost every quarter of our country. An easy stairway runs to the top where the pavilion is enclosed with a balustrade and where you can get a breath of pure mountain air, that will amply repay you for climbing to its dizzy heights.On the ground floor you find the Sample Room, where cold German lunches are served in a manner that betrays the Southern school of hospitality. In his management of the place Mr. Buerk is ably assisted by his wife, a courteous and affable little lady whose hospitality is, if possible, even warmer that her husbands. Mr. Buerk is a capital entertainer, and to this trait more than any other a large amount of his success is due. Guest who have visited West Baden for years will visit Buerk of for no other purpose than to enjoy for a few moments the cordial welcome always extended to his friends.
Origin:	1885, circa
Source:	http://indianaalbum.pastperfectonline.com/photo/566D381C-439F-434F-8F18-172427483582
Collection:	Indiana Album
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/
Geography:	Orange County, Indiana, United States
Subjects:	Joan Hostetler Collection Observation towers Orange County (Ind.)

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