The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-13
A Descriptive Letter About Urbana +,
Ohio-What n Wheeling Boy Thinks
OF the Place.
Editors Of the Register.
URBANA, CHAMPAIGN Co., ONO
January 10th, 1876.

OhBANA, SHAhfAlGN w. OhlO
January 10th, 1876.
To produce something of interest out of
u small amount of material is difficult
task. Descriptions Of cities and especial
ly small ones are dragging to the maj
ity of readers, unless they are In some
way connected or acquainted with the
place described. And it must be
confessed that Urbana is the last place
to2 seek for something rare or excit.
ing, but as a sample OF an ordinary, quiet
little village that boasts of city charter,
it is rs good as can be found.
Starting from the depot (the place
where naturally new conner begins his
observations) and proceeding up one of
the principal streets, noticing several fine
residences on the way, we come to Monu'
ment Square, so called from d handsome
monument in the middle of it, which is
surmounted by the bronze figure of
soldier bearing on his gun as though IN
mournful meditation; the monument
was erected by the city to the
memory of the soldiers who persisted in
the late war. The Square" is the CEN
tire of the city, and around it and on the
four streets leading from it, are all the
principal business houses. Everything
in the place centres towards the square.
1t is the hub and pride OF Urbana.
Generally, the place reminds one of
Eastern towns of its size; most of the
dwellings are frame, painted a light
color, presenting neat and clean APP
pearance.
There are about five thousand inhabi
tants. The people are plain, but hearty
and sociable, making stranger feel AT
his ease immediately.
Geographically, it is the county seat
of Champaign county, one of the richest
farming counties in the State. 1t is
near Mad river, an anything but mad
looking stream of about the
size of Wheeling creek. The
land around the city and in fact through
out the whole country, is level, and one
of the best for agricultural purposes in
the old Buckeye Commonwealth.
Financially it is comparatively free
from debt The shipping facilities are
all that can be desired, there being
three different railroads that
touch here, namely, the Columbus and
! Indianapolis branch of the Pittsburgh,
Cincinnati and st. Louis, the Atlantic and
Great Western Ia branch of the Erie),
and the Cincinnati, Sandusky and Cleve
land road, atiordlng easy and rapid COM
munication north, south, east and west.
The city, as shipping point, OBJ aims
great deal of her business from handling
the products of the land. There are but
few manufactures, because of the scarcity
of fuel. The greater part of the coal Is
brought from the Hooking Valley, and
costs about sixteen cents per bushci. a
large part of the fuel is wood, which costs
from 81 80 to So 90 per cord,
There has recently been erected fine
high school, costing in the neighborhood
of $4,000 Besides this there are two
other public schools and the Urbana
University, Swedenborgian institution.
1t one wants to live in a quiet old
fashioned way, Urbans is the spot to do
it to perfection. There is always enough
gong on TO keep away the blues and still
not drive one insane with excitement.
Yours, &c, r. n. L.