Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-01
rARrs AND STREETS
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Nowhere Is the progress and pros
p<rity o. Richmond better exhibited
than IN her parks and streets, There
were four years Of war. when nothing
could BE- done for their bettcrmcnt.
Then Tiers wrc five years when the
sdsy was wholly OF partly under mili-
tary ruIes and when the public mind
was snerosscd with more pressing mai
ttrs, and no systematic plan Of mn
provement could be inaugurated /; but
with the rcturn Of the city government
to the hands OF it, people in 1870,
Captain Charles II. Dimsaock was
elected City Engineer, and real start
was made. Captain Dimmock was an able
and clear-siehted officer, and he lost no
time In deyising plans to make the city
more beautiful. For about two years
and = half he worked with great skill,
esYnestness, and sagacity, and laid the
foundations OF many improvements
which were afterwards made. He died
IN 1872. There was an interval, dur
ing which Mr.. s. Edward Bstes---lcng
connected with the Office. long doing
! excellent seryice--actce as Engineer,
and in 1873 Colonel w. Il. Cutshaw
wss elected TO succeed Captain DIM
mock. That the Colonel has been an
exceedingly valuable officer, every street
sand every park in this city proclaims.
He has been laborious and systematic,
and has come to be recognized as one
OF the great city engineers Of this coun-
Try. Monuments TO his skill viii exist
here in Richmond as long as the city
lasts. The organization OF his depart
ment is as follows:
w. +. Cutshaw. city engineer; s.
Edward Bates. jackson Bolton, Chas.
Y. Boiling, and Frank T. Bates, as
sistant engineers s. b. Jacobs, clerk.
John j. Cbadick, ID. 4. Craddock.
and John II. Gardner, managers OF
hands and carts.
A. T.. McGhec, manager sewer force.
M. NJ. Ellis. Daniel Higgins, James
Hannah, and W. Z. Purcell, park
keepers.
The following information concerning
city parks, streets, and buildings shows
what advance has been made in recent
years, and goes far to prove that not
only is Richmond prosperous but
that it is progressive city:
sttv Parks.
Monroe park is located in the western
part Of the city, and is bounded by
FRANKLIN, Main. Belvidere, and Laurel
streets. IL contains about "a acres,
and was purchased in the year 1851.
Before the war it was used as Fair
Grounds. The first troops that came
here from the South during the war
cnmped there, and il was occupied as a
camp-ground and military hospital until
the evacuation. For year or more
after that the United States Government
used ii for like purposes, and there was a
cholera hospital for soldiers therein 1866.
1t was first laid out as a park in 1868,
: with winding paths, and was enclosed
with neat wooden fence and Usage
hedge. and considerable number of
trees were planted and fountain erect
ed. Except some slight changes and a
few additional trees added, nothing
more Of any consequence was done till
the fall Of 1881, when the grounds on
ali sides were nicely slopcd back and
+. made to conform TO the grade of the
surrounding streets, and the slope re-
sodded. The old Usage hedge was then
replaced by California privet hedge,
and the trees that were cut around i'll
sloping were lowered. This was a
great improvement TO the grounds. In
consequence Of the eicv..tion Of the
park above the sidewalks, and the
height Of the old hedge, the view Of the
grounds from the sidewalks was entire
Ii INSTRUCTED. As il is now. ii clear
view can be obtained from any side.
AS the grounds were originally laid
on with winding paths. having no direct
access to the entrances. the necessity of
change Of paths became apparent, and
ut present the park is being laid out
anew. Avenues twenty feet wide, ra-
dating from the centre Of the grounds
in the direction of each gate, with cross
avenues Of the same width, are being
made. and the fountain will be changed
from lis present position to the centre
of the grounds. All this will be COM
pleted in the spring.
The park will be greatly beautified
by the changes now being made. 1t
will have at least two thirds of mile
Of paths. All Of the lamp-posts have
been shifted TO the lines of the new
paths. and trees taken up out Of the
line OF the new paths and replanted.
The grounds are amply provided with
good substantial benches.
MARSHALL PARK (LIBBy HILL.)
These grounds were purchased by the
city about the year 1852. They lie in
the eastern part of the city between
Franklin, Main, Twenty-seycnth. and
Twenty-ninth streets, and contain
about three and one half acres.
These grounds remained in a very
rugged condition. no attempt being
made to improve them, till the spring of
1873, when they were taken in hand
BY the City Engineer, and laid out into
drives. terraces. and paths. 1t is a
prominent hill overlooking the river,
Falls plantation, and large portion
of the city. Its elevation Is about $50
feet above the river. Ii contains two
thirds Of a mile Of drives and paths.
Trees arc planted along the same, and
the grounds are amply supplied with
good substantial benches.
In the year 1881 thirty-ioot road
way was started, commencing at the
junction OF Twenty eighth and Main
streets, continuing eastwardly along
the southern slope OF the hill, passing
up the "Bloody Rum rayinc, crossing
the portal Of the tunnel, and connecting
with ChiInborsxo Park. This road has
Just been completed, and makes beau
tiful drive, in full view Of the river, at
least three quarters Of mile in length.