Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-21
BA DTORD.
Southwest ViFEinia's --latest - The
Mountain lake.
Correspondence OF The Richmond Dlspatch.l

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dlspntchl
RADFoRD, Va, September II, 1888.
"Radford 2" think | hear some Of
your good readers inquire, Where
and what is Radford ?" Well, it is one
of the coming cities OF Southwest \ ir-
GINA. Ii is Old Central, on the Norfolk
aud Western railroad, III Montgomery
county, with q big new piece spliced to
it. rcchristencd, backed by some large
capitalists. both northern and southern.
and pushed by some enterprising citizens
both old and new, pushed out of its old
self beyond recognition, and even Its
old name so entirely lost sight of that
il you should there happen TO speak of
Central the citizens would think you
had come from way.back or North
Carolina.
The place is situated on New river
and has a population Of some 1900 or
1000, which has 80 run ahead of Its ac-
commodatiOns that its two large hotels
and several lesser ones cannot contain
the overflow, and there are many heads
of families who cant bring their fami-
lies here because there are no homes for
them. And the business has 50 over
flowed the depot that the railroad com
pany is about to build another. a large,
strong depot has been contracted for, to
be located some distance west Of the
present building. about where the centre
of the new city will be. 1t is 70 be fin
ished by the first Of the new year.
The new curved iron railroad bridge,
xrh,ot hoe kao,, IytfItprr all fba
across New river, is nearly completed,
and il is expected will be ready for the
passage Of trains from the New River or
Pocahontas division by the last Of the
coming month. Heretofore all the pas
sengor and heavy coal trains from the
Pocahontas region have had TO come
down upon the main stem al a sharp an
gle, where they would be subject to the
delay and inconvenience OF shifting and
backing TO get across the old straight
bridge Hereafter they will run directly
across the river on the new curved struc-
ture, striking the main stem on the east
bank of the river, leaving the old bridge
for the direct traffic, and thereby great
advantage will be gained
The new town is beautifully situated
on the elevated lands of the Radford,
Wharton, and Heth estates on the east
bank OF the river. The land company
has bought 800 acres for $3.50, 600. and
laid 1t off into streets, avenues, and lots
for residences and business houses,
which are being rapidly bought up. The
streets are graded, and rayine which
separates the old part Of the town from
the new is to be spanned by pretty
bridge, which will b8 one of the features
OF the place. There are over two miles
OF river-front, along which is most mag
nificent water-power, which is reserved
for the manufacturing enterprises. OF
these there are to be two $500, 900 iron
furnaces and two large tanneries, and
probably wood-pulp and paper-iactory.
AN Atlanta firm proposes TO erect large
hotel.
Church facilities have not been lost sight
OF either. and the company's offer OF lots
for church and manse TO any denomina-
ton that will build has already
been accepted. The Presbyterlsns
will build church on the lot they have
selected. Rev. j. ID. Thomas, the evan.
golist OF Montgomery Presbytery. has
undertaken to put the enterprise through.
lhsye never seen prottier situation
for large town than this. the views Of
river, surrounding country. and noun
ta,ns being unexampled, aud the drain.
age perfect, while the abundance and
convenience Of iron. coal, and stone, the
junction OF railroads, and the unequalled
water-power would seem TO warrant the
expectation entertained by those best in
formed here that in five years Radford
nil have 10000 inhabitants. and in the