Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-30
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NEW CITY IN THE MOUNTAINS or vrrorrA

A NEW CITY IN TIE MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA.
One Of the leading objective points TO-
ward which tho attention OF railroad ouiia-
ers has been eagerly directed IN the dini,
cult and costly task of uniting the nineIM
and timber regions of Eastern KENTUCKY
end Tennessee with the now e1tensivesysss
tenn of lines in tho iron and coal beit o.
Virginia is q wild and picturesque denlc OF
Big-Stone Mountain. On elongated spur;
forming part OF tho Cumberlandi
range of mountains just TO the eastward
of the Kentucky State line, known as Big
Stone Gap. -,
This gap forms tho only practicaole
oDeninr in the mountains for distance OK
about 40 miles. 1t therefore assumes I'M
portant relations to the Development OF
not only the rich forest regions oil hen-
lucky, but as o gateway through wnlch
must be carried the great tonnage OF coal
from the immense deposits of that mate
rial upon the western edge OF virginia on
its way TO the furnaces and 10 the sea-
board 40 various southern points. All OF
this coal is beyond the range IN winch Big
Stone Gap forms notch.
Upon a broad and nearly level plateau. in
n valley through which flows the Ioweu
river. three railroads will soon converge
namely: the South Atlantic and ONO rail-
road, coming ria Bristol, from Charleston,
:. c., and other far southern ports; the
Norfolk ard Western railroad. coming ma
the Clinch Valley of Virginia, and the
Louisville and Nashville railroad. the lat
ter continuing through Cumberland Gap
to the southwest. and connecting with IT'S
main line at point south Of Louisville.
Ky.
At Big-Stone Gap nature seems to have
prepared the Wav TO an extraordinary de-
gree for the occupation of mankind.
Here. in the centre of a region rich in
high-grade iron-Ores. and in close proxim
ity to the coking and other Goals. sur
rounded by an ample agricultural region,
the Big Stone Gap Improvement Company
has founded its new city.
The wide expanse Of lands well drained,
and enjoys absolute immunity from over
flow. The valley has an altitude above sea
level Of 800 feet. and the surrounding
mountains an elevation Of from $500 TO
1000 feet.
Ninety per cent. of the vast and as yet
almost untouched forest area Of which this
place IS the outlet. is covered with yalua-
Ole hard woods. the trees being of extra
ordinary diameter and height.
Practical men familiar with the extent
of the great wave of development WIT
messed throughout the entire southern
mineral belt cannot fail 70 concede hlgh
and almost unrivalod advantages TO those
who locate industries and choose their
| homes in this healthful, picturesque. and
| central point among the undegeloped
| riches now being for the first time placed
under contribution to supply the demands
! of the energetic American people.
In this new point Of effort many success
/ full men have come together, uniting their
I capital and experience. IheY lnclude lrOn
! factors from the Connellsyllle PA region,
! 4 al IA On
/ builders and fnauciers from New York
/ Boston, and Philadelphia, and sagsciou'
/ businessmen from the States near at hand
Abundant water-power should be added u
the other advantages OF cheap tuol, ores
I building material. and food supplies.
/ At Big-Stone Gap there are already II
/ process Of construction two furnaces cost
ing about SSo0,O00 IN electrlc-hght plant
1 belt-line railroad, street railway, water
works che water coming SIX miles anc
having fall of 800 feet). A new hotel II e
/ be built at q cost of 2l50O0O. Saw anC
/ planing-mili;. brick-works, a iurniture-iac
tory. and kindred Industries OF q new regloI
are already at work.
Land to the amount Of about 5000, 900 ha
already been sold.
/ Within a few days an association ha
( been formed TO bring into notice Noun
I tain Park. tue lovely highland plateau
/ above tho town, y greet cohluS piauc Ia
/ also been determined upon, and the stat
I of Kentucky has incorporated the Inter
+ state Tunnel Company, which proposes t
pierce tho Cumberland and Black noun
tains for the use OF the numerous rallroa'
4 lines planning to traverse this field.
1 During the week commencing June z
an army Of investors coming IN Pullman
| cars from all directions will attend sal
/ of lands at Big-Stone Gap. participating Il
I an event interesting TO every student o
/ the times in which we live. becauseit Illus
trates the boundloss resolution, resource
and faith in the continued national pros
per5ty Of the preseis generation OF AmerI
| cans.