Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-08-25
The Hampshire Ice Mountain.

Our readers, we presume, are all aware of the ex
istence of mountain in Hampshire county, Va on
which Snow and ice are to be found on, or q few
inches below the surface at all seasons OF the year
1t is becoming place Of great resort IN the summer
season and surely must be q very agreeable place
during the present almost unexampled hot weather
correspondent of the Virginia Free Press, who has
lately visited the Ice Mountain, speaks of it fol-
lows
THE Ice Mountain is situated upon the East bank
of the Moth River Its oblique distance from the
base to the peak is 825 feet. 1t is covered with
loose colby sand stone, moss, and variety of small
trees; the stone can easily be removed, being SO
loose and small | asked Mr.. George beavers, the
present proprietor of the mountain, if [ could find
any ice, and he Immediately walked with me to one
Of the many holes made my throwing out the stone,
and after removing the accumulated leaves and rub
bish, showed me ice Jumps, piece OF which he
broke off, and ate He then took me to his ice pen,
(some four or five logs in height, being laid upon
the ground and the ice and snow covered with straw,
and gave me plenty Of ice and snow. So | had a
SNOWFALL the 9Th of July! From the snow and ice
we repaired to the milk house, constructed of logs
ami chnked with stone AS soon as MIR. beavers
opened the door, | experienced chilly draught OF
air. so much so, that concluded to satisfy my curl.
osity by SEEING instead of walking therein A fly
put in there survives but short time. Snakes are
seldom, (if ever) seen this mountain, and not a
fly was to be the day ] was there, it being by
far too cold climate for It's tiny texture. From the
dairy we went TO the spring. and if ever sIaked my
thirst with tumber of purcst ice water, did it
from this gurgling spring, issuing from mountain
Of ice. Mr. beavers had forgotten the temperature
Of the spring, but said that of the dairy was TOO de-
grees colder.
The ice extends some 60 rods along the base and
four or five in height, forming the shape OF half
moon in the mountain. AS you walk any por-
ton of this icy region, you readily discern the
codness to your feet, and by placing your hand in
any of the crevces, you would surmise the member
was in the frozen regions Of Greenland-showng
that the snow and rain have CONCEALED and remain
embedded among this immense quantity of stone
which acts more powerfully than the best construct
cd refrigerator.
A small frame building 90 feet by IA, is erected
which, in addition to the small enclosure In front
both having seats-afods ample room for the accom-
mediation Of a large crowd.
Mr. beavers Informed that the mountain, 1T
addition to some $50 acres of level and fertile land
upon the west bank of the North River, he thought
could be purchased for twenty dollars per acre.
verify believe if some enterprsing capitalists
would purchase and construct suitable accommOda
tions this ice mountain would in short time become
noted place of resort The porosiy of its formation
the GOODNESS Of the atmosphere in the warmest days
the heahneSs of its sparkling ice spring, the tota
absence Of all vermin and insects combine to rende
this Il safe and pleasurable retreat from the suns
bcamng rays for nVaIlds and those DESTROYS of being
calmly sequestcred from the perplexily Of business
and the turmOiIs of life"