Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-22
GAINESVILLE.

A Rapidly Growing Town--I,s situasien and
Adyantages-Tobacco Trade--Resi Estate
ss Futurr.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.
AUGUST 20, 1885.
This progressive town appears to
have been seldom mentioned by your
correspondents. Its rapid development
and growth since the completion Of the
railroad, the enterprises inaugurated.
and the business thrift apparent on all
sides, make il deserving conspicuous
mention as the rising town of Soushside
Virginia.
Ii is situated on commanding emf
nence! with many hills ascending from
the Dan and Roanoke rivers, Afford
ing splendid building sites, easy of ac-
cess, and with views of magnificent ex-
tent. UndulatiDg surroundings, con-
stant-running streams Of fresh water,
and thorough drainage, make it place
whose heealthfulneSs and attractiyeness
at once strike the eye Of visitor.
Here before the war a large tobacco
manufacturing business was done, the
| plug shipped to all the principal mar
kets Of the country ranking with the
| best grades. Then. as a leaf-tobacco
market it was third in the State. The
war caused the removal of the iron on
the railroad to the Piedmont road, and
when hostilities ceased for long time
the advancement OF the town was
slow.
Now new and splendid railroad,
with steel track, reaches here from
Keysville, completed last year, and the
town again starts on fresh career OF
prosperity.
Nearly three millions of pounds Of
leaf tobacco are annually sold here.
The adjacent country is specially
adapted to the production Of fine yell
low leaf and sweet Sun-cured filler.
From this section was obtained the
best material for the Winesap and
Honey-Dew brands, whose reputation
was coextensive with this continent.
Large brick factories still stand here,
but at present there is no manufac-
turing carried on. The buildings are
well arranged. skilled labor can be en-
ployed, provisions are abundant, rents
low. working material Of all kinds is
readily procured, and there are railroad
and telegraph facilities with all COM
meIcial points.
The warehouses here have been built
within a few years, are commodious
and modern in architectural design and
and are managed by ex-
perienced and enterprising men.
There are here twenty mercantile
establishments, two good hotels, five
churches, one large wagon mandatory,
and splendid mineral water near the
place. The lands on the river are ex-
ceedingly fertile, and immense quanti-
ties Of grain ana other products are
yearly marketed.
Capitalists are now seeking invest
ment here. AS an evidence of the adj
vance in property | will mention that
less than three years ago l05 feet Of
ground here on Main street sold for
$500, and recently 81 feet Of the same,
without Improvements. sold for 81, 300;
also, that one vacant store, bought a
few years ago for $500, sold for 81 900
all Of the above to gentleman from
Oxford, n. c., who contemplates ex-
tensive improvement. Thomas Will
l;apc Ec, ,rboeo conf Jonoo -, 4bo e.,
ture Of the town has never wavered,
was the owner who made the adyanta-
geous sales.
No more inviting field for capitalists
to make investments in and engage in
can he found in Virginia.
The railroad will in few years be
extended to Oxford. n. c., thus making
tributary to this market some of the
finest tobacco-lands in Granville county
and section rich in agricultural
and mineral products.
The prominent merchants engaged in
business here now are r. II. Bugg, c.
W. Tisdale, Morton & Torley, Has
kins & Brother, L. Il. Gilliland & Bro
Their, b. ID. Morton a Son, Thornton Il
Pugh, w. P. Webb Il Co., II. D.
Sigeman, Benjamin Puryear, Thomas
F. Humphreys, F. j. Lipfert, I. c.
Ware, johnson & Patterson, j. A.
Drake, George J. Dabbs, Steintorf ii
Son, j. d. Pettengill, II. NJ. Rogers,
Gregory & Co., Gilliland a Co., c. II.
Russell & Son, Easley & Day, A. W.
Magee, Jeter. Moss q Co., NJ. d. Tan
ner, l.. Il. Blanks, W. II. Lyon q Co.,
4 Tennes, Martin Brothers &
Baker.
The water-power on the Roanoke
river here, with all the natural advan-
tages aud surroundings, is Of immense
value.
The population is steadily increasing,
and the business activity and substan-
tial improvements to be seen on the
streets prophesies future of wonder
fol prosperity, j.