The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-04-11
IRON GATE.
A Proposed Mountain Cify-its Many
attractions and Prospects.


principal Office is at Iron Gate, AIleglia-
ny county, Va, with branch offices at
Trenton, N. j :, and Richmond, Va.
The property of the company consists OF
abont 600 acres of specially selected land,
lying on both sides of the river, at the
gorge. where the Jackson. before it merges
into the James, breaks through the North
Mountain range. The valley, at the west
end OF this canyon. is entirely occupied
by The town of Clifton Forge and the
Ohio railway. The mountains which encos g
the Iron Gate property are preelpltlou5
and on either side carry large deposits OF
iron ore and limestone. Within a radius
of FIVE miles are three coke fnrr aces
I4owmoor. Longdale, and Princess. now iii
blast, with an aggregate capacity OF 400
tons per. day. In addition to those
in blast there are two Others under
going repairs, besides the 200 ton furnace
at Victoria. which will blow in next
month. Calie furnace is in the same
neighborhood. So it may be seen that there
are seven furnaces, with total amount pro-
duced, when all are in blast. rs they will
be as soen as repairs are completed, OF
over 900 tons-in amount equal to
more than one half the present iron pro-
duct of Virginia. This is to-day the
largest iron producing centre between
Pennsylvania and Birmingham. and the
character of the product of this region, is
for mill work. superior to any produced in
the South. The lands selected for indus
tries and business occupy aplane, which at
small expense, can be properly graded
This portion is guarded on either side by
rising grounds. on the west side terminal
ing in an extensive mesa or table land,
covering about two hundred acres. This
plateau overlooks the valley. with the riv
er winding around and through it,and com
mands picturesque view of the surround.
ing country as mountain rises above NOM
tain until lost to view. From the hill side
west of the va ley burst forth numerous
clear springs. some of them of the highest
medicinal virtues, and furnishil G ample
!
applied. The natural drainage is perfect.
The river wonld furnish ample water for
all descriptions of manufactures. The To-
cation is about 100 feet above the level
of the sea and in section famed for it's
healthfulness.
The contracts already made by the com
parry provide for the erection of large
Rolling mill, and negotiations are pending
for other industrial establishments.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Hallway hav-
ing acquired the con rol of the Richmond
and Allegheny railroad. which intersects
with it at Clifton Forge, has secured of
the Iron Gate Company yard room for the
transfer of its exchange business. A dam
send the water through the town by a
conduit that can be drawn from at any
point. Permanent arrangement can be
made for the delivery of coal at Iron
I Gate at cost not to exceed So per tor.
The plan of the company comtemplates
the furnishing of sites for manufactures
and other industrial plants. there being
abundance of water for all manufacturing
purposes.
The entire expenditures-on account of
lands. grading privileges. commissions.
charges. &C.. is $37 900. 1t will require
1925 coo to carry out the contract with the
Rolling Mill and other plants, making a
total OF $62 600. The capital stock of the
company will consist of 900 shares of
800 each, par value and fully paid. This
woull leave in the treasury $3S 900 for
the encouragement of other industries =
The plan is to advertise and sell town lots
rs soon as the work begins on the facto-
ries. fixing the price upon the basis of
probable values in u town of 1000 inhab-
itants, the company reserving the right,
however, to advance the price of unsold
lots.
The general plan and purpose of the
| Iron Gate Company. as above given, are
taken substantially from it's prospectus.
A recent visit to the property revealed to
us that the prospectus is exceedingly mod
est. In Tact it is too modest, for it does
not describe the attractions of the place
or convey a correct idea of its possib1li-
ties.
AS the gorge, with itsmajestie overhang-
ing cliffs is passed. a stretch of perfectly
level bottom over a mile in length is pre-
scented, with the river gently Owing on
the eastern verge, and the hills rising on
either side. forming a semi -amphitheatre
| v,hnr no cd fa
mand a full and complete view of the entire
property and surroundings. Nature seems
to have fashioned the grounds for the pur-
pose it is now proposed to dedicate them
"a seat of active industries and the abode of
comfort and contenlment, where health
giving waters may restore exhausted ma
ture and the esthetic taste be gratified by
by the most charming and bewitching
scenery.
AS summer resort we know of no los
callty where more natural attractions can
be found. The mineral springs, includ-
ing chaly beate, equal to the Riwley by
actual analysis, ak ilne and sulphur, are
remarkable for their variety in such close
proximity. their abundance and curative
virtues. The forests abound with deer
and other game. and the river with black
bass and California salmon, while the
tributary streams offer plentifully trout
and other fish. Hunting fishing. boating.
and bathing could be INDUCED in to the
heart S content, aud every healthful and
manly exercise contribute to the enjo =
ment of visitors.
1t is in contemplation to erect commo-
dious hotel on the hill rising up from the
Springs and commanding view of the
busy scene of industry which in the near
future will be spread out in the Valley. as
well as the picturesque and gorgeous land
scape that reaches back over succeeding
mountains to the utmost stretch of the
vision.
1t should be borne in mind that Iron
Gate is not an isolated location cut out
of the forest or plotted on desert, away
from human fabitatIon. like some of the
doomed cities of the South and West. 1t
is to be the elbow ne.ghbor of what is
destined to be the "A ltOona of the South, y
The movements OF the Chesapeake and