National Republican., 1883-03-23
VIRGINIA BEACH.
Tho New Southern Summer Resort-It'
Advantages as Healthy stopping Place

Advantages as n Healthy stopping Place.
SDecidl Letter.
NORFOLK, VA, Mar. 2l.-If there ever was
a place devised by nature for a safe and pleas
ant seaside resort, IL is the beach above men
toned, in close proximity to Cape Henry. 1t
is the longest and one of the finest beaches on
the whole Atlantic coast, extending for dis
tance Of ninety miles south Of the cape. The
water is warmer than on the Jersey or Long
Island coast, owing TO the neighborly good
feeling of the gulf stream; and as there is no
under tow, IL becomes at once q bathing place
that for safety and delight is not equalled in
the union.
The grand and mighty Atlantic ocean is in
full view; for, indeed, we arc at the feet OF
old King Neptune. The beach being hard,
drive along its pebbly surface is an enjoyable
luxury and as there is plenty of shade the
day Is not far off when the Virginia beach
will be as we'll known as any similar resort
in the north. Heretofore the western and
southern summer tourists have Travelled east
in search of health, but now that the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railway is finished to New
port News the tide of travel from the great
| west will turn toward the broad Atlantic on
the Virginia coast while those from the ex-
treme south will pause on their trip north
| aud visit the much needed and long looked
for southern bathing place-Virginia Beach.
! Straws show which way the wind blows :,
and there are none who catch the DRIFT OF
public sentiment quicker than the hotel
keeper of the north The break has been
made by Leland, of New York fame, buying
! the Hot Springs of Virginia, and others will
| follow until the truth about the beauties ana
health giving qualities Of the south will be-
come thoroughly known.
| Virginia Beach Is seventeen miles due east
| lf Mo- ill aud xNall hn ptn1
city by railway as straight as an air line.
The grading of tho road has progressed rap.
idly. Rails have already been laid down, and
a construction train is now running over the
finished part of the road. The gauge of the
railway will be the same as those leading to
| Coney Island-that is three feet.
| 1t is the intention of the company to lay OIL
a town something like English Brighton. A
permanent campmeeting ground is already
mapped out, and race course is in contem-
plation.
In the Office of the company learn that
applications are coming in constantly from
| Washington and Baltimore for lots to build
cottages on. Three saw mills and planning
machine arc in operation, and as timber IS
plentiful the cost of erecting buildings Will
be very moderate. The grounds i'll the rear
of the hotel will face Lynn Haven bay, IA
nous for its oysters; and as early vegetables,
fruits and game are in profusion the cost OF
living will not be great
II is estimated that 100000 people will be
carried over the road this season, but think
this is low estimate, for the twin cities OF
Norfolk and Portsmouth will supply that
number alone.
The new railroad will open up n fresh truck
ing section that has heretofore been backward
from lack of transportation. The lands IN
this section are proverbial for their early
crops, but how to get them to market has been
the question which is now decided by the
facilities given for rapid travelling and CHEAP
freights over the Virginia Beach railway. In
view of the bright future in store for the poo
pie living east of Norfolk, box and barrel
factory is in course of erection in the neigh
borhood for the purpose of supplying the
farmers with the means of shipping theil
products to an early market, and thus IT viii
be seen that a new way of prosperity IS loom
ing up for section of Virginia that has To-
many years been benighted. Is.