Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-09-30
The Laurel Hill Country.

If the Laurel Hill section of Augusta cannot
take rank in the number of its rich acres with
other districts more highly favored in thai
way, there are many features of its topogra-
ply, which render it none the less attractive
1t comes in direct association with three of the
principal streams in the county. Lewis's creek
is comparatively straight, whilst Middle river
and Christians creek make many singular
curves along the valleys which they drain
The highway from Staunton to the old town o
Port Republic passes through the Laurel Hill
section, and affords the traveller as many
charming views from the plateau lands ovel
which early settlers fixed its course, as are tt
be found anywhere in the same number o
miles.
Leaving St unton, soon the elevated ridges
between Christians and Lewiss creek are OBJ
served. but the eye is not prepared 'ur the en-
chanting realization Of the beautiful vista fal
down tlse course of the latter stream. The di
rect route pursued by it, through cultivated
fields it'll gently sloping sides Ia q c right
and left, above which strips of fafest seem tt
lengthen the parallel boundaries. foi ms a pic
ture of naiura loneliness, which The observer
is scarcely con tent to leave bTfind and bears
it imprinted Oh his memoir.
Before "Beliemont," the new and pretty
white church, with its dove coloreti trimmings
recently erected ty the United Brethren, is
reached, the distant scenery has engIossed the
attention completely. Tue wide eastern side
OF country from south OF Wayne sboro' TO the
Massanutton Mountain apparently of even
surface, with the Blue .sitge for the outer wall
wherein are many rich tal ms and much sub
stantial wealth, is surve5 Ell at a fiauce. To
the west The North Mountain. with all its
gaps ard in6entures, IOo4s.s pi in Ts4..ls sly
The view extends across the valley of f.e@is's
creek and over the rolling hills nSards high
land and Allegliany, where much of the
wealthy domain of proud Old Anguish is 10
Gated. The strangely flowing Middie river
confuses the eye when the cffurt Is made to
trace it. steep cliffs and narrow bottoms are
in strange contrast, when mo han half of its
length is towards its source, with the plains
and low enlbankments from Valley Mills to
Shemeriah
Passing on, thrifty farms, young orch ards
and work shops and churches mark the dis
tinct features of coed efforts ard success in
country ife. Before the peninsula point
formed b. the junction of Middle river and
Christians creek is reached and Immediately
at Laurel Hli church, the liver prn-i pies are
mountain-ike. HIRE TIE ftIe.t evsieIeens OF
pine, spruce and :anrel grow il 'hr pildest
profusion. On LIEF -nd at lila point Of the
peninsula is Inc residence Of Col. Kerr. The
house ives erected 1s7 ,ears ago The body is
of logs flattened and built up as layers with
dove-tailed corners. In it's first days, 1t an
swered the double purpose of a dwelling and a
fort, where neghbors would flock when Indian
incursiOns from the mountains threatened
this section. The grandfather of Col. Kerr
came frem Pennsylvania and settled the place.
He had an establishment for making edged
tools, nails, and shaping iron, to meet the
wants Of the early settlers, propelled by water
power. The nails and iron fixtures necessary
in building the Augusta church were made at
his shops.