Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-08-23
OUR TOWN.

OOn lONN.
1t must DO source of qualification moi ONLY TO
our towns'nen, but 10 every citizen Of the county
whose mind is free from prejudice, to witness the
progress OF improvement in Staunon within the
last HVe years. The benefits resulting from such
improvements are no more confined TO their mme-
date locality than The blessings of an abundun, b,r.
vest are confined 10 the precincts of the farm which
yields II. Taking 1t fur granted, then, that most of
our readers feel some degree of interest in the
growth and prosperity Of the county-seat, we have
supposed II might not be unacceptable TO dedicate
paragraph or two TO the more prominent of these
improvements
And first of all, not only for its own intrinsic i'm
poriance as source of comfort, convenience and
safety, but as leading the way directly to many of
the other local Improvements, we would make hon
orable mention of the rater ,corIss the reservoir
and distribution by iron pipes This it is which
has carried the town out upon our hills and led 10
their establishment in such degree that if ma
uve-born citizen were first TO revisit us, after
an absence OF five or six years, he would hardly
recognize the old corporations especially in its ST.
burbs-approach it from what quarter lie might.
VI public buildings that have gone up within
mat 'lne' and others not precisely public and vet
not strictly private property, we may mention the
following: One very extensive and admirable bo
tel, the Virginia House, combining in its interior
arrangements all mos, of tho modern appliances
and convenences two female Seminaries. both
well adapted to their important uses both hand
some structures, and one especially architectural
ornament to the town, beautifully crowning one of
its hills; and two commodous parsonages, one Of
them entirely new and well built, and the other
building SO wholly remodelcd as TO appear quite
different and new edfce. The Branch Bank of
the Valley, too, in lis transition, in part from pr
vale TO public uses has undergone modification and
improvement
The approach from Charlottesville presenting at
all times one of the best views of S,aunton now
brings into the picture some three or four new and
elegant suburban villas along the avenue leading 10
the Deaf-mute and Blind Institution; among them
rare and finished specimen of rural cottage in the
Gothic style
Inc traveller entering along the McAdamized
turnpike from Winchester or the jennings Gap
and Churchvllle free Turnpike, has his attention
arrested by new and stately private mansion after
the Greclan order, surrounded by grounds which
the proprietor has tastefuy laid out and embesh
cd with variety of shade-irces and shrubbery only
wanting lime TO lmpart their peculiar beauties 10
the scene This quarter, too, has been accommo-
dated with new tavern which we should have
named along with the other public edfices 1t is
the Valley Hotel, commodious house and as we
understand well kept by Mrs. Cooper. Add to
those already mentioned that old established and
excellent house, McCIung's, and the travelling
public must have grown flsdious indeed if it can
not find itself well accommodated and its every
taste gratfed in these our houses Of and
Tepose.
We might easily add TO the list by naming some
four or five other brick buildings Of the first order
OF workmanship now going up in different parts of
the town. Nor have we pretended TO enumerate
the various storc-houses all of brick, that have
been erected within the period we are reviewing.
These for the most part have been at once substan-
tia and tasteful
Not the least important of the public improye-
menIs has been the establishing and opening ont Of
the new road Gin compliment to s understandable
and go ahead superintendent we will call it the
hvnpikc) leading 10 Middlcbrook. This road O.
pens one OF the most pleasant approaches 10 the
town, winding as it does along the base Of the hills
that skirt the valley in that direction. 1t will also
bring into view and render accessible MANY elioibIe
sites for building.
Our article would be quite incomplete if we were
10 omit all mention Of the new county Jail. 1t is
now nearly finished and ready for its stern and mel
ancholy uses. Looking at the huge massive blocks
of solid limestone which compose the prison walls.
and the manner in which they are hewn and put
together, escape would seem next to impossible.
But we must stay our hand for the present. lest
some of our good neighboTs Of adjoining counties
might charge us with induIging a boas,ful sprit
At some future day may pay our respects 10 the
enterprise which our municipal authorities, in obe
1ience TO the wishes Of their constituents. arc now
carrying into rapid and we hope successful execu /
ton we mean the establishment Of new and in.