Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-29

A VIEW CITY IN TIE MOUNTAINS ox viDtASias
One Of the leading objective points To-
ward which the attention OF railroad p9iin-
ers has been eagerly directed IN the oiin,
cult and costly task OF uniting The mineral
and timber regions OF Eastern hcntucsy
and Tennessee with the now extens,vcsys--
tenn OF lines in the iron and coal belt OF
Virginia is wild and picturesque deEle OF
Big-Stone Mountain. IN elongated spur
forming a part of the Cumberland
range OF mountains Just 10 the eastward
Of the Kentucky State line, known as Big
Stone Gap.
This gap forms the only practicable
opening in the mountains for distance OF
about $50 miles. II therefore assumes I'M
portant relations 10 the development OF
! not only the rich forest regions of Ken
tuckv. but as a gateway through which
must be carried the great tonnage OF coal
from the immense deposits OF that mate
rial upon the western edge of Virginia on
its wav TO the furnaces and to the sea.
board az various southern points. All OK
this coal is beyond the range in which Big
Stone Gap forms notch.
Upon a broad and nearly level plateau. n
valley through which flows the foaeh
river, three railroads will soon converge
namely: the South Atlantic and ONO raii-
road. coming ria Bristol, from Charleston,
:. c.. aud other far southern ports; tho
Norfolk and Western railroad, coming Cid
the Clinch Valley of Virginia, and the
louisville and Nashville railroad. the lat
ter continuing through Cumberland Gap
70 the southwest, and connecting Win us
main line at point south OF LOUISVILLE
Nv.
At Bie-Stone Gap nature seems to have
prepared the way to an extraordinary oe-
cree for the occupation of mankind.
Here. in the centre of region rich IN
high-grade iron-Orcs. and in close proxim
itv 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 expansa of lands well drained,
and enjoys absolute immunity from over
flow. The valley has an altitude above sea-
| level of 1.600 feet. and the surrounding
mountains an elevation OF from 2,5OO TO
4 200 feet.
Ninety per cent. of the vast and as yet
almost untouched forest area of which TINS
place is the outlet, is covered with Nalua-
! be hard woods, the trees beng 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 TO concede nigh
! and almost uurivaled advantages TO those
who locate industries and choose thelr
] homes in this healthful, picturesque, ana
central noint among the undeyelOped
riches now being for the first time placed
under contribution to supply the demands
| of the energetic American people.
Ia this new point of effort many success
| mi men have come together, uniting their
! capital and experience. They include IRON
| factors from the Connellsville Pa.) region,
steel-makers from the same State, railway
| builders and hnanciers from New YORK
Boston, and Philadelphia. and sagaclous
! businessmen from the states near az manu-
| Abundant water-pOwer should be added &c
| the other advantages Of cheap fuel, ores
| building material. and food supplies.
At Big-StOne Gap there are already IN
process OF construction two furnaces cost
| INC about $500. 600, an electric-light plant
! belt-lino railroad, street railway, water
| works (the water coming six miles ano
having a fall Of $50 feet). A new hotel 10 tC
be built at a cost OF Sl5OO0O. saw aho
planing-mills, brick-works, a iurniture-iac
tory. and kindred industries of Il new region
| are already at work.
Land to the amount % about SGOO,OO0 ha'
already been sold.
Within few DAYS an association ha'
been formed TO bring into notice Noun
tain Park. the lovely highland plateau
above the town, A great coking plant Ia
also been determined upon. and the stat
of Kentucky has incorporated the inter
state Tunnel Company, which proposes q
pierce the Cumberland and Black noun
tains for the use OF the numerous raiiroa'
lines planning to traverse this field.
During the week commencing June =
an army Of investors coming IN Pullma
cars from all directions will attend sal
of lands at Big-Stone Gap, participating 4
an event interesting TO every student Q
the times in which we live, becouselt Illus
trates the bOundless resolution, resource
and faith in the continued national pro.
perity of the present generation OF Amer
| cans.