The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-12-11
Staunton and the Fair Grounds.

for $4,000. will probably come up for
final consideration at the next meeting
of the Council, to be held on the even
ing of the first Tuesday in January
This is matter of great Importance to
the city, and to the following considers
alton of it the attention of all citizens is
called.
The inevitable conclusion, it would
seem, to which examination of the ques-
ton must lead a public-spirited citizen,
is that the city should buy the grounds.
The basis of such Il conclusion is COM
posed of weighty and incontestable facts.
The first of these facts is that the Fair
association must sell the grounds. 1t
cannot be expected to carry it's heavy
debt any longer when at present prices
the land can be sold for three times it's
cost.
The second fact is that Staunton's pure
and wholesome water supply, in which
so much pride is taken, would in all
probability be damaged or ruined if the
city should fail to purchase the fair
grounds. They would be divided into
lots and built upon if sold to any other
party, and the drainage from the houses
built would necessarily flow down
through the loose mari to the four
springs from which the city reservoir is
supplied. The thirty-two acres compos-
ing the fair grounds are naturally and
unavoidably drained directly into the
spring branch that flows near by and
communicates with the waters of the
four springs mentioned. Staunton's
wide reputation as healthful city would
give way before reports of bad water
supply. Dependence could be placed
upon no artificial means for protecting
the springs against the deadly impuri-
ties of house drainage. Condemnation
proceedings to protect the water supply
would secure the land for the city,, but
at cost perhaps five times greater than
the Fair Associations price.
In the third place, the present water
supply must be increased before the
city grows much larger. There is plen-
ty of water for present needs, but very
little surplus. The cheapest and best
course to obtain water for few more
thousands of population is to utilize the
three or four springs on the upper por
ton of the Fair Associations property,
which adjoins on two sides the eighty
five acres bought by the city over fifteen
years ago as a source of water supply.
In the fourth place, the city of Staun>
ton cannot afford to lose the annual fair.
To obtain it Harrisonburg, Basic City
and other places will offer inducements
that the debt -burdened Association can
hardly afford to decline-especially with
its present chances for selling it's Staun-
ton property at a high price. A removal
of the fair would not only be out of har-
mony with Staunton's new growt! and
pretensions, but it would also deprive
the city of business during fair week
whose gross aggregate certainly aver
ages not less than $4,000 for each fair
Of this large sum nearly every business
man receives share, and it all remains
in Staunton. Being generally distribu>
ted among the people, it is a public ben
city government with public money
The Council would appear neglectful of
its opportunities in submitting to a re-
moval of the fair, when enterprising cit
les elsewhere put forth every effort to
secure any kind of a large gathering that
brings in people and money. And Staun
ton is not asked to appropriate money for
retaining the fair; it is simply asked to
buy for $4,000, with no Objectionable
conditions, what it needs and should
have, and what could be sold to other
parties for $4,000. A responsible bust
ness man statSd yesterday that he would
snatch the prs kerty at 100000.
In the fifth place, Gypsy Hill Park,
which is not large enough for the city
that Staunton is soon to be, can be en-
larged one-third by purchasing the
adjoining thirty>two acres offered by the
Fair Association. The fair property lies
! higher and is more suitable for pleasure
ground than the present park. The gen.
tie undulations, sunny exposure, perfect
drainage and clear flowing water of the
fair property make it an admirable place
for pleasure purposes. The present park
and the fair grounds together would give
Staunton III acres of public ground su
perior naturally, by reason of springs,
to the celebrated common of Boston.
The sixth fact is that the conditions of
the Fair Associations proposition are
| just, and as favorable to the city as they
could reasonably be made. The price
asked, $4,000, is exactly what the ground
cost the Association seventeen years ago.
| The one important condition is per-
petual right to use the grounds for an
annual fair, four days in each year,
and for several days preceding and sue
ceeding the fair to prepare and clear
away. By the proposition the money
spent in making the lake and race track,
and upon the fences and buildings, is
given for the right to use the grounds
for the fair, given along with the $4,000
additional money that could be realized
from a sale to other parties. And all the
benefits of the fair go to the city. The
Association proposes to pay it's $1,000 in
debtedness from the purchase money,
and to use the remaining $4,000 fer mas
king ornamental Improvements for the
fair, the design, location and quality of
buildings, etc. to be jointly agreed upon
by the Association and the Council. The
Association proposes also to bear the ex
pense of keeping in good order all build
ings for its exclusive use and all the out
side fence, and to remove all unsightly
buildings. sheds, pens. etc, that would
be out of place in an improved park
| In the seventh place, it is evident that
the Association is willing to go as far in
favoring the city as fidelity to it's own
interests will permit. By accepting the
proposition the city will get for one third
of it's value as simple land. an improved
and completed park, with a race track
| and lake already made, and with no
| accompaniment of necessary additional
expense for improvements. The annual
fair need not damage the park, or inter-
fere materially with it's regular uses. The
ice, the boating and other privileges will
yield the city annually a. per cent. on
IL. al 81 20.