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F 129 PA5
QUIDE
FOR
MOUNT HOPE
CEMETERY,
5 31 1343
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. -FIZ9-
Chant
upright Dos
Shelf 1775
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
IN 20 1835
٥٨٠١٠٠
A GUIDE
OR
HAND-BOOK
FOR
Count
emetery,
WITH
PHOTO-ENGRAVINGS AND DIAGRAM.
31 10884
BY
EDWARD ANGEVINE
ROCHESTER, N. Y.
JUIN 20 1805 ( 9300-00 1
ROCHESTER, N.Y .: DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE BOOK AND JOB PRINT. 1885.
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FIZ9 RTAS
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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1885, by EDWARD ANGEVINE, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. -
All rights reserved.
DEDICATION.
This Guide or Hand-Book is. respectfully dedicated to NEWELL A. STONE, FREDERICK COOK, JOHN W. MARTIN, present Commission- ers of Mount Hope; GEORGE T. STILLSON, the Superintendent, GEORGE G. COOPER, and JAMES H. KELLY, who served for many years as Com- missioners with unwearying interest in the beau- tiful 'City of the Dead," and to the lot owners.
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· PREFACE.
The want of a Guide or Hand-Book for Mount Hope Cemetery has long been felt by lot. owners and the strangers who visit the place. To supply this want, the compilation and publi- cation of this volume was undertaken. It should be welcomed by every one who has a dear rela- tive or friend buried there, and by the thousands of visitors who seek the ground to admire all that is grand and beautiful in nature and the works of art, memorials of love and reverence to adorn the last resting place of those who are peacefully sleeping, awaiting the resurrection and glorious immortality.
It cannot be expected that every one of the thousands of lots, avenues, paths, etc., can be mentioned in a work of this character. If it assists the reader in a general way in finding the most attractive objects and locations, it will accomplish what was designed by the author. A day's ramble through the Cemetery by one not thoroughly acquainted with the formation of the grounds, the main avenues and sections, would prove unsatisfactory. With the Guide n hand
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and an occasional glance at the diagram, an intelligent tour can be made in two or three hours. A drive can be made in less time and the principal objects viewed without leaving the carriage. There are nearly twelve thousand lots in the Cemetery, and it will be seen that it is an impossibility to mention more than a respect- able and representative fraction of them. Many very pretty lots, tombstones and monuments have nothing on them indicating the name of the owner or the person buried. "Father," " Mother," " Sister," "Brother," "Baby," "Pet," etc., convey no information to the simple tourist, while to visiting relative or friend they impart a world of meaning and awaken tender memories.
Every citizen of Rochester has an interest in Mount Hope.
" There is no flock, however watched and tended, But one dead lanib is there ! There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended, But has one vacant chair."
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
Soon after the incorporation of the City of Rochester, the matter of locating a new Cem- etery was agitated. Several localities were suggested. The lamented William A. Reynolds was in favor of selecting the western banks of Irondequoit Bay.
On the 24th of August, 1836, in the Common Council, Alderman David Scoville offered a resolution that a committee be appointed to in- quire into the expediency of purchasing Silas Andrus' lot on the east side of the river "or any other lot in the city," for a burial ground and report at a future meeting of the Board. The first purchase was made of Silas Andrus, of Hartford, Conn., Jan. 2, 1837, being 531%% acres for which the then large sum of $100 an acre was paid. The earliest sale on record of this land as a distinct tract was April 30, 1817, when Elijah Northrup sold it to Eli Stillson, grand- father of the present Superintendent of Mount Hope, for $367. Mr. Stillson sold it to John Mastick, July 12, 1821, for $262, who sold it to Silas Andrus, January 1, 1822, for $287, and Mr.
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Andrus fifteen years later sold it to the City of Rochester for $5,386. Being just prior to the panic of 1837, values were greatly inflated. In- cluding this land the different purchases to the present day have been as follows :
When bought. Acres. Cost. Owner.
1837-Jan. 2. .. 53.86
$5,386.00
Silas Andrus.
1837-Dec. 9 ... 1.21 nom.
1839-Aug. 22. 9.39
1841-April 15. 9.02 902.00
1861-July 29. . 4.2157
3,000.00
Moses Hall.
Caleb Pierce.
1864-June 21 .. 7.82
1,947.79
Caleb Pierce.
1865-Jan. 25 .. 23.66
3,000.00
Eleazer Conkey.
1865-May I. .. 52.17
20,864.00
A. F. & G. P. Wolcott.
1865-Nov. 3. . 32.74
9,096.00
B. F. & Maria Hall.
1872-April 3. . 19
16,200.00
Heirs Hamilton estate.
1,875.00
Wm. Hamilton.
D. Stanley.
1864-June 15 .. 5.33
1,440 90
200.00 $63,711.69
DEDICATION OF MT. HOPE.
The Cemetery was dedicated October 3, 1838, three months subsequent to the first interment. The dedicatory address was delivered by Rev. Pharcellus Church, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rochester. The following extract is taken from his address :
The rural and picturesque scenery .with which we are sur- rounded, strikingly harmonizes with the object which has called us together. We have come to consecrate a home for the dead in which they may rest secure from the encroachments of in- dustry and avarice till the last trumpet calls them to judgment. Among these sequestered shades the living tenants of a bustling city will soon find repose.
Forty-seven years have fled since these words were uttered by the venerable preacher. Nearly forty-five thousand of our dead now sleep in the consecrated grounds, more, far more, than the population of the " bustling city " at the time of the dedication. Another half century and Mount Hope's inhabitants will exceed the pres- ent population of Rochester. With a thousand interments annually, it is not surprising that the interest of the living in caring for and beautify-
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ing the grounds grows apace. There are many still living who heard the dedicatory address, but the great majority have joined the "in- numerable throng " before "The Great White Throne."
The old entrance, Superintendent's office, waiting-rooms, etc., built in 1859, at a cost of a trifle over $10,000, were removed 1874, and the present entrance and structure erected at a cost of $17,000. James H. Kelly, Newell A. Stone and William S. Smith were then commissioners. In 1860 the present chapel and receiving vault were built at cost of $10,000. The structure has a pleasing exterior, but a gloomy, unpleasant interior, and is not of sufficient size. Of late years much attention has been given by the lot owners, who number over 10,000, to the improve- ment of the grounds. Many costly and beauti- ful monuments and vaults have been erected, creditable to the living and enduring memorials to the dead.
The valley to the left of the entrance and in front of the chapel was an unsightly swamp, unsuitable for burial purposes. The late Geo. D. Stillson, who, more than any other man made Mount Hope the beautiful place it is, construct- ed a tunnel through it, draining the water into the Genesee river. The tunnel runs directly under the Chapel and Receiving Vault. It is a
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grand monument to his engineering skill. He rests from his labors near by, and many a tribute is paid to his memory by those who pass his tomb. Mount Hope was his idol and loving care. It is fitting that he sleeps amid its beauties. The lands thus reclaimed and utilized by him, now form one of the handsomest localities in the Cemetery. [See engraving].
PERPETUAL REPAIR CONTRACT.
The adoption of an ordinance by the City of Rochester, in 1872, provides for the perpetual repair and care of lots and graves, from the interest of a certain sum deposited for that pur- pose. The lot owner, in availing him or herself of this privilege is assured of the fulfillment of the obligation on the part of the City, through the Commissioners and Superintendent of the Cemetery, aside from the satisfaction of contri- buting to the general appearance of the ground.
The following are the leading provisions of the ordinance :
SEC. I. Any person may pay to the Treasurer of Mt. Hope Cemetery, a sum of money not less than ten or more than one thousand dollars, for the purpose of keeping in order any lot or parcel
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of land in such Cemetery, and thereafter the interest obtained on such sum, shall, from time to time, as occasion may require, be expended on such lot or parcel of land by or under the direction of the Commissioners of said Cemetery.
SEC. 2. The Treasurer of Mt. Hope Cemetery shall immediately deposit such sums of money in such Savings Bank or banks as the Commis- sioners of said Cemetery shall direct, which moneys shall be kept in special deposit on interest apart from all other moneys belonging to Mt. Hope Cemetery.
SEC. 7. In no event shall the City ever be liable to repay the principal paid under this ordinance, but shall be liable for the faithful discharge of its provisions.
Many persons who invested in the perpetual repair fund have since died, leaving no relative or friend to look after their lots or graves. Yet they are cared for and the interest on investment expended on them and will continue to be. The other rules and regulations of the Cemetery are temporary, to be changed as expediency re- quires, but the above contract is unalterable. The neat appearance of the Dr. Carver lot is a notable illustration of the working of the ordi- nance.
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MOUNT HOPE.
Nature designed Mount Hope for the last resting place of those who "pass beyond the vale." The ridges, the hills, the valleys and dells, the sloping banks and terraced walks and paths, the lawns, the trees whose trunks are en- twined with brilliantly tinted woodbine, the willows with their arching branches, the stately oak and chestnut, among whose limbs the pretty squirrel disports, suggests that here the " weary are at rest."
Here the great mother guards her holy trust, Spreads her green mantle o'er the sleeping dust ; Here glows the sunshine, here the branches wave, And birds yield song, flowers' fragrance round the graves. Here oft to hold communion do we stray,
Here droops our mourning memory when away, And e'er when years have passed our homeward feet, Seek first with eager haste this spot to greet, And the fond hope lives ever in our breast, When death too claims us, here our dust shall rest.
[A. B. Street. ]
The entrance building for offices and waiting rooms, is of cut stone and is a creditable struc- ture. The gate-ways add to its appearance. Inside the gate the visitor enters upon a wide, smooth, graveled roadway. Passing a handsome drinking fountain on the right, the ground rises gradually to Indian Trail Avenue, with a carriage road and flag walk. The road on the left gently slopes into the valley, to the doors of the Chapel
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and continues on to Indian Trail Avenue, near Sylvan Waters; it is called Ravine Avenue. Just beyond the point of bifurcation of these avenues, is a large circular lawn ; in the center a flower mound thirty feet in diameter, and in the center of that, an elegant fountain which throws hundreds of sparkling jets of water high into the air. Between the Chapel and the car- riage road on the right before mentioned, is the fine vault of the late Gen. Jacob Gould and the granite mausoleum of Charles Rau. The view in this valley is faithfully reproduced in the engraving. The two largest monuments seen on the second lawn are those of John E. Morey, Sr., and of the late Dr. John B. Elwood. The Morey monument is one of the best proportion- ed in Mount Hope, and is very conspicuous from many points of view ; the bases and shaft are of granite ; a marble figure representing " Faith," surmounts the shaft ; it is an exceed- ingly fine piece of sculpture, the work of an eminent Italian sculptor, and is much admired. South-westerly and on the west side of Ravine Avenue in Section F. is the family vault of the late Lewis H. Morgan. It is of red sand stone and the interior is catacombed. Lewis H. Morgan was one of the most distinguished ethnological and archaeological scholars and authors of his time. At his death, 1881, he was President of the
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American Association for the advancement of science.
Before ascending to Indian Trail Avenue, for the purpose of economizing time and labor, we turn to the right and enter upon Section D. one of the nicest sections in the Cemetery. The whole of it is in full view from the public high- way Mount Hope Avenue. The ground slopes gradually from the ridge toward the Avenue. There are many nice monuments and lots on this section, notably those of Lewis Brooks, Richards and Weaver, James Stewart, Junius Judson, Azariah Boody, Wm. Maguire, Caroline M. Thompson, Royal C. Knapp, C. Priem, M. Filon. A pretty headstone bearing engraved Masonic emblems, marks the grave of the late George W. Aldridge. In this section are the . lots of Geo. A. Stone, James Vick, Jr., (dark granite headstone), Geo. and Conrad Herzber- ger, Henry Norden, Calvin Townsend, John G. Mutchler, Col. E. E. Sill, George W. Sill, F. Goetzman, Don Alonzo Watson, Thomas Leighton, H. Austin Brewster, Philander Cun- ningham, Romanta Hart, C. F. Wolters, Wm. Graebe, Henry L. Becker, Philip Bender, B. L. Sheldon, E. P. Shaffer. H. T. King, E. E. Bausch, S. J. Arnold, F. Fritzsche, F. Roth, John Hartel, Henry Walzer, Norman Day, (an elegant monu- ment). We here cross the northern extension of
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Indian Trail Avenue, and are upon Sec. C. which extends to the limits of the Cemetery on the west and north. The Genesee river runs at the foot of the bluff. A wedge shaped piece of land which runs south on the east side of Indian Trail Avenue, to a point in rear of the Chapel, in included in Sec. C. Linden Ave. is the main avenue running north and south, and Maple Ave. east and west in Sec. C. This ground is laid out in handsome and spacious lots, and there are many elegant and costly monuments. In the center is a large flower mound and a beautiful fountain. Among conspicuous monu- ments and lots are those of Casper Eckhardt, George W. Archer, John Vicinus, O. W. Moore, James Campbell, A. J. Hatch, Elon Huntington, Wm. N. Sage, E. S. Hayward, Simon L. Brew- ster, Levi S. Fulton, R. A. Sibley, Wright and David Todd, David Upton, Judge James L. Angle and J. A. Stull. The Fulton monument, though not large, is very handsome. This and the Eckhardt monument is of Richmond granite, the shafts surmounted with figures. Both came from the works of H. S. Hebard. Geo. H. Thompson's lot is close to the edge of the bluff. Here rests the late noble man whose name is inscribed on the fine granite monument. He was for a number of years a commissioner of Mount Hope, and took great pride in beauti-
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fying and making it one of the loveliest Cem- eteries in the country. He strongly urged the author of this work to engage in the labor of its preparation and publication. He was greatly beloved and respected in the City of Rochester, where he was born and where he died. His was an active life of usefulness to himself and others. Peace to his ashes. In this immediate vicinity are the lots of Newell A. Stone and Frederick Cook, Commissioners of Mt. Hope, Jacob Gerling and A. G. Yates. A granite sarcophagus graces the Yates lot. The cap has polished edges and upon it is an ornamental cross. It was put up by Trott & Weigand. F. Ziegler, R. Sauerteig, A. Spahn, and other prominent Germans of Rochester have in Sec. C. near the fountain, almost directly in the rear of the Superintendent's dwelling house a cluster of fine lots. The Sauerteig monument is a very pretty one.
In this section are also the lots of Philip Will, H. Bartholomay, Col. S. S. Eddy, D. L. Johnston, Philip Block, F. Schlegel, H. S. Briggs, Geo. H. Newell, Kate Lee Ashley, (here is buried the lamented Col. A. T. Lee), H. T. Huntington, Calvin, Nathan, Elon and Geo. Huntington, Martin Joiner, Benjamin McFar- lin, Wm. Knight, Calvin Huson, Chas. F. Smith, Dr. T. A. Proctor, John Bower, Chas. W. Briggs,
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Wm. H. Bosworth, M. J. Monroe, Mrs. Anna G. Christensen, (lately deceased), F. Ruckdeschel.
On the left, ascending by stone steps to the surface of a terraced bluff, we are on a plateau where are many very handsome lots. This is Sec. A. We note the lots of H. H. Warner, S. V. McDowell, Frank W. Embry, and the late Dr. D. M. Shipman. There is a fine monument on the latter. Especially worthy of study are the head stones on the lot of Mr. McDowell. They are of statuary marble and have artistically carved flowers and vines on the panels. They were made by Trott & Weigand. Close by was lately laid to rest John W. Canfield, who was one of Rochester's most prominent young busi- ness men. His death was generally lamented. A little south of this Wm. B. Burke has a fine lot. Mr. Warner's lot ere long will be supplied with a monument creditable to the cultivated taste and liberality of that gentleman. Before leaving this spot notice what a beautiful view of the river and city can be obtained. Walking easterly and descending to Linden Avenue, near its junction with Maple Avenue, we re-enter Sec. C. We here confront the colossal monument of the late Isaac Butts. He who was recently so prominent in the political, social and business circles of the country, sleeps here, and beside him his beloved wife Mary, who died blessed by
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thousands for a multitude of generous deeds of charity. Just on the right a Lockport limestone monument denotes the burial place of Daniel Anthony, who had a world wide reputation as one of the original abolitionists, the friend of the oppressed in all lands. The monument was erected by his son, the Hon. D. R. Anthony, of Kansas. It bears on its face the words " Human- ity," "Liberty," "Equality," "Justice." He
ended his labors here Nov. 25th, 1862. His mantle fell on the shoulders of his talented and philanthropic daughter, Susan B. Anthony, and all the world admires how worthily she has borne it. Here also are the lots of D. C. Ellis, J. W. McKindley, Gerry S. Copeland, and the lamented John W. McElhenney. The monu- ment on the lot of Geo. D. Waite is a fine one. In this vicinity, in Sec. A. a tombstone marks the spot where lies the dust of William Carter, who was the first person buried in the Cemetery. An inscription records the event. Giles Carter, a son of the deceased, is still living in Rochester. His father's interment occurred Aug. 18, 1838. Quite near to Mr. Carter's is the tomb of good old Prof. Dewey of High School fame, and whose memory is cherished by the " Old School Boys" of Rochester. He died in 1867, aged 84. He was a venerated instructor. Another pioneer, Josiah Bissell, of stage coach fame, and close
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by Zebulon and Martha, the father and mother of Henry S. Hebard, sleep peacefully. Andrew Semple and wife, father and mother of Andrew M. Semple, have here awaited for many years the summons of the putting on of immortality.
We have faced to the south on Sec. C. and are back of the Chapel. Here are the stately monuments and fine lots of John Robb and Samuel Wilder. On the right is the elevated lot of A. J. Johnson. The front wall is faced with red sandstone, with steps of the same material leading to the surface. Here reposes Johnson I. Robbins,. for years a prominent resident of Rochester. Directly over the chapel is buried Geo. B. Harris, who for years was a prominent fireman and public officer. No one knew bet- ter the history of Rochester and its old and leading citizens than he did. The late Henry Wray is buried near the Johnson lot. We note here also the lot of D. M. Dewey, located in the early days of the Cemetery.
Turning half around to the right, via Glen Ave., we descend into the finest valley in the Cemetery. Secs. U. and R. are on our left. On the western slope of the hill is located the Reynolds lot, one of the handsomest in Mount Hope. The heavy granite coping is in pleasing contrast with the green sward and its paths of white pebbles. The family monument, of granite, is
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an elegant one. The tablets bear the inscrip- tions, " Abelard Reynolds, born 1785 ; died 1878." " William A. Reynolds, born 1810 ; died 1872." Here also sleeps the sleep of the blessed, Mary Hart, the beloved wife of Mortimer F. Reynolds. She departed this life in 1879. The relict of the lamented Abelard Reynolds reached her hundredth year Sept. 22d, 1884. It will be but a little while before she is laid beside her late husband and son. It needs no stately pile of marble or granite to commemorate the virtues . and lives of Abelard and William A. Reynolds. One has only to cast his eye northward over the bustling City of Rochester to see their enduring memorial.
The lots of Dr. Thos. Arner, Ira Cook, (Sec. W.) and A. S. Mann, (Sec. R.) are on this slope. Each has a costly monument. The shaft of Mr. Mann's supports a large marble figure repre- senting " Faith." . In the east bank of Sec. R. fa- cing Glen Ave., is the fine vault of Mrs. Mary Fitch. Near the Reynolds lot, lately there was given to mother earth the mortality of the wife of Policeman George Long. A brown stone mon- ument just beyond marks the tomb of the late Dr. L. Kuichling, father of Emil Kuichling.
Ascending a flight of steps on our way to the summit, or Rochester Hill, a small and pretty monument marks the spot where sleeps Dr.
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John Fonda Whitbeck, who died Dec. 8, 1880, an event which carried poignant sorrow into hundreds of households where he had been the loved and revered physician for thirty years. Society generally mourned his loss, and the City of Rochester lost one of its most eminent professional men, one who in his ministrations to the sick knew not the distinctions of wealth and poverty. His kindness and aid to the younger members of the profession, made him their idol. His services at the City Hospital will ever be gratefully remembered. He had served as President of the Monroe County Medical Society, City Medical Society, and was a member of the State and National societies. All of these bodies took appropriate action on his death, Dr. Chas. Buckley and others paying eloquent tributes to his memory. As prelate of Cyrene Commandery he was cotemporaneous with Abelard Reynolds of Monroe Command- ery, and both now sleep in Mount Hope, very near each other, while a little further up the hill his friend and beloved brother in the profession, Dr. H. F. Montgomery is at rest. He was born at Claverack, Columbia Co., Sept. 27, 1812. His wife Mrs. L. E. Whitbeck, Dr. John W. Whit- beck and Mrs. C. R. Parsons survive him.
Just northwest of this spot is the pretty plat of Judge John S. Morgan.
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Originally there was a large knoll on the north side of this prominence, and it was known as "Revolutionary Hill," not " Patriot Hill," and here in 1841, the bones of Lieut. Boyd and his com patriots in Sullivan's army were interred with great pomp and ceremony. It was intend- ed also as the burial place of revolutionary soldiers. The bones of Lieut. Boyd were placed in a wooden urn, which crumbled from expos- ure to the weather, and they became scattered. Some of them were secured by persons now re- siding in Rochester and are kept by them as relics. There were those who proclaimed that the bones were not those of Lieut Boyd, but Mr. George H. Harris, the most eminent authority in Western New York on the subject, produces incontrovertible proof that they were. The knoll was cut down in 1864 by Chauncey Par- sons, who was the Superintendent, obliterating the historic spot. .
Gather him to his grave again, And solemnly and softly lay,
Beneath the verdure of the plain, The Warrior's scattered bones away.
By the removal of the knoll the slope was made to form an ellipses forty feet in diameter.
The summit of this section is called Rochester Hill. The pedestal of the monument of Robert Hunter supports a cross, and a broken column of
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granite on the same lot indicates the grave of Ex-Mayor A. Carter Wilder. All the members of the Rochester, Montgomery, Child, Hart and Hunter families who have departed this life are buried here, including Col. Nathaniel Rochester who died in 1831, and after whom the City of Rochester was named ; and Jonathan Child who was the first Mayor of the City, in 1834. Brevet- Major Charles S. Montgomery, who commanded the 5th N. Y., S. V. Regt., and who was killed in action before Petersburg, Va., Feb. 6, 1865, sleeps here.
Freedom hollows with her tread, The silent cities of the dead, And beautiful in death are they Who proudly fall in her array.
Close by is the tomb of Enos Stone, the first settler in Rochester, and the graves of others noted as the early pioneers of the Flower City.
Here also awaits the last trumpet call, Harvey F. Montgomery, who was one of the most promi- nent physicians of Rochester. His memory will always be cherished. Glen Avenue separates sections N. and R.
Having noted so many of the prominent objects on this section, the tourist has two routes open to him, first by crossing directly to Indian Trail Avenue, second, by returning to the entrance point. The latter route is the one we will take,
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