1871-03-08 Engine House & Vicinity: Superintendent Folsom to Trustees, 1831.033.037A

Mount Auburn, March 8th, 1871.

To the Trustees of Mt. Auburn Cemetery,

Gentlemen,

There is a large area of vacant land near the Engine House which is very nearly graded and ready for sale; and which would sell readily, were it not for the rubbish heaps which now encumber the spot.

These rubbish heaps cannot very well be got rid of as long as our carpenter work (making of coffins, repair of wagons, &c.) is done near that spot.

To the end of getting rid of this rubbish, and thereby facilitating the sale of these lots, I would respectfully recommend the removing of the carpenter's work over to the Stone Meadow; Enclosing a part of it with a not very heavy fence, and building a small carpenter's shop there.

The present carpenter's shop will be needed where it now is for a blacksmith's shop,

and for storing tools; for neither of which is there now proper accommodation.

The present blacksmith's shop, (which needs raising & rebuilding,) will be needed for a coal house for the Engine; thus getting rid of the present unsightly coal-pile

The present buildings are gothic in style, and correspond to the Engine House, and are therefore fitted to remain in and near their present position.

By enclosing them with a hedge, (the material for which we have already on hand,) the whole place will become neat and attractive, and the lots, now unsaleable, will go off rapidly. About $10,000 worth of land will thus be brought into market at very slight expense.

The cost of the new carpenter's shop I estimate at (carried over) $500

[image: map of Mount Auburn with sketch of plan, near Engine House]

Explanation.

A = Engine House B = Present Carpenter's Shop, to be used as Blacksmith [do?] &c C = Present Blacksmith's shop, to be used as Coalhouse C = Same moved to its place for Coalhouse. D = Yard enclosed by hedge -- E, E, E &c = Lots made available by this change. F = Present Shed for Bricks, Lime, &c. G = Proposed Carpenter's Shop. H = Proposed Fence.

New Carpenter's shop --	$500.--
Fencing required on Stone Meadow --	150.--
Moving Coal House & filling up --	250.--
	$900.--

If the above plan meets the approval of the Trustees, I would like permission to carry it out at such times during the coming season, all may fit in with our other work.

Very respectfully

C.W. Folsom, Supt.

P.S. The engine-house itself is not at all objectionable; it is a tasteful building, and noiseless. The blacksmith's shop will be no objection, as that is mostly used in the winter, when no one is about.

The above changes will remove all objectionable features, and the land will sell as high as any land in a corresponding part of Mt. Auburn.

I enclose a map of the grounds, with sketch on it of the changes proposed.

Respy C.W.F. Supt

Engine=house & vicinity Corr. from Supt. & Rep. of Com. on Grounds in ref. to certain improvements.

Accepted, Apr. 12th, 1871. (V=71.).

The within communication having been referred to the Com. on Grounds with full powers, has been considered by said Committee and the Superintendent instructed to carry out the plan of improvements suggested. --

For the Com.

John T. Bradlee Chⁿ.

April 1871.