Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-10-23
EXTENSION OF THE LOUISA RAIL. ROAD.

EXTENSION OF THE LOUISA RAILROAD
We copy the following article from the Char
iottesville Advocate Of Saturday last. The edi-
tor does not appear to be aware of the fac, tina,
there is much more eligible passage for Rail-
Road through the Blue Ridge than that at Rock
fish Gap, and that therefore there is additional
reason for extending the Louisa Railroad to this
point. The passage to which we refer is about
five or six miles below Rockish, and on nearly
direct line between this place and Charlottesville.
1t was examined in the spring Of 1889 by cou,-
pany of gentlemen from S,aunton, among Whom
was Jos. K. ANDERSON, esq, (now of Richmond)
then Engineer the Valley Turnpike, who spoke
most favorably of it. The mountain, at that
point, we understand, presents no appearance of
depression, and this is no doubt the reason il had
SO long escaped notice. The passage is opened
on this side by a draft between two parallel
ridges, which penetrates the mountain nearly on
a leve! for three miles. Here a narrow belt or
ridge, two or three hundred yards in width, is in.
erposed, which 1t will be necessary to tunnel
A ridge Is then struck on the other side, which
affords an easy descent to the country below
We agree with the Advocate that the people of
Albemare and Augusta ought 10 bes,ir Them
selves on this subject. There is no probability,
however, in our opinion, Of the Louisa Rail Road
being carried to Harisonburg. The difficulties
presented by the Blue Ridge on that route, &C
cording to Engineer Thompson's report, were
regarded as insuperable, and we have not felt
disposed to incur the impu,ation of beinr "self-
ish" by making movement on the subject be-
fore the meeting of our neighbors' Convention.
Extension Of the Louisa Railroad from Gordonsyiiie
Active excrtions arc now being made to extend the
LOUISA Railroad from its present terminus Gordons
vile TO Harrisonburg Rockingham county, aud con-
vention to promote that object is to be held there on
Monday next. Various sections interested in the i'm
Provemcnt have already appointed delegates be in
attendance. Richmond moved in the matter ON w cd
nesday last; and Louisa too, (f mistake not) has
appointed large and intelligent delegation.
secms to us remarkable that the wealthy and enter
prising counties Of Albemac and Augusta have remain
cd SO perfectly silent and suffered this plan to be pro-
posco and enlist in its their own natural adyo-
cafes without word in favor of their claims taking
any steps TO prove that these counties present the most
natural and eligible site for extension of the road in
question.
In the first place, it very clear that no Railroad fer
minating at Harrisonburg Staunton would pay the
cost OF consructiontha order do So it would be
necessary for the projectors of thc extension TO look
10 an immediate or ultimate terminus the Ohio River
at Guyandottc Parkcrsburg, TO communicat, there
with the immense trade and travel upon its watcrs-
hc LOUISA RailrOad, pad Stock as 1t
would become much worse investment by being OK
tended to arrisonburg, for whilst the trade and travel
could not be than doubled, the farthcst the cost
OF excavation from Gordonsvic Harrisonbury would
be at least four times great that from the Junction
TO Gordonsvillc, upon this immense expense
must be encountered in grading the Southwest
pass at Barboursyle and c Blue Ridge at Swift Run
or Simmons Gap. But after getting Railroad to Har
risonDnrS, immense difficulties would present them
selves, IN extending ii to the Ohio River.
Now IL the extension should be made to Stanton by
way OF charlottesville the Southwest mountains would
be avoided, and Rocksh Gap presents far more prac
tcabe and less elevated pass than either Swift Run or
simmons. and upon this route which would cost much
less than the other great deal of money would be- sub
scrbcd by individuals whereas upon the Harrisonbure
route, but nconsidcrablc could in this wav be
raised.
We however would regard the extension to Staupton
rs not worth the effort, unless there should be further
extension to the Ohio and that the strong
est (d indeed II Is conclusive rcason) in favor of this
route Is that from Stanton Railroad of an easy grade
Tor locomotives may be laid down either Parkersburg
or Guyandotte Indeed obvious the natural adj.
vantaSeS OF this route that have fear that any
other will be taken from Gordonsvllc TO the Ohio
II is matter in which the citizens of Charlottesville
arc deeply interested for the proposed Railroad to Har
risonbnrs would pass about 10 miles us and cut
us oil from the country upon which trade is mainly
dependent, and to which the attention of our cntcrprs
ing merchants has recently been directed with view TO
more extended operations.
II is time for Abemarlc and Augusta to move i'm this
matter the the better and we venture TO sur
gest the proprety of holding public meeting in Char
lottesvillc, at carly day consider the whole sub
ect.