Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-01-14

Importance is equal to food. That emil
nence must forever have an attraction for
the inhabitants of Stanton. There are
many other elevations, and some OF greater
altitude, but do not sustain the same reia-
tions to the city as does reservoir hill. One
(Sears's Hill) was selected by the officers
of the United States coast survey, as
point from which to take observations IN
the great scheme of transcontinental TIL
angulation that the Coast and Geodetic
survey is now conducting. From it were
thrown tho transit lines through space,
capturing, as it were, the loftiest peaks as
well as to note the elevations and depres-
sions of the rolling mountains in all dlrec-
tions. 1t is mere conjecture, but we have
supposed the scientific gentlemen IN charge
of the survey would have taken reservoir
hill in preference had it not been previously
occupied by the city. We have thought SO
because the entranced eye has wider range
from it than from Sears's Hill, where the
station is placed. But be that as it may,
for our purpose we prefer the unbroken
view, which is to be ATTAINED from that
beautiful elevation, and within the corpo-
rate boundaries Also, which in all the flu
ture with the growth, the adornment, and
the prosperity Of the young city, must for
ever have place. The Council has made
provision for planting shade trees and
shrubbery on it, and it will only be ques2-
ton of time when other ornamentation,
and winding avenues will make the ap-
proach and the drives and walks on reser-
voir hill worthy of the magnifcence OF its
views and the associations which cluster
around it. To this point, then, we would
have the reader accompany us.
| Looking to the Southwest, the water
shed of the sources Of the Shenandoah and
the tributaries to the James rivers, throws
it's oval hills across the Valley plateau be-
tween the Appalachian and Blue Ridge
ranges of mountains. Coursing along the
even lines of the North Mountain sub-di-
vision, the eye in its glance pauses awhile
to take in the Augusta sugar-loaf, but it is
restless till the glory Of ALL elliott
Knob, now known from the maps going
abroad all over the country as "Mount
Rogers is surveyed, proudly rising 4,46o
feet above sea level. Then farther on to
the north looms up Slate Spring elevation,
4 200, and in the centre of tho Valley is
the Peak, locally known as the "Peaked
Mountain, " which terminates the south
ern end of the Massanutten ridge, 1882
feet above tide-water.
Banked up against the lovely eastern
horizon are the towering formations along
the Blue Ridge, and, like the others re-
ferred to, are associated with the events OF
civilization and the history of the State.
Commencing in the northeast. and as the
eve glances soalthward, the following IA
miliar named prominences are most en-
spicuous: FSrk Mountain, 3,8543 Turk
Knob, 1886; Jarman, 3,165; Humpback,
8, 646; Russell Rock, or the valley salient.
opposite Greenville, 2,30A feet above the
sea. Through Back Creek Gap, the Mel
son county Sugar-!oaf located below the
eastern base Of the range, is observed as il
points upward in isolated grandeur This
attractive feature in far off scenery from
the Skaunton heights is viewed with adEi
ration, and is not unlike the sight which
can be caught OF Otter's sharp peak
through depression south Of Balcony
Falls. from the car window as the train
rushes hurriedly on its course on the de
scending grade of the Valley Railroad from
Timber Ridge to Lexington.
The stranger passing through OF soiouin
inc in our city, without the opportunity O.
ascending its surrounding elevations, would
scarcely suppose such commanding views
were to be obtained within the limits Of It's
corporate boundary. + park and the con
st,aotion of beautifully curved avenues,
hich the natural location invites, will
! correct all this.
Here from It's center the grand old coun-
Nv Of Augusta can be viewed. Its valleys
and hills. it's streams and towns and ham,
lets. and it's 1851 farms and their produc-
tions furnish themes fer others as well as
journalists, who cannot too often take up
all their varied interests But it is the
mountains with which We are now in COM
munion.
Passing by for the present our western
ranges. let us look along the eastern or
Blue Ridge chain. South of those named,
in the view caught from Reservoir hill and
Searss hill, are the Priests, big and little; IL e
Bald Friar; the Cold; and the noble Mount
Pleasant, towering in majesty apparently
above the famed Peaks of Otter. Without
considering the oapahilities of this extensive
tss III Of country of 100 miles length and
60 of it in view from our city heights, it is
sufficient to say it can be made to yield in
values ten, nay, twenty-fold its present
productions. The valleys and slopes are
naturally fertile, and much of the ele-
waited table lands or SUBMITS may be
classed as planes. There are in their
seasons native grasses growing in their
annual richness, only to fall .uncon-
snmed except in few instances wherein
Valley and Eastern stock growers avail
tbomsaIves of the rich pasturaoe for spring