The North-Carolina standard., 1849-03-28
XSS&l

1HE EFFECTS OF RAILROADS UPON REAL FRO
PERTY: In estimating thesyalue of projected Kali
roads and Railroad stccks few persons look at the
inevitable changes produced in the condition and in
the value of property through which Road may pass.
The immediate and the eventual results In the SIM
pie value of property such fully to reimburse
State for the outlay in construction. Massachusetts
owes to its Western Railroad the great changes that
have taken place throughout the whole line of the
Road, and more especially at its terminus, Boston
This increase is not confined to the mere terminus
but to all towns and villages within the range of the
Road. The population of Massachusetts, so very
sluggish for many years, as regards increase has re-
ceved an impetus from the Railroads, which is more
than commensurate with the enhanced value of pro-
perty. Thus in some of the small towns In that
State, their returns show the following rapid
changes between 1910 and ls45, (only five years. In
their population:
Roxbury 81 per cent. Lowell SO per cent.
Brookline 81 Z" Worcester Sc 6
Cambridge 33 &c Springfield 33>"
Chelsea I29 &c Fall River SO 's
1t may be said that every farm, every through
which Railroad passes is enhanced in vaVae there
by at least one dollar per acre. The following re-
marks extremely pertinent to the subject, and are
worthy careful consideration. Similar remarks
might be written for own latitude, lMaryiand.)
If the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were finish
ed there is little question that the enhanced value of
property throughout the line, would be 'hree times
Me cost of tie Roud''-to say nothing of the increas
ed business that would be derived directly by our
Baltimore merchants In that event, the number of
average 1000 per day throughout the year, provided
the Company adopted the nfnmam rates of fare
Baltimore itself would derive much larger revenue
from the Road than tie Railroad Company itself
Baltimore .4nlericGn.
In connection with the above the american quotes
the following extract from letter written by the
President Of the Nashville and Chattanooga Road,
showing the effect that the contemplated construe-
ton of this road has produced in Tennessee.
s'There was the time of making up the subscrip-
ton to the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, much
said and conflicting opinions expressed, with regard
its effect upon the value of real estate, growing
out of expected enhanced value of the products OF
the SOIL and increased business in the towns; in
sequence of which have taken some pains to make
up something like an average of the present rise
above the value two years ago, and find it varies in
the country from dollar per in the mountains
to as high fifty nearest NaShviile and that the
lots joining the city have risen fully three hundred
dollars acre, and many of them more than that,
and the lands out from three to ninety miles from
Nashville have generally risen and actual sales made
at advances varying from five to fifteen dollars an
acre. And the valley lands beyond this point In the
have risen from three to ten dollars per
acre, near the road line. have then determined that
a fair and very low average rise the lands ten
miles each side of the railroad would be five dollars
an already, which is gain to the land holders
of Tennessee, and the line of road, of So, 700
per mile of road, 50, ,729,O0 on tie whole one
hundred and fifty miles, equal to three times the
cost of the road, which will not be much as $2,
DOG, ,000, fully equipped and under way.
The rise in town property has been in as great a
making least 81 300 OOO which, added
to the 50, ,72S 600, would make 81 ,02S, 900. This
nay look large to those that have not had their aen
ion called to this subject, but it is nevertheless.
But even if it only half, or fourth, it
would be equal to the whole cost of the road Thus,
when it is recoected that all the money subscribed
n Tennessee is laid out again in ibe State, and cir
,uated and kept at home, the cost of the road and
much more is already gain to the country
". \. Railroad Journal