Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-05-18
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE o.
A Nd VIRGINIA ADVERTISE
For the GounfrvO
HARPER's FERRY AND THE SHENANDoA

HARPER S FERRY AND THE SHENANDOAH
VALLEY "Harper's Ferry has long been cele
brated for its rugged and picturesque scenery,
fol Its mild yet invigorating climate, for its
magnificent water power, and for its historica
associations The names of Lord Fairfax, oi
WasbinRton and Jefferson, are suceesslve]y as
sociated with and add romantic charm 10 its
early history. 1t was Washington who at the
close OF the last century go forcibly pointed out
the advantages, and suggested the situation ol
this beautiful spot, tor national armory where
the Government could at its own expense, and
under the supervision OF experienced officers,
manufacture such arms as were necessary tor
Cur army. He pointed out also the various
uses to which this vast water-power could be
put IN manufacturing its value to the people
oi the surrounding country, if properly develop.
ed the little trouble there would be in control
ling it; its freedom from ice in winter and flood
n summer--and allwith cearness of foresight
seemingly prophetic. In erecting the works
necessary to the development Of the great wa
ter-power. such as dams, locks, walls, canals,
aud foundation works, as we'll rs the work shops
and otber buildings, the Government spared
neither raius nor expense. The substantial
character of the works now standing, and which
escaped the ravages OF war, is such as can be
seen nowhere elsa in this couhtry.'
I'm addition to the natural beauty ot the
scenery, and the pure, bracing air OF its hills,
which seems to give new lite and strength to
all within its influence, there is good hunting
and fishing in the neghborhood, and rich and
fertile country just beyond-n the beautiful
valley OF the Shenandoah.
''The bridge of the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road spanning the Potomac river at this point,
from tho Virginia to the Maryland shore, was
destroyed and rebuilt nine times during the
war. A substantial tresse work bridge, OF
iron, standing on massive granite piers, unique
10 its construction, and forming beautiful
harmony With the surrounding scenery. now
stretches across the river, atfordlng ample ia
cilites for railroad trains, wagons, and FOOT
passengers. -,
Here, The Gear, blue waters ofthe s Shenan-,
doab, rushing down over deep, rocky bed
from the w est, mipgls with the torpid Poto-
mac, sweeping down in broad stream from
The north, These rivers form triangle, with
,he town of Harper's Ferry nesting low doWI
an is point, and steep winding roads leaditnf
to Bolivar Heights, just above Across tn
Potomac, to the East, are Maryland Heights
rockv and rugged, rising abruptly. to the he'll gh
ofGttaen hundred feet, and forming q sort 0
hose wall for the Chesapeake and Ohio canal
1nhich rims along between it and the 1lVer =
Iondoun Heights, on the Shenandoah, rlsln
in rocky pyramid. about eleven hundred 1eet
torn the southern base wall OF the triangle
tbrow;np deep shadows over the surface OF tn
river morning aud evening: These great I, nat
nral rock walls, separated by space ilttI
less than halt mile wide, form the gates 2
the rich and fertile valley OF the SHENANDOAH
extending for three hundred miles OF Wnat wa
once and will soon be again. the richest an
most productive portion of Virginia. In snof
the valley of the Shenandoah has long g! an
deservedly been known as the Garden OF WI
a;n;a msny OF the counties along the river b.
mo under quite as high state OF cultivate
90 counties in the west Of England, and IN vel
manv respects resembling them. The tne
mansions of the land owners, their out house
their broad acres, the freedom and iranSne
- their manners, their love for thorough~br
stock and out door sports, and their geoero
hospitality to strangers, all bear strong
semblance to what one meets with amo
English country gentlemen. Their manne
and style of living were also good inueS
what the country was capable OF producing
NORTH CAROLINA STRAIGHT DR1Nh;
Some wears sipce, when they were bulldIn t'
Iocks on Coal River, / was over thar at Peytor
and stopped in at Dr.. Kellum's who phySs1lI'
ed neople in that quarter ct that time. r. II
was famine just then, and great sunel
among men, women, and children, Tor want
oss.-;os of life. Leastwise, it was about