Past Memories

PAST MEMORIES Half-way House - Jharipani Four miles from Rajpur 5,000 Ft. above sea level .... four miles to Mussoorie it was a half way house known as Jharipani. It used to be the halting site for light refreshment and provided an extensive and beautiful view of the Doon valley. Rickshaws were available @Rs.5/- for two persons from Hotel Savoy. The DANDI "Dandy" was a long wooden chair carried by four people and two relief men. This was the mean of transport from Rajpur to Mussoorie covering a distance of 8 miles. The charges for hiring these dandies was 3 annas for 2 hours and 9 annas for 8 to 10 hours and were applicable during 6 am to 8 pm. By night 8 pm to 6 am one half more than the above was charged.

The Mussoorie Sanitarium The sanitarium was located on the Mall and was a non-residential Institution with the up-to-date equipment to be found in India for the Scientific application of Rational methods in treatment of diseases. Treatment included Hydrotherapy massage, baths of every description. Facility of soft X- rays, violet rays, electric light baths and radiotherapy was available.

The Electric Picture Palace The picture palace used to be the famous place exclusively for Pictures measuring 71 by 30 and had a splended refreshment lounge, a good billiard room fitted with "John Roberts" tables and was very famous. There used to be two shows daily at 5 and 9 pm. Films used to change twice a week.

RINK CINEMA THEATRE The splended RINK theatre measuring 127ft x76 ft was the home for all visiting Theatrical Companies, used by local amateurs, schools & colleges for entertainment. All India Boxing Tournament used to be held there, it had a capacity to accommodate 4,000 people on floor and balconies.

First MOTOR CAR In the third week of June in the year 1920 a Ford Motorcar arrived the station on the cart road. The car was driven over the roads between Library, the Charleville Hotel, Herne Dale around the Camels Back up Kulri and down Fitch Hill presently the railway out agency. The journey took one hour from Rajpur up to the hill.

Mussoorie Electric and Water Supply Whole of the Mussooorie town used to derive its electrical energy for lightning and power purposes from the Generating Station, situated at Galogi, which also supplied power to Rajpur and Dehradun. Water for driving the generators was taken from Bhatta & Kiarkuli streams. The water-works used to be electrically operated from the two pumping stations namely the Murray pump and the Bhilaru pump, which are still functioning.