Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-03-24
WHEELING HILL.

Nuhout desiring 10 discuss any ol the
phases, the propristies or improprietiss
OF the park question, which has lately
been recsising some attention, We may
venture the prediction that at soms iu-
tars tune the subject Of improving
wheeling Hillp win loom up 10 the
dignity Of a boom.
This is natural because it is the city 5
property; a very unsightly property
too, in its present condition; yet very
useful and even necessary property in
any scheme for Identifying or render
ing the city attraetiye; a property that
is susceptible OF being improved 50 as
to produce a striking aud picturesque
effect as background to the city, and
capable, too, of being transformed into
one OF the most attractive resorts that
any city can boast.
We believe, too, that it would have a
salutary influence upon the population
OF the city il there were even single
spot toward which the eye OF the citizen
could turn to feast his sense Of the
beautiful. The esthetic taste OF our
people is almost starved to death loT
want vi such privilege. They have
looked upon black walls and smoky
furnaces ~ long that the appetite for the
lovely landscape and the green sward
has almost died out.
Ii We had more OF the picturesque
brought into near contrast with our sur
roundings, the result would be general
improvement OF the city. Ii would re-
suit in better streets, in better class oil
houses, in a better style OF architecture,
in more artistic display in every dlrcc'
ton, for the educating influence would
seek aud demand avenues for exercise.
Ii instead OF looking upon the bleak
aud barren hill which now Looms ny
above the city, we could see 1t covered
with shapely trees and evergrcens,
with green terraces tracing It's iuiI
length, and pleasant walks, whore the
romantic could ramblc and talk OF love
and flowers, or where the labOrcr could
sit at the close OF the day and quah the
cool, refreshing breeze waited from the
waters OF the Ohio, and where the sing
ing birds could nestle among the shrub
berry aud Chirp their cheerful courIesirs
To the tired dcnizen amid city walls and
make him dream OF country lite and rest
aud recreation, or where the poor,
parched inmates Of brick walls could
escape the summer heat and breathe
new life and yigor FROM the nevcr-lall'
ing breeze that blrsScs that locality
It Wheeling Hill were thus
transmitted from u barren desert
to paradise, so to speak, 1t would be
not only boon to every lnhabItant,
but materially enhance the value OF
every piece ol property within the city
limits.
Ii is true there is Il chance 10 spend
u good pile OF money IN the undcrlak-
ing, but there is no necessity ior 1t,
Only stupidity, acknowledgement or dts
honesty would ncccssitatc large cX-
peuditure in making Wheeling Hill at
tractiye. Ii would not he formidable
Undertaking 10 throw 1t intoterraccs. The
cutting Of roadway makes a terrace
and there is no cartlng or filling needed.
Give the force ut the city workhouse Il
chance to employ their leisure time on
this part ui the job and the terraces will
soon be- there without dollar OF eG-
pense.
When the terraces are made, a little
rich soil and grass seed will make them
green ami permanent. A row ct trees
along the edge OF each will make the
ruadways shady, the hill beautiful, and
the resort altogether delightful. Ii moth
Ing more is accomplished than that II
would still be- u grand acquisition to the
city.
But the business way to - about 1t,
the economical way, and the way to
avoid Jobs and Earring, is to employ an
expert to prepare plans for the whole
work, and then, by putting the work
house force under competent super
intendent who would work them up to-
the plans furnished him, tho whole hill
might bo cmbelllshed aud made Il mon
umcut to tho industry, taste aud skull oi
that much abused asylum known as the
city work house.