Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-27
Extension Of the City Limits.

me very ueclueQ increase Oh our pOpu-
lation within the past two years, as
shown by comparing the official census
returns with the census of the city re-
Gently made by the agent of Sholes' City
Directory-showing a gain of over z per
cent of population within the two years
mentioned-is evidence of our rapid
growth, and proof that in another decade
Savannah will be materially increased,
both in size and in the number of her
inhabitants. This, of course, will neces-
state the early extension of the city's
limits, and the consequent laying out Of
new streets and public thoroughfares.
Savannah has only three points of the
compass in which she can extend-south,
east and west-being barred on the north
by the Savannah river. In the report OF
His Honor the Mayor for the year end
ing in December last, it was recommend
ed that improvements on the north side
of the city be made in accordance with
an ordinance adopted in the City Coun-
Gil in June last, providing for the open
ing and widening of Joachim street from
Lumber street to the Ogeechee cana, and
extending the street westward to the in.
tersection of an unnamed street connect
ing direct with the wharves of the Ocean
Steamship Company. This improve
ment, if made, would be really an ex
tension of Bay street in straight line to
the western limits of the city. 1t would
be work of considerable cost, as a por
ton of the proposed extended street is
now occupied by buildings which would
have to be removed and paid for This
is the only extension contemplated on
the north side of the city.
1t is contemplated, however, to ask
authority of the next Legislature to
materially extend our corporate limits
in the south, east and west, as
follows: On the south it is proposed
TO start at the point where the
Savannah, Florida and Western Rail.
way crosses the White Bluff road about
three-quarters of mile from the present
limits of the city, at Anderson street,.
and from thence run line due east and
west, parallel with the present streets of
the city. The westerly portion of this line
will extend to the western limits Of the
Springfield plantation, and the easterly
portion to extend to what is known as
Jones' canal. This will be the southerly
line of the proposed corporate limits as
extended. The westerly line will be
straight line running along the
westerly limits of the Springfield planta.
ton to the wharves of the Ocean Steam
ship Company, while the easterly limit
will be due north and south line run
ming along the aforementioned Jones
canal, from where it empties in the river,
to an intersection with the eastern ter
minus of the proposed south rly line
above described. This it will be seen
will make of the city one vast
square, bounded on the north by
the Savannah river, on the east by
Jones canal, on the south by the line in
tersected by the canal extended to the
western limits of the Springfield planta-
ton, and west by the said westerly limit
of that plantation to the wharves of the
steamship company. A glance at the
map will show what very large add
ton this will make to our present city
area
The extension proposed will, sooner or
later-and in very few years, if we
may Judge of the near future from the
recent past-be a necessity, and it is not
a moment too soon to move In the matter
now. When the Legislature assemblies
during the coming fall the application
fer the extension must be made, and a
survey of the proposed new limits should
be at once ordered for two very impor-
tant reasons-frst, that an accurate
map OF the proposed new territory
can be made out for the inspec-
ton of the Legislature, and, second,
so that parties owning property
in the extended area may understand
exactly where the new streets and lanes
will run, so that they may know the
location of building lots and where to
build so as not to Obstruct such proposed
streets This will be to the advantage
of both property owners and the city, for
the former, after settling upon a resi-
dence, would not like to be forced to re-
move it, while it will, of course, be more
expensive to the latter to have to pay for
buildings already erected, but which will
have, from. necessity, to be taken down,
so as to admit of the free passage of a
public street. We learn that it is the
desire of the Mayor and the city authOri-
ties that this survey shall be speedily
made, so that the boundary lines. as well
as the streets and lanes in the contem-
plated addition to the city limits, may
BE clearly defined and well understood,
and as the making a thorough survey
and map will necessarily consume much
time, it is to be hoped it may be pro-
ceeded with without delay.
The North is getting alarmed at the