The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-06-12
Iron Gate, Va.

A BEAUTIFUL TOWN BEAUTIFULLY sITUATEp-
THE SCHEMES FOR DEVELOPING HER MANY AND
VARIED RESOURCES
Special Correspondence Journal Of Commerce.
As an example of what few men can accom-
pfsh within brief period and with but moder-
ate aid from the outside world, the rapidly
growing town of Iron Gate may be accepted,
The town, which was surveyed and plated but
a few months ago. now possesses a beautiful ho-
tel OF handsome modern design, recently erected
by the Iron Gate Land Improvement Co., and
rolling mill with daily capacity of from go to
70 tons of muck bar, besides wagon and wheel
factory, q large brick mandatory, several plan
ing mills, the Farmers Alliance Agricultural
Works, the Luster Manufacturing Compan's cur
ry-comb manufactory, foundry and machine
shop and other enterprises. About 60 dwellings
are being built several stores are In successful
operation, prospectors are:everywhere selecting
sites for homes and for business purposes, streets
have been graded, avenues opened up, forests
cleared and a number Of large manufacturing
plants secured which will go far towards build,
ing up the town and making OF 1t a thrifty city.
To those seeking the benefits to be derived
from pure, wholesome and delightful climate
and aneighborhOod of fine springs with splendid
medicinal properties, Iron Gate offers strong at
fractions The town Is situated directly ON the
line of the Richmond Allegheny railroad which
traverses the lands of the Iron Gate Land 4
Improvement Co. from north to south, and con-
meets it with Clifton Forge, another new and
enterprising town situated only two miles to the
northeast To reach Iron Gate from Clifton
Forge the tourist must pass through gorge one
miles in length, with high mountains towering
above him on either side. To the left is Rich
Patch Mountain, with tia immense depasits of
iron ore while an the right IL another high
mountain also teeming with mineral wealth,
which has been partially Developed, Through
this gorge flows the Jackson river which, at the
foot of the Iron Gate COmpany's property unites
with the Cow Pasture river to form the James.
Iron Gate is situated In natural basin and Is
practically at the head OF the James River Val
ley. At the upper end of the town is the prop
erty of the Iron Gate Land Improvement Co..
on'which is the handsome hotel which viii be
thrown open to the public July I. The company
have reserved that portion Of Its land which
lies along the railroad front for manufacturing
Sites The property ID not all OF the same char
aG:tfr as that OF the level plateau ON which the
town Is mainly built. Southwark the cOmpany's
property rises gradually and forms natural
eminence from 200 to 800 feet HIGH at the summit
OF which is another broad plateau, which has
been partially divided into building sites by the
company. who will create q large park from the
remainder. Tho company has cleared away the
tnest ana largest trees to beantfy 4 cir nro oe
erty, on which are two lithia springs each with
prodigious flow of water, and also chalybeate
The iron Gate Inn, erected by the company, is
a unique building complete In all its appoint
southwark, magnificent view may be had Of
the James river source and the sea of velyety
green fields, amid which the noble stream has
It's birth.
the company also propose to build a spacious
depot at Iron Gate and have made reservation
on which to erect $40, Goo hotel as soon as they
may deem 1T expedient to build one Of that