Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-01-02
Immediately upon leaving Staunton. il becomes

Immediately upon leaving Stanton, it becomes
question whether the present turnpike should be
pursued, or new location be made up n shallow
hollow parallel to it, and distant to the left on an
average chains; the latter course is decidedly
TO be preferred. This choice is presented for a
distance of about 81 miles, far as Smiths hill,
al which point 1t becomes necessary to adopt the
bed of the turnpike, and keep in it as far as Chris
tian's creek, miles from Staunton.
At the creek, choice of routes is again offer
ed, either to bend around hill which slopes
steeply down to it, and presently re-entering the
turnpike, follow the same to the base Of the Blue
Ridge; or to pass to the right, taking about the
course of what is known as the old road 10
Waynesborough, up the valley Of Goose run TO Mil
ier's plantation thence ranning in easteriy
direction towards the turnpike, and in,ersecting
it at point about nine miles from Staunton.
The route just described, offers the advantages
of easy grades, light transverse slopes, better
soil than the turnpike, greater abundance of and
accessibility to rock better exposure, and passes
through more popuous neighborhood. 1t will,
however, be about one-half mile longer than the
turnpike to the same point, and may encounter the
expense of land damages; but If relinquisI,-
ment of these can be obtained, would not, upon
final location, hesitate to adopt it..
AT the point Of intersection laS above men,
toned. the turnpike is resumed and adhered tc in
its course through Waynesborohgh, and until
point distant about 134 miles from Stanton is
reached. Here it is necessarily abandoned, and
the ascent Of the Blue Ridge iscommenced the
new line diveIging to the left,rses to the top of
the ridge, with grade never exceeding 81 de-
grees, and varying from it opy where curves re-
qure its diminution, and where levels are left for
the insertion of drains.
In the ascent OF the mourtain, the turnpike is
twice crossed, and just touched again at Rockfish
gap, on the summit.
Several experimental lines were run down the
eastern side Of the ridge, and that finally regard
cd &C ftp hacf 1oau tbof a.,
passes to the left of it; descending with grade
of 81 degrees, it arrives at what may be consi-
dered the base of the mountain at point alb out
opposite Walace's house on the turnpike and
distant about 20 chaInsfrom it; thence falling for
nearly mile at an average grade of about de.
grees, it strikes the turnpike at Brooksville, in
front of CANDLES tavern.
1t is to be regretted, that the steepness Of the
inclinations of the turnpike throughout it's entire
passage of the ridge, and their great rregularity,
render 1t Impossible to use any part Of it to any
advantage.
The difference5f distance between the new To-
cation and the turnpike from the point of diver
gence at the western base Of the mountain to that
OF conveyance on the eastern side, is a fraction
less than three-fourlhs of mile in favor of the
latter.
From Brooisville to within about 6a miles Of
Scoisville, 70 instrumental surveys Of new routes
were made put general inspection Of the topopra-
III
many PLACES 1t would be advisable 10 put the pro-
jected road upon entirely different ground from
that occsped by the turnpike; and even if it is
adheredto as closely possible, it will neveribe-
less behnavoidably necessary to make occasional
short departures from it, in order to surmount the
elevations which it overcomes by excessively
high grades. From Brooksville to near Bates
vlle,it is evident that new location can be made
to gteat advantage.
At Israel's mountain, too, it will be necessary
TO make some digressions from the turnpike, and
instead Of descending with ii to the fiat in front
OF Cars house, and then mounting the hill be-
yond, it will probably be better to leave The noun
lain at its summit, and pass TO the right, MAIN
flaming as much Of the elevation gained as will
carry the line to the top Of Cars hill.
The next place at which it will be necessary to
leave The turnpike, is at the first hill beyond its
intersection with the road from Lynchburg 10
Charlottesville; and it is probable that but little
Of it between this hill and Garland's store, en-
braciDg distance Of about 9 miles, can be pre-
served.
further dese:tion of it will be required at the
hill just beyond Coles mill, at Green mountain,
and Eubank's hill.
The last advisable deviation from it., occurs in
the vicinity of its intersection with the old road
TO Scottsvlle; and an instrumental examination
o! this region, satisfied me that new line from
this point to Scottsvile could be obtained, inter
mediate between the two roads, which will be
shorter than the turnpike, occupy higher and less