Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-16
The Virginia Springs.

1t is indeed strange that Virginia, with her
picturesque scenery, natural wonders, and niue
raj springs, SURPRISING, it Is said. any equal
area in Europe or the United States, rcmalns
in great measure neglected by the invalid
aud tourist. 1t is true these sublime eXhlbl
tons of nature aud these healing waters are
known by the people of the South, but they
have not that patronage from abroad, or the
uotoricty Of hundreds Of resorts, which, when
found, possess little or no merit Niagara Falls
dwindc into iusigniGcance as place oil real
pleasure to the tourist, or health to the invalid,
when compared to some Of the Virginia springs
aud their attendant natural wonders. The
natural bridge in Rock bridge county, its arch
So feet higher than the Falls of Niagara; the
Peak Of Otter, in Bedford county, 5,3O7 feet
above the sea level Hawks Nest or Marslals
Pillow in Fayctte county, its depth TO The river
margin | 200 feet; the Natural Tunnel in Scott
county, passing $50 yards through the solid
rock; and many other places, nearly as wonder
tui, we find grouped together in the spring re-
gion in Virginia, all Of which can be seen i'll
travelling about 81 miles. Within this WONDER
Iul region are at least twenty celebrated springs,
and many others of lesser note. Nearly all
these arc sulphur, with various notifications.
Three are also thermal waters, with tempe
nature Iauglng FROM 60 to. los degrees; the
chaIybcatc, of every desirable combination; the
saline waters, belonging to the rare class, and
found 10 perfection at the Allegheny springs.
The effects of those waters are cathartc, dlu-
rctic, and tonic and for dyspepsia, scrofula,
iaundcc, aud iucipieut consumption, they arc
used with great success.
The attractions to this locality will at no dis
tant day dcvelope to large extent the mineral
resources. Already capitalists are taking hold
Of the development Of salt, plaster, Limestone,
marble, iron, lead, copper, zinc, baryta, gold,
and coal; but in comparison to the immense
quantity of all these elements of wealth, little
has been accomplished. Virginia stands to-
day upon the threshold Of a mighty movement.
The attention of the whole county is being
powerfully drawn towards the State, 10 the 10
terest of its great industrial resources, and OF
an extensive system of internal improvements
The importance of constructing Immediately
some of the various proposed canals is conced-
ed by every right thinking MUD. When this
is done the West and South will be linked to-
gethcr by vice more potent for the develop
ment of Firginias great mineral wealth than
those ties that now bind the two sections to-
gcther with iron rails.
But to the springs. The two great points Of
departure from the main liue of railroad are
Staunton and Lynchburg. From these places,
by stage, all the springs or other places Of in
,erest can be reached. Passing Lynchburg by
the Virginia T. Tennessee Railroad, the first
station of importance is Liberty. From this
place facilities are obtained Tor reaching the
Peaks OF Otter, the Natural Bridge, aud
number Of springs; still further on by rail to
Salem many o.hcr springs can be reached. By
land from Lynchburg to the Natural Bridge is
&c miles. From Stanton the tourist will find
that region most thickIy crowded with springs.
FROM Lynchburg we reach fewer springs, but
more natural objects Of interest. But all these
places are connected by stage, SO that the
of the springs of that neig hborhood, can change
his location at pleasure, and take in all the
springs on the route if he plcases, and finally
reach White Sulphur, by jouruoying by stage
e. miles ~ I. South