Vukote Development

From an article dated December 7, 1926

Mr. George Simpson is developing at Vukote on what is known as Addition C, a parcel of 12 acres, which has a frontage of six hundred feet on the lake and 900 feet on the state road. On this tract he has over two thousand feet of canal frontage that connects with the canal system, which has made this section so attractive. The acreage is jointed on the north by some of the Ziba Suttler holdings and on the south by the holdings of Mr. Norton. Mr. Simpson has gone to great expense to improve and beautify this land. It is covered with trees between the canal and the lake while the section between the canal and the state road is more open. It is all level and has a fine subsoil.

The acreage has been all filled in with a fertile sand which makes it perfect filling and the excavations from the canal spread out and leveled into fine building lots. The canal opens into Shermans Bay and then runs in for several hundred feet and turns north toward Maple Point. The area is lined with trees. The lake front at this point has a fine sweeping view of the lake embraced by the Shermans Bay section. Mr. Simpson has made an attractive lake front with a sandy beach and the sweeping line road curve of the bay as the point creates a beautiful view. Across the lake one has a fine view of the hills as they rise to the north and the beautiful picture of the east side of the lake toward Fluvanna makes one of the finest views on the lake. Mr. Simpson has employed competent landscape service and is building this region with a view to the future. Reaching from the state road toward Lowe Avenue to the mount of Goose Creek is one of the strikingly beautiful sections of the lake and at one of the most ideal points Mr. Simpson is developing a bungalow colony with a beautiful lake front and attractive canal frontage winding through his acreage.

There have been built and there are now under construction some twenty-one cottages. This particular point on the lake has proven an attractive resort for Pennsylvania folks. Some fifteen business men of Youngsville, Pa. have acquired attractive holds while a number have erected attractive cottages and beautiful bungalows. Ten lots have been sold to Bradford people while others from Pittsburgh, Warren and Conewango have secured lots and intend to build. Mr. Simpson has not been in a hurry about selling lots but is first developing his ground and making the surroundings attractive so that the parties who buy have a lot in shape to build at once.

Among some of the prominent business men of Youngsville, Pa., who have purchased holdings and erected summer homes are F.D. Beckinbach connected with the Youngsville Savings Bank; Mr. John D. Engstrom, the Clothing man, and P.F. Beckenbugh, who operate a large clothing store and house of shoes in Youngsville. A number of others from Youngsville are contemplating building. Mr. A. M. Schnell, the Postmaster of Youngsville and Mr. M.C. Brady, the Superintendent of the Hospital, have handsome cottages on this tract.

Youngsville is but about forty minutes ride from the lake. The Shermans Bay section of the lake is one of the nearest points of access to Pennsylvania and all northern Pennsylvanians have formed the habit of running over to the Shermans Bay section and a large number have become interested in the Vukote section. Another prominent Pennsylvanian who has become interest on the lake at this point is Wm. B. Cumbert of Pittsburgh, who is prominently connected with the City Government in Pittsburgh.

Mr. Simpson has gone about this development in a high class manner and has spared no expense in making improvements and this kind of work is the kind that makes property salable and is a benefit to everybody around here.

Vukote is rapidly becoming an attractive center. The equal centers and the shade trees and the winding shore line and the sandy soil and sandy beach makes it a most attractive section. Shermans Bay is rapidly developing from Celoron to the mouth of Goose Creek and it is within easily distance of Jamestown and is one of the main state road and is so located that it is at the point of access easiest to be reached by Pittsburgh and the Northwestern Pennsylvania towns. One can go to directly from Vukote to Mayville or Erie and turn in by Panama and to Pittsburgh or over to Warren or out by Sugar Grove. Fine roads and well improved highways made it a tourist's delight.