Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-01


<ttccts. <onsh of Arch strcct, md y
elevated tbout f50 fet abovc the river.
Il Il one Of The most prominent views
ii Gle city. overlooking the river, Falls
p3Antasion. Hollywood, Mapehcster,
Church Hill, and large portion Of the ]
city. Itwas in 4 very rough condition
when the work was undertaken by the
City Engineer. and wcuId not At present
he recognized By those who were
familiar with it before the improve
ments were made. The contour Of the
grounds has been entirely changed, and
what was rayines and eullies is now
beautiful terraced park.
RESERVOIR PARK.
These grounds were purchased by
the city. for the construction Of a new
reservoir and pump-house, between the
years 1874 and 1881. They are situ-
ased in the county Of Henrico, about
Two miles west Of the city, and contain
as whole about 203 acres of ground.
In tho year 1876 the northeastern
portion Of these grounds was laid off in
wide serpentinc drives, and q large
lake. irregular in outline, containing
about twelve acres, was formed. An
eighty-foot avenue, leading from the
reservoir to Main street, was made, and
along it three rows Of trees planted.
In the spring Of 1877 about 1900 adj
ditional trees were set out along the
drives, and clusters OF cyergrecns
planted at the corners Of the plots, and
the plots nicely shaped up and sowed
in grass. In 1881 fifty-foot road
way was started from what was known
as the Tabb road, extending westward
ly down and along the Haxall ravinc to
the pump-house. This road was con-
tinucd last year from the pump-house
eastwardly along the south slope Of the
hill to near the Crenshaw quarries,
thence curying to the left, connecting
with the Tabb road, making complete
circuit.
These grounds have about three
miles of roadways nicely graded and
gravclled. The northern section is pro-
yided with benches. In the year 1882
an avenue 104 feet wide, in direct
line with the eighty-foot avenue, was
laid out to the junction Of the Broad
street road, and nicely graded nearly
its entire length Of Ii miles. This
avenue, connecting as it does with the
Broad-strcet road, lis feet wide, makes
a continuous wide avenue leading to
the city about Al miles in length. The
grading and gravelling Of this avenue
will be completed this spring. When
the three rows of trees arc planted, and
the twelve-fect walks formed on the
sides, this will be the prettiest and
most fashionable drive Of the city.
CHIMBoRAZo PARK.
These grounds were purchased by
the city in the year 1877, and contain
about 80 acres. They are situated in
the eastern part of the city, immedi-
atcly east Of Thirty-socond street and
south of Broad street, and were during
the war the site of one of the largest
military hospitals in the Confederacy.
They were laid out into driving-park
in the spring and fall Of 1878, and work
commenced at once. The park has
winding drives, terraces, and paths,
and the plots on the hill are nicely
shaped. The plots are beautifully
sodded, trees are planted along all the
drives, roadways are nicely grayelled
and provided with good benches.
This hill is elevated about 100 feet
above the james, and affords beauti-
full view of the river and the surround
ing country east and south Of the city.
When the slopes and terraces are com
pleted, lakes formed, and fountains
erected, this will be one Of the prettiest
parks to be found anywhere.
TERRAcED ROADwAYs (TAYLoR's
HILL.
These grounds were purchased by the
city in the spring of the present year,
and are situated between Twenty-first
and Twenty-third streets and Grace and
Franklin streets. and contain about two
acres. Work was commenced several
months ago in forming roadways and
terraces. and considerable progress has
been made. Work will be continued
on this hill in the spring, and when the
roadways and terraces are fully formed
it will resemble Libby Hill IN appear
ance and will be one of the loveliest
parks in the city, as it is in command
ing position. overlooking the city west
wardly, and is elevated about AS feet
above the river. This hill-popularly
known as TaylOr's Hills famous
resort for visitors, aflording as it does
one of the prettiest views to be obtained
in the city.
Public buildings.
The Howitzers' 'Armory, located on
the City-Spring lot, fronts on Eighth
street, north of Leigh street. These
grounds were acquired in the year lS47. |
They have a front on Seventh and |
Eighth streets of 10 feet and depth |
from Seventh to Eighth street of 900 !
feet. No Improvement Of any conse-
quence was made there. except to wall |
in the spring and enclose the grounds,
till the construction Of the armory in
1874. This building is two stories in
height, fronting on Eighth street IS |
feet, and has depth of 40 feet. The
lower story is arranged for clubhouse
and the upper one for drill and-club !
room. At each end of the building a
pass-way is left TO give access to the |
spring grounds. In 1877 a heavy stone |
wall was built on the north side of the |
grounds as a guard wall, and the out
LET Of the spring removed to this wall,
and the grounds were filled in about ~ |
feet in height. This work was great |
Improvement not only to the armory |
building, but TO the grounds generally. |
This building has never been succeed |
as originally intended. When this is
done il viii be very neat, pretty build |
ing, well adapted TO its uses.
PUMP-HoUsE.
This building, at the old "Thrce-
Mile Locks, !" is constructed Of James,
river granite, is about 100 feet long
and so feet wide, and is two stories in