Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-13
THE BROAD STREET ExTEN-
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Further suggestions Concerning
. - nv 81 the. Work. N...

Further Suggestions Concerning
a. ~ u0y 81 the Work. NFis.
We have several timesreferred az lenoth
to the proposed enterprise of extending
and widening Broad street, from its pres.
eut western terminus out TO the HARDING
Pike, giving us magnificent avenue and
drive to the Fair Grounds. In fact. the
first articles written in this behalf. and
setting forth the advantages, appeared in
these columns. Since the first agitation
of the measure, it has not only assumed
tangible shape, but much has been done
looking to the early completion of the
work. Our people readily comprehend tba
benefits to be derived from the proposed
thoroughfare, and seize upon the oppor-
tunity of embracing them with ayidity. Its
benefits are of that character that accrue
to all 1t is, in its general sense, pub
lc Improvement, offering a grand and
beautiful highway, drive and outlet from
the city. 1t will secure to the use of the
city, and to those who wish to avail them
selves of it, large, capacious and beau
tifal park at the Fair grounds, and tend
wonderfully to the Identifying of our
Western suburbs. The county is deeply
interested in the project as a revenue
measure, for it would bring idle property
into value, with a proportionate increase
of revenue. elsa1l10i5f lgE EtH
The contract for the work having been
awarded to our enterprising townsmen,
Foster Nash, who have gone to work en-
ergetically, and at the time of this writing
have force of two hundred hands, and
are under contract to have the cars run
ming to the Fair grounds by the opening
of the fall fair. This we consider the most
important work yet projected in or around
the city. While the building of the ave-
nue. will give employment to great many
laborers, at fair wages, the identifying of
the same will give a reputation to the city
not enjoyed hitherto, at the same time af-
fording to the citizens a pleasant drive,
and safe, easy and pleasant outlet to
the lovely western suburbs of the
city, extending to the Fair Grounds, which
can be made as pleasant retreat for the
parched denizens of the city as the most
exacting could desire. To this end it is to
be hoped that the directors of the Fair
Ground will, at no distant day, see the
propriety and the necessity of the construc-
ton of large lake, with graded carriage
ways around the same, to be fringed with
rare plants and shrubbery and flowers, and
supplied with water from Cockrill's spring.
Then the Fair Grounds will be a success.
The beautiful avenue leading to them will
be success; and while it is true that the
owners of property Immediately on the
route of the avenue will be largely bene-
fitted by the enterprise, yet its beneficial
influences will be felt upon the entire city,
as well as upon the cities north of us, for
we hold the idea that if we expect the city
to claim place in the affections of
strangers we must make it inviting, and
that the idea of eternally pressing an invi-
tation upon gentlemen of culture and
means to settle among us, or even visit Us
in their h,se after pleasure, is sheer nom
sense, until you can show them some place
where they themselves, their wives and
children will be surrounded by the pleas
ures arising from the cultivated and the
beautiful in art as well as in nature And
it is source of profound pleasure to know
that our city is waking up to this important
fact. The day is not far distant when any
citizen of the City of Rocks can point with
pleasure to the Miniature Park covering
the Capitol grounds, beautified, es it will
be, by the peculiar attractions of Tennes-
see, contributed as they are by forest,
fields and mines, furnishing at o1ce a spot
where the overworked brain and muscle
can repair for recreation; where the youth
and the aged can exchange the common
courtesies of life; where the little ones eau
enjoy their innocent glee; and where the
tale of love can be softly whispered in the
softer moonlight. This is OF more advRn-
tage to the city than five story blocks and
no one to occupy them, with ten
feet solid glass windows, with no one
to read their gilded lettering except
those who have learned them By
heart long ago. But this is also a
work of the State. The city is stretching
every nerve to beautify and adorn the mu-
nificent gift of Samuel Watkins, and in a
short time we shall be able to class it
among the parks of the city. This we be-
lieve is strictly work of the City Fathers.
But we predict that West End Avenue is
destined to eclipse them all in contest for
public favor, and by which the masses Of
the city, by families or as individuals, can
reach the beautiful Fair Grounds
"when-In a sweet little nook
By the babblIng brook"
they can spend day in the enjoyment of
the purest gifts which earth can bestow
upon her children.
When this improvement is completed,
the street cars will afford transit to the
poor as well as the rich, and a delightful
park will be thrown open to the masses.
There the working man, the mechanic and
the employe can go and take his family
and have pleasure and enjoyments of coun-
try air, pure water and cooling breezss.
1t is an Improvement which the wife and
children of the hard working mechanic or
laborer can enjoy as much as the man Of
wealth and his family. Hence we hail its
prospective completion with unteigned
pleasure.