Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-01-05
Wood County It's Past, Present and
Future,

EubuI6,
The year 1871, which. IS now numbered with
the past, has been one of the mpst prosperous
years realized Hy the farmers and citizens gen
erally, of W ood county. The reports we have
received from most of the business centers Of
the county, indicate decided advance in the
amount of bus mess done by the merchants and
mechanics, combined with a steady approach to
the "Ready Pay" system, thus benstitting the
trader and customer.
The season, on the whole, has proved highly
propitous to the farmer. The crop of our staple
product, corn, surpasses that Of sny pre- evious
year, while the crop of wheat. oats potatoes, hay,
&C., show fair average. The results Of this
and the fNrmer favorable season, are relieving
farmers from debt and by an increase of wealth
furnishes means for .aT increased development
Of he rich productive resources Of the soil.
The influence of this productive wealth has
been clearly IN luifestIin the purchase ofconsd-
cradle bodies os land at advanced PRICES by
farmers living in. proximity to the lands sold tile
means thus invested hsving been acquired from
th, products of their labor.
Without enumera.ing the many isolated pieces
fland in the county which have changed hands
at advanced prices we give the results OSthe sale
oftbe WADswoRrH estate in proof Of he accu-
rscy of our statement. The lands belonging to
|. are chiefly located in Liberty nnd Webster
townships, aud comprise an aggregate area Of
Messrs. +. & b. X. HoLLESBEcK, ngaurs rur
lhe proprietors, we're instructed to sell the whole
ot the property at auction or at private sale to
the highest bidder.
In accordance with their ius true tiors the land
was duly offered for sale, and over $500 acres
In Liberty township were purchased by citizens
living in that locality, at an average price of
over 1873 per acre. The balance, located in
Webster township, was sold to some three par
ties at an advance of 25 per cent over the prices
ct which they had been offered but short time
previous. This transaction, is no doubt, one OF
the most successful if not the largest operation
IN real estate that has ever been accomplished
In Wool county by one firm. and when the pri-
ces realized by tue sale are compared with those
81 which these lands were off.Ied some twelve
months since, there is exhibited clear and
manifest sdvance IN the value Of real estate in
this county, of from 2Oato 40 per cent over the
values Of 1870.
may be asked from whence does this in
crease Of value in real estate originate? May
there not hereafter be a corresponding depres-
aion in its value? In reply we would most
smphatcally say, that there eau never be any
serious diminution Of prices at which lands are
now held in Wood county, for these reasons.
First-The productive qualities of the sell
of Wood county are in the main, equal to the
very best in the Western States, needing only
drainage ulieh Is noW being thoroughly accom-
piished, to place 1t on an equality with the
very best lands in Ihe nation. 1t is an estab'
lished fact that the lands are intriDscally Valu-
able.
Second-Their average value is now much
lower than that of similar lands farther West
ani which are not as favorLbly located with the
great produce markets Of the nation.
Thiri-The railroad facilities which are be-
ing rapidly developed in Wood comfy, thus
furnishing itizsns with ready access to market
al every point, must of necessity hereafter ex-
srt powerful influence in increasing the value
Of real estate in every part of the county. Ln
confirmation OF this opinion let US for mImen'
consider the location and extent OF such roads
whose operation are fixed fact, or are placed
beyond the shadow OF doubt.
There is the Dayton & Michigan railway
which runs through the Northern tier of town
Ehirs for distance of some IS miles and has
already given an amazing increase to the lands
in proximity to it, ranging from 800 to 1000
per cent.
The Lake Shore, railway. running some seven
miles through the Eastern township.
The Toledo 4 Woodville road running ter
miles through the Eastern townships.
The Atlantic & Lake Erie railroad thirtytw
mTles through the Eastern townships.
Tie Mansfield & Codwater, running through
the central portion OF the county in North
westerly irection some twenty-seven miles.
The aggregate extcut of these railways il
wsod county, is One Hundred and Eleven miles
and all will be in active operation, probably, b!
the middle of next summer. These roads al
actualitiss, not probabilities.
Ifto these we add the very probable construc
tion Of an air line road from Columbus to Toc
do which is being actively agitated by Senate
GAGS, and other Findlay capitalists, and tn
oonsGruction through this county of the st. Loui
a Toledo Air Lime railroad, we have a vista q
prnSacrity opened to our citizens such as ma.
lie realized but by few other localities, in this o
any other state.
Wall such views Of our material re7ourses an
local advantages, in our opinion, Wood Count!
will entinne to Offer ths highest inducements lo
the investment of capital in lsGds, in business
anil 10 manufactures.