The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-03-16
The Middlebrook Turnpike.

Week before last We received an Interesting
and instructive communication on the subject
OF the proposed Middebrook turnpike. Ii
vas unavoldably omitted from that issue, and
'fterwards mislaid. We regret this, for ther,
were facts mentioned and arguments contained
III it which we should like to lay before oul
readers. The writer is one of the most INTEL
gent citizens of that intelligent section, and
lis communication presented a number OF
good reasons, in support of the improvement
which We have seen no where else, and heard
from no other source In the following artl-
lie we shall make use of such of his ideas a.
we can recall, and supplement them with sug-
yestions of our own.
Every section of the county is or will b.
supplied with railroads except the south west
ern portion. The Shenandoah Valley and
Valley railroads furnish means of Transports
tien for the products of the northern and
southern and the north eastern and south
eastern portions of Augusta. The Chesapeake
ind Ohio penetrates the county from east t.,
west The narrow guage, now under con-
struction, will tap the northwestern corner
and the proposed West Augusta road, foi
which charter is IN existence, will open up
communication to the northwestern border
and the country lying between that point and
stanton. Thus the county is net work OF
railroads, but one important section being de
MED participation in the advantages of easy
access to market. To fill up this gap, it is
,,ropoood 70 10 a.,
is easy, and with one or two immaterial ex-
captions which can readily be remedied, the
location is good. All that is needed is Il
thorough metaling OF the line to render it an
important avenue of commerce. The section
which would thus be accommodated Is one OF
the most productive in the Valley 1t is ex-
tensive in area, and famed for its prolific crops
and for the energy enterprise and intelligence
Of its people Staunton is the natural outlet
for its exports. A gradual and light grade
descends from the lower edge of Rockbridge
10 this city, and it remains with the business
men of Staunton and along the line to say
whether this heavy trade shall be conferred
here, or be allowed to find egress by means Of
short cuts to existing railways, and to roads in
Rockbridge county which will come close
enough to attract if there is not stronger
magnet in another direction.
So fal as the business interests of Stanton
are concerned, a good turnpike would prove
more advantageous than railroad The pro-
ducer, when he cars his crops, will seek the
best market. He is very apt to think that the
larger cities offer inducements to sellers which
Stanton cannot afford. As consequence he
will ship his products direct to Richmond or
Baltimore, and when he reaches his destina-
ton will ind in the majority of instances,
that he could have done just as well, if no,
better, here. 1t is then too late, however, to
rectity the error. and the result is that our
business men have lost that much trade.
We have been informed that number OF
the large farmers of lower Rockbridge have
stated that if this turnpike lie constructed, they
would market all of the grain and produce at
this point. The hauling could be done at those
seasons when farm operations are practically
suspended and teams are idle. They prefer to
deal directly with the merchant and meet him
face to face rather than cons gn their goods to
commission houses and carry on their trans
actions through the medium of the mails.
1t is time the business men Of Staunton were
looking this question of trade fairly in the
face, and making provision for the future. In
a year or two, railroads will have penetrated
the mountain Businesses of Highland and Pen
dleton, thus cutting off forever that prolific
source Of supply. The various lines we have
mentioned, threading the county in all direct
ions, will still further diminish the bulk of
trade ceptering here. 1t behooves US, there
fore, to fortify ourselves as much as we can
against the probabilities in store for us. Every
effort that can be made should be put forth.
not only to provide for possible deficiencies,
but to increase and enlarge the commercial
importance of the place. Just at this time we
have the opportunity Of taking forward step
in this matter, and laying deep and strong
section lip the foundation of the citys pros
perity. 1t is no exaggeration to say that one
Of Staunton's most prominent sources of sup
ply is the country stretching southwest into
The lower edge of Rockbridge. When at all
possible, the road through that section is al.
most constantly lined with vehicles bearing
he products of the farm to the Staunton
market. The soil is rich and productive, and
is owners are alive to all the improvements of
he times. As = consequence the crops are