The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-07-31
Clifton Forge.

Clifton Forge.
SOME THINGS NOTED DURING A FEW DAYS RAM
BILE IN AND ABOUT THE EMBRYO 'ALTooNA OF
/ THE SOUTH fs fs4
the past week in and about this busting town
concerning which SO much has been said and
written during the past few months, and
having no axe to grind, nor any particular
interest In any OF the points mentioned, the
Following may be taken as a fairly correct
statement OF things as he found them
Although Clifton Forge was our objective
point headquarters rather-our first expedi-
tion was to Iron Gate, which furnishes good
example Of what few energetic men can ac-
complish in comparatively short time Here
we found the large rolling mill in full blast with
full force OF wOrkmen; also the planning mill,
foundry, and the wide -awake establishment of
the Luster Manufacturing Co. large force
OF workmen are rapidly pushing to completion
the four buildings Of the Farmers Alliance Ag-
rlcultural Implement Works, which will be
ready to commence operation about the Goth of
August, at which time excursion tickets at four
cents per mile for the round trip will be sold on
all roads throughout the State to that point-an
arrangement which will no doubt draw a large
number of visitors, and members of the ALI
ance in particular. The extensive brick yards
at Iron Gate also deserve more than passing
mention, their product being in great demand
not only at home. but at distant points, where
their superior qualities have become known and
appreciated.
The town, at the first glance, does not impress
one as having made any rapid strides, but
closer inspection reveals the fact that there are
almost. if not quite, hundred houses compile
ted and occupied, either as residences or places
of business, exclusive of the various industrial
establishments In addition to these are several
handsome and substantial residences in course
of construction-in short, the casual observer is
impressed with the conviction that while Iron
Gate may not be making as much noise as some
of her clustering, booming rivals, yet her future
Is assured-the foundation, and a solid one, for
prosperous town is there. and the rest is bound
to follow.
Near Iron Gate-so near, in fact, as to be in
cluded in the list of industries of that place,
the extensive limestone quarries Of DIR. Walkup.
where considerable force is employed. One
kiln has been completed, and Others are to be
added at once.
Our next tour of inspection was over the prop
erty of the Clifton Forge Company and here we
were again forcibly impressed with the truth of
the old adage, appearances are deceptive
The view from the usual and most convenient
point Of observation-the railroad depot-for
parties passing through, is not at all promising,
but if one takes the trouble to walk up to the
brow OF the hill back Of the present town, his
opinions undergo a radical change. Standing
at this point, the eye commands view unsur-
passed for beauty and grandeur by anything we
have yet seen either in or out of Virginia. In
'front.' almost at feet. lies the town of Clifton
Forge, with Jackson River winding around the
base of the mountain, which forms the back
ground Of the picture To the east is the 'Gate,',
the tremendous gorge through which the river
forces it's troublous way to the We do not
propose to attempt description of this scene
others far more adept in the art Of word paint
Ing have tried it and failed to do the subject
justice, and we have no desire to be added to
the number. To the west are the lands Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Development Company,
but the view extends far beyond these to the
furnaces at LOw-MOor, four miles distant
Northward and westward stretch the table
lands of the Clifton Forge Company-not a mo-
notonous plain, but gently rolling ground ad-
mirably adapted for building purposes, bounti-
fully supplied with pure water by strong springs,
and readily approached from the town below by
streets which reach the summit by easy grades.
Like the frame work of beautiful picture,
are the distant mountains on every side, stretch
ing outward and upward until their outlines
partake of the colOrs of the blue canopy above,
and their submits mingle with the clouds on
the horizon To quote the words of the gentle
man who accompanied us over this portion of
the property: 1.-THE man who can look unmoved
on this scene; who can stand here and not feel
the presence Of the Omnipotent Power, is as
sOulless as the stones at our feet''-a sentiment
in perfect unison with our own thoughts.
ic h;
the practical and poetical as this does, and the
beholder is at loss to conceive how or why it
has been SO long neglected
The Company has added greatly to the value
of their lots by clearing out all the underbrush
and rubbish, leaving almost all of the forest
trees standing, removing only those necessary
in grading the streets, thus giving the entire
property the appearance of a well-kept grove,
and entirely obviating the necessity of setting
out shade trees by the residents.
The property contains in all $3.50 lots, exclu-
s,ve Of the reservations for hotels, parks, man
ufacturing sites, etc. and everything will be in
readiness for the drawing of lots at the time
fixed upon-August Goth.
The map Of the property has been completed
and Mr.. Fraser, the engineer in charge of the
work, is now in the east making arrangements
to have it Autographed. The grading of the
streets is progressing rapidly under the ener-
getic management Of the contractor, Mr.. Jos.
H. BOxley, SO that by the time the drawing takes
place those in attendance on that occasion can
drive over the property and view it at their
ease.
The manufacturing sites and business lots are
located Immediately west of, and on about the
same level as the present town-convenient ac
cessible, well located as to drainage, ETC., and in
every respect as desirable for business purposes
as those on the higher level are for residences.
The Clifton Forge Wooden Mill Company was
organized last week, and work their build
ings will be commenced as soon as the necessary
arrangements can be made.
Adjoining the property of the Clifton Forge
Company on the west are the extensive machine
Shops round house and yards Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railway Company, now in course Of
construction, and employing small army of
workmen. At this point, the railway company
is making considerable alteration, in it's road
bed, necessitating the building of some three
miles Of double track road, including new iron
bridge across Jackson River The new bridge
crosses the one now in use, the track being about
twenty feet lower. Across the railroad, north
ward, and across the river westward from this
point, are the lands of the Development Com
pany, whose lot drawing took place recently,
and a description of whose property was given
in the VIRGINIAN at that time
In striking contrast to the activity and hustle
Of Clifton Forge Is the desOlation and semi-ruin
which mark the Callie Furnace, about four
and a half miles from the former place. Cross
ing the river at Clifton Forge, short climb up
the mountain side brought us to the road-bed Of
what was formerly the railroad connecting with
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. Following the
road, from which the rails have long since been
removed, crossing several dilapidated trestles,
over which we picked our way very carefully,
our feet sinking into the decaying timbers at
every step, we finally arrived in sight Of the de-
serted furnace We were satisfied to gaze
on it from a distance; the change from
the scene of activity just behind to the un-
attractive one before us was not such as to urge
us to make closer acquaintance with it. We
know nothing OF the circumstances which in
duced the builders of the furnace build in that
location, but it seems rather peculiar that it
should have been placed there five and a half
miles from the railroad hauling their machinery
and building materials that distance, and after
the furnace was in operation, hauling good por
tion of the supplies to keep it going, and trans
porting the finished product back, over noun
tain road, the grade of which was SO steep as
to render a heavy train out of the question:
while at the same time they owned sufficient
property for a furnace site on the main line of