National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-05
RINCHEsTER, VIRGINIA.
ITS ADVANTAGES AS A SUMNER RESI-
DENCE PICTURESQUE SCENERY
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND SUR
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| DENCE -FICIUhESQUE SCENEh1 -
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND SUR
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/ Correspondence Of the National Republican,
WISCHEsTER, VA, August ., 1874.
As Wsshingtonians, in view of the exalta-
ton of the thermometer, the end Of the /" sea-
son, A." or other cause, each peculiar to the indi-
vidual, are now fleeing to the mountains or
marching to the sea, either in search Of quiet
and rest or gaiety and fashion, allow me to
commend to their attention the city of Win
chester as q summer residence. Here are the
bee. Of hotels, With countless clearinghouse.
The Taylor hotel, ut one time known far and
wide as one Of the best in the South, has
passed into the hands Of Samuel NJ. Mullin,
esq, the prince Of hotel men, with wide expe.
rience and acquaintance, who has been asso-
ciated with many Of the best Virginia hotels
and watering places. No effort is being spared
TO restore the ancient repute Of the Taylor in
every resrect-good fare, neatness and comfort
In lodging-rooms and parlors, and attentive
service. The house and furniture have been
renovated throughout, with baths In modern
style added, the hnest spring water throughout
the house, and every requirement Of . first
class establishment. . r.-.
For catering facilities no city In the Union Is
surpassed by Winchester. Mountain mutton,
butter from the famous limestone pastures Of
the Valley, and pure milk and cream, veEeta-
bles direct from the garden, and fruits nowhere
excelled In quality, abundance Of variety, pre-
sent an enticing local bill Of fare, while ail the
city and salt water delicacies are within few
hours command by express three times day.
The health OF Winchester and adjacent coun-
try 10 proyerbial. It IL all well drained, with
no stAgnant water whatever, and absolutely
vi n MI FNa1 No -
denic was ever known here. ksplendld spring.
itself worth the travellers while TO stop and
see, wells from the native rock on the edge Of
the city, and sends its crystal tribute TO every
dwelling.
On the social and educational advantages Of
the city 10 is hardly necessary 70 descant, 80
many IN all parts Of the Union being able TO
testify to them from personal knowledge. Fine
schools Of every denomination, besides the pub
lie schools, supply all needs to every class of
students. Each year witnesses an influx of pu-
pits from distant States. Parents come to be
near their children, and Q large accession to the
population, permanent and transient, has been
in this way derived since the war. The merits
Of the society Of the city are thus at once proved
ard enhanced. Thirteen churches, Of nearly as
many different confessions, are open regularly
to the Worshiper. The Christian Association
throws open to ell q well-selected library and
Well-furnished reading room in the heart Of the
city, nearly opposite the Taylor hotel. The
benevolent orders-Mason, Red Men, Odd Eel
lows, &c.-possess handsome halls, and keep
up thsir meetings and operations generally with
great spirit.
Billiard rooms, bowling alleys, &c., are at
the command of the visitors who desire them,
Fine livery stables, with new and neat turn |
outs and excellent horses, furnish the means of
the surrounding country. Eight |
macadamized turnPikes radlate to every point |
Of the compass, their limestone pavement, |
compacted and cemented by use, forming the |
finest possible track for vehicles 1t is safe to /
say that no town in the United States Is its SUI
perfor In this respect. Ladies drive themselves |
through the neighborhoOd in perfect comfort 1
and safety. Forty minutes drive over either of /
three turnpikes brings one to the banks of the
Apuquan, beautiful stream, much affected 1
BY the VOtaries Of picnics and angling.
THE HISTORIC AND PICTURESQUE.
Eight miles further lies the lively, romantic
Ind historic Shenandoah, with all It's associa-
ions with the most stirring events of a CEN
ury that begins with Washington and Fair
AK aud ends with Stonewall jackson. With
hese events Winchester itself is, It is neces-
AIRY TO say, closely linked. The border fort
ess against the Indians and the French, mark
ng the first footprint Of the Anglo-Saxon west
II the Blue Ridge; the headquarters Of Wash
ngton, the boy surveyor, the Virginia Colonel,
he commander-in-ehief of the forlorn hope OF
be colonies after the defeat of Braddock, the
ome of the rihemen who stormed Quebec and
ron Saratoga, the treasury of the spoils of
in the late civil war the strategic
oint Of both armies, seventy-six times lost or
ron, the scene Of four pitched battles, the
marks of which are vet borne by many of It's
Offices, It will always be an objective point to I
be tourist who likes to trace history in its
Angible records.
From the heights that form the western I
ounds Of the city the eye ranges over a vast
nd beautiful landscape. In front the plain,
lch with woods and fields, slopes gently to the
,estern base Of the Blue Ridge, fifteen miles
istsnt. For forty miles to the north and thir- !
southwest, the escHrpment Of the mountain
resents continuous line, fanked right and !
sit oy secondary elevations Of broken and pic
lresque outline. Turning and looking to the :
.esL, the spectators view is arrested at much l
norIer distance BY the outlines of the series of
arAIlei mountains that lead 10 the Allegheny. o
nArpS60urg, harper's Ferry, Falling Waters, '
~ Iont isoyAl, ssner's Hnl, KernstoWn, Snick-
her scenes Of bloody memorT are embraced 8
the panorama, while the ground upon which
stands Is scanned With deep Entertainments. 4
he-plts, and emptied but sim weIl-marIed
-aYes. Han mile distant at one and N the g
ain street, are still conspicuous The vail 49, 81
rived breastWorks Of old Fort Ioudoun .erartsd O.
I Washington in 1855. He was The Father NJ
inchesteF q score Of years before be added Ia
at the broader title off Of his Counirv. Ii
inchester, the focus Of bis frst military. con- A
fred upon him bis first civic honors. In f75s. a
rederick county, Of which Il was and Is the &
pital, elected him to the Virginia House Of X
afgessesi and her stored streets have Wit u