The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-29

SUBURBAN PRoGREss-PoRT MAYO, SrD-
SEf, AND UNION AND OREGON HILLs.-The
material prosperity of Richmond will be
readily observed in ramble through her
suburbs and the territory acquired by re-
cent act Of the Legislature. In Sidney,
Fulton. Port Mayo, and on Union and Ore
gon Hills, numerous new buildings and
other progressive signs indicate that the
spirit of improvement is abroad, while the
population is greatly increased every year.
Port Mayo, popularity known as "Rock-
etts Old Fields" is rather an old suburb,
having been laid out in squares and lots in
1872, when high anticipations of the future
greatness of Virginia's capital were so
prevalent among her citizens. Very little
building was done, however, until the year
1S47, when only nine houses had been
built. At this period there was a revival
of the progressive spirit, aud lots became
in greater demand, increasing in value un-
til the present time, when about fifty build
ings are standing, several good schools are
in existence, and beside two churches for
the white people, one has recently been
dedicated under the auspices of the Atri-
can Methodist Conference. Marion Hill,
time with Port Mayo. Building lots there
commanded very high price, and several
houses were built, but since that time lit
tie Improvement has been observed.
In 1852, Mount Erin and Fulton lands
were laid off and divided into lots and
squares. Many lots were bought by capt.
talists, who held them for investments and
speculation others, however, were pur-
chased by persons who designed erecting
permanent residences, and Immediately
commenced building. This stimulated
others to similar exertions, and now the
neat little village numbers some fifty or
sixty houses. They are generally cheap,
neat tenements, containing from three to
FIVE rooms, with porches and tidy yards in
front, presenting quiet and countrywide
appearance, and an air of peace and quiet
rarely visible in a suburban village. As
in the other suburbs, the residents are ge-
nerally mechanics, whose quiet evenings,
free from the noise and hustle Of the city,
are ample remuneration for their long
walks to and from their daily tasks. In
that portion of Mount Erin which lies on
the Williamsburg turnpike several very
large and handsome residences have been
built, and are occupied by prominent citi-
zens. A large part Of the village will be
included in the extension of the city limits.
Union and Church Hills were part of
tract known as Adams's division, and
we're laid out by the late Colonel Richard
Adams, and left by him to his devisees,
who from time to time sub-divided the
land and sold it off in smaller lots to per-
sons desiring to settle. The present popu-
lation is about 5000, having been doubled
in fifteen years. Shed Town, Maddux
Hill, and Strecker's Hill, were part of
the same plan, and the latter has particu-
larly improved during the past ten years.
Property in all this district had greatly in
creased in value up to the time of the
evacuation of Richmond, since which time
it has been little enhanced, although the
population has continued steadily to in
crease.
Sidney was laid out as part of the
city in 1917 by General J. B. Harvie, the
owner of the land, who sold one-third to
George Winston, third to Ben njamin j.
Harris, and retained the remainder for
himself. Few improvements were made
until lS42, when General Harvie sub-divi-
ded his portion into smaller lots, and other
landowners following the same plan, they
were sold at auction, and purchased by
merchants and enterprising mechanics,
who began Immediately to build good sub
stantial buildings for dwelling houses.
This suburb now contains the residences Of
some of our most prominent citizens, is
delightfully."- situated, and is, without doubt,
destined to be the most beautiful and fash
ionable part Of the city. Its population
has increased four-fold since 1912.
At about the time of the laying out
of Sidney, DR.. John B. and Lewis E..
Harvie, also part owners of that dis
trict and lands contiguous thereto,
laid out Belvidere and Oregon Hill, and
sold large number of lots. In 1916 there
was not house on Oregon Hill; now there
is quite hourishing village, with property
daily increasing in value, and its popula-
ton has increased ten-fold.
Graham's addition, extending from
Marshall street to Brook turnpike and
west of Muntord street, was laid off in
1910 or 1S4l by the late Herbert A. Clai-
borne, commissioner of the court of chan
cery for the sale of the late John Gra-
hams real estate. The land was divided
and subdivided into lots, sold at auction,
and many buildings erected. This suburb
now has population of about 1000. Ad-
Joining it is the Buchanan Spring property,
which was added in 1860, and is now being
slowly built up.
As all these suburbs have been recently
brought within the city limits, we would
respectfully suggest to our City Council
the propriety of taking immediate steps
to mark off the streets, plant corner
stones, and as early as possible give the
grade of the streets. Persons will feel
much more inclined to build and settle in
the tract as thus urbanized than to squat
in uninviting old fields.
THIRTY FIVE MILES AROUND RICHMOND.
Almost every foot of ground embraced in