Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-04-27

the county Of Augusta to Harrison burg. and
thence down the Valley, have nearly CON. |
structed turnpike road from the Warm
Springs, through jennings Gap to Harrison.
burg The effects of this road are already
per,ep,ible in our county. large portion
of the trade and travel has already been hi-
verted, even before the road is entirely fin.
ished, and we are threatened with an increase
of the mischief when that road is finished
and the road from Harrisonburg down the
valley is improved. This rendered some
counteract;ng measure necessary on the part
of Augusta, ana charter has accordingly
been obtained Tor the construction OF a turn
pike road from Staun,0n To Covington. As
part of the road has already been made
though 1t IS a good deal out of repair, the act
of incorporation provides, that on the part
| already made, no more tolls shall he charged
than are necessary to keep so much of the
road in repair. This road is one of vital i'm
portance TO Augusta county. IF i, is made
il will not only restore the trade and travel
which has been diverted by the Harrisonburg
and Warm Springs roadbutit will increase the
travel through our county, by drawing off
large number of persons who would other
| wise travel 10 the springs, and the South
west, through Lexington, and by other and
more circuitOus routes. II will reduce the
distance from Staunton to Callaghan's from
81 l-2 miles, the present distance by the
stage route, Ia about 70sor II miles, and IT
will avoid, altogether, the Warm Springs
mountain, and Morris's hill, which will he
equivalent to a reduction of near five miles of
distance more. The consequence will he
that traveller passing up the valley To the
springs or TO the Ohio river, will find, when
he gets TO Harrisonburg, that il will be TO
his interest 10 pass through Staunton, and
thence along the Covington DAD, rather than
TO take the Harrisonburg and Warm Springs
road: Strange as II may seem, the distance
by that route ill be about the same from
Harrisonburg to CalIaghan's, on the Guyan-
dotte road, as by the HArrisonburg & Warm
Springs road, and the traveller will have IA
better road, less rate OF toll, and he will a
void two long, tedious and dangerous noun
| taIns. know that many will at first he dis
posed to doubt the accuracy of these state
ments as To the distance, and TO satisfy nll
such, ! I'LL resort tn facts and figures which
none can controvert. The distance from
HarrisOnburg TO the Warm Springs by the
turnpike, is 81 miles, and The distance
thence to Caliaghan's, is 81 miles, making
an aggregate OF "a 1-2 miles The distance
through stanton and COvington, is as fol-.
lows: From Harrsonburg 10 Saunlon. %
miles, (Which will probably be reduced by
the turnpike from Staunton to Covington,
ID miles, from CUvington 10 Callaghan's, S
miles, making an aggregate distance of 90
miles, or one half mile more than the other
route.
Another important road to Augusta is the
road through the Dry Branch gap. This
road will intercept great deal of the trade
and travel which now passes on To Harrison
burg. ]! makes The distance from Staunion
10 the " arm Springs, some four or five
miles shorter than the present stage route,
and II opens ready means OF access to the
Pastures, which is our great magazine of
plank, scaniling, shingles, and other timber
| and lumber. There is charter for this
| road, and trust that our citizens will readi-
ly subscribe three fifihs of the amount ne.
cessary 10 make it. and there is no doubt that
The State will take the remaining two fifths
he whole length Of The road is about 8 or 9
miles.
The next road for which there is charter
| and subscription by the State of two filths
ct the stock, is the road from Staunton TO
Jennings gap. This road is of great i'm
portance TO The whole county, and particular.
ly to the n. w. section. II will be The cas-
tern terminus Of the S,aunton and Parkers-
hurg road, and upon the completion Of that
road, IT will command an immense travel
The Legislature have also granted char
4
| ron Works, and from Staunton through Mt.
Sy dney, &c. 10 Harrisonburg They are
both important roads, but they will necessa-
rily Conflict with each other, and that which
Can enlist the greatest public spirit and en-.
terpriZe must bear off the palm. The for
iner road will intercept good deal of travel
| going from Harrisonburg wesiwardIy to.
ward the Warm Springs, and will he val.
liable auxiliary 10 the Stanton and Coving-
ton road. The latter is link in the great
valley route, and It behooves those " no live
on ii, TO improve il, or the trade and travel
will be diverted by Miller's Iron works, as
II is understood that The stock in The Miler's
Iron works road will be taken.
| The Legislature have also ordered sur
vey of a route for road from Stanton by
Port Republic, and Luray, through Thorn
toms gap, 20 Warrenton, in FauuIier, so as
To connect Stanton and Warrenton by the
nearest and most practicable route.-This
| road, il is understood, will certainly I've made,
u The report Of the engineer confirms the
| favourable opinion which is now entertained
as to the route. The distance by this road
to Washington city, will be about 40 or 45
miles less than by the routes now travelled,
and rs soon as il is completed, a line Of Stages
will, doubtless, be put upon it, and il will be.
come the great tboroUgbfare to Washington
city. This line and the Covington road to-
gether, would furnish the shortest and best
communication between the East and the
West.
Another act of the late session Of The Gen
eral Assembly, which is destined TO exert
most suspicious influence on the prospects of
our whole county, and more especially Of The