The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-03-27
oRAr GE AND ITS ArrRAcr1oNs.-xo 4.


Long, long may she remain Our GAL
DRAM GE AND ITS AfTRACTI0Ns.-E0 4.
In the extreme Southern corner of
the county, at the intersection of the
| o. & A. X. Road with the Va. Central,
is situated the village OF GordOnsville.
r. Road to this point, it was an unin-
viting hamlet and the ground now occu-
pied by the town proper, was covered
by a dense forest. Within few years
past its growth has been marvellous
Buildings spring up as If by magic
town lots are in demand at advanced
prices, and fit is fast assuming in ap-
pearance the proportions Of Il respecta-
BILE inland town. In addition to its Pc
culiar attractions, so much appreciated
by hungry travellers. the enterprise of
its citizens is worthy of commendation.
Besides the various capacious buildings
OF the Il. Road Companies, it contains
several Churches, two fiourishing
schools, male and female, Hotels, an
extensive Machine and Implement Fac
tory, a Tannery, Il Steam Engine with
Saw, Grist, Plaster and Bone Mill at
tached;-all doinga large and remllncr-
ative business. The number ofmercan-
tile houses, large and small, would seem
out of proportion to the population of
the place and the requirements Of the
surrounding country. But the existing
novel relations of society have pro-
duced corresponding changes in the
course of trade. The heavy transac-
tons of the past between preprietors
and city merchants, i'm the purchase OF
supplies for their dependents, Is now
substituted by direct trade between
the dependents themselves and village
or country whether advan-
tageously to some of the parties or not
may be questioned. The trade in grain
from this and the adjacent counties is
rapidly Increasing and giving impor-
tancc to the place in commercial point
OF view.
Within short distance is the dwell
ling now owned by Mr.. Baker, former
ly the residence of the celebrated blind
Preacher, James Waddell, and still
nearer and almost in sight, the grove in
which stood the unpretending country
Church SO graphically and cloquently
described by Mr.. Writ in the British
Spy. This simple structure made clas-
sic by its associations, has been rudely
If not sacriligiously torn down, and its
hallowcd remains now constitute the
frame work of Il secular building in the
town.
The lands in this vicinity vary in
quality and complexion--the transi-
tion from grey to red is sudden. The
McAdam road leading to somerset very
soon strikes the red land, and in this
direction the handsome estate of Robert
Taylor Esq, Greenwood, first attracts
the notice of the traveller. The spa
Opus mansion located i'm the outer SUI
hnrbs of the town on gentle elevation
and its pleasing surroundings denote
the genial hospitality that reigns with
in. phe whole or part of this desira-
BILE estate can be purchased OIL rcasona-
BILE terms.
On the opposite side of the graceful
mountain slope and adjoining Green
wood, is Rockland, the beautiful sum-
mer residence of Il. b. Haxall Esq, of
Richmond. This fine estate embraces
about 1000 acres of superior land in the
centre of the red land district, and In
imnroyement and high culture ranks
with the foremost in Piedmont Va. Its
appointments are eomplete-its embel-
lisbments tasteful and its fine thoroug-
bred and trotting stock-its short horns
and Cotswolds attest its productive
qualities. A most valuable and desira-
bic portion of this estate cap be pur-
chased.
Farther on and in part partaking ol
the chocolate district about Somerset
is Frescati, :he residence of the late dis
tinguished jurist and statesman, p. p.
Barbour. This valuable property Sc
happily located, now belongs to minors
in q remote part of the State, ana is, as
usual in such cases, falling into decay
J notwithstanding itsnatnral fertility ant
capability of high Improvement. Neai
by and on either side of the road ant
! tributary to Gordonsville, are many
large and fine estates, combining every
desirable quality aud capable of divi
sion into smaller farms each .retainia,
equal advantages with the whole.
Returning to tine village and follow
ing the line of the o. & A. X. Road t.
Madison Run--a distance of five miles
J a soil entirely different from any hefor
described meets the eye. 1t is less fer
tile but possesses high merit. Beneat
it, lies a rich bed of limestone. readi
e accessible, and when prepared AID ap
! piled in proper quantities, it may b,