The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-05-08

a reasonable conception of the amount |
of work done and money expended |
might be formed The Iron Gate of to- /
day is an embryo city with solid foun-
dation. A rolling mill is ready for OPP
eratlons, which will turn out from 80 to
70 tons of muck bar per day. The ma /
chinery has all been placed, the building
completed, and all that is necessary pre-
liminary to active movement is the ad |
iusting and finishing touches essential |
in plant so large and composed of SO
many different patterns of machinery.
The whole structure is first class, one of
the most complete and substantial in
the South, and promises to be a success
from the start. During the month of
May, from the 18th to the Goth, the fur
naces will be fired up and all the ma
chinery put in motion for continuous
work. 1t has the appearance OF business
to look upon the extensive plant and
watch the intelligent movements of the
workmen. getting things in order for
launching the industry. Due notice
will he given of this important event to
that section of country, and it is ex-
pected large number of persons will
attend on the occasion.
simultaneously with the commence
ment of permanent operations at the roll
ing mill, will the beautiful Queen Anne
hotel, erected by the Iron Gate Land
and Improvement Company, be opened.
This is one of the most complete and
unique buildings of the kind we have
ever seen. 1t is constructed of the best
of timber, superbly finished, all of its
appointments are of modern design, and
as Il whole, as perfect a hotel as mechani
cal ingenuity could devise. 1t has from
thirty to forty rooms: each of the cham
bers furnished with neat, attractive sets;
hot and cold water throughout the
building; bath rooms, and all modern
appointments in every department. The
building is located upon an elevation
overlooking the beautiful valley that is
swept by Jackson's river, and hemmed
in by undulating grounds on either side.
A neatly terraced yard, with cooling
fountain in the centre, will complete
the picture of comfort and pleasure that
will be opened to invite visitors during
the present month.
The lithia and chalybeat springs are
within less than a stones throw of the
hotel, the waters of which are noted for
their remedial virtues, and which will
constitute an attraction both to the
health and pleasure seeker.
Some of the machinery of the steel
mill is on the ground. and the Railroad
Company has part of the finished lum-
Der on the siding to build an imposing
depot.
A wagon and wheel factory is in opera
ton: a large brick mandatory is being
pushed to its utmost capacity; several
planning mills are turning out finished
lumber; the foundation for the Farmers
Alliance Agricultural works is being
laid; the Luster Manufacturing Com
pany for making curry combs, &c, is
under way; a building for foundry and
machine purposes is about completed;
and other industries are contemplated
already assured plants that promise a
progressive industrial centre at Iron
Gate.
A vast amount of work has been done
in grading streets, opening up avenues,
clearing off forests, and preparing for
building purposes: The plateau to the
west of the valley is beautiful stretch
of level land, commanding a splendid
view of the whole country III every di-
rection, as far as the eye can reach.
Upon an eminence looking out upon the
charming panorama that is presented in
alternating hill and vale, a reservation
has been made for a $4,000 hotel, to be
| commenced as soon as the Company
may deem it eXpedient to undertake it.
About sixty houses are now under
contract and being constructed. Three
or four stores are in successful operation,
and prospectors are present every day
to select sites for building and business
purposes.
Taking it altogether, Iron Gate pre-
sents striking illustration of what
pluck and push can accomplish. But
a short time ago it was a cultivated farm
and untouched forest. To-day the foun
dation is laid and the plants secured
that will make it an industrial city, as
well as a delightful resort for travellers
and transients, aud those seeking
the exhilirating atmosphere and madi=
cinal waters of the mountains during
summer season.
WEST IRON GATE is an extension of
Iron Gate proper Its holdings extend
south and west of the original town site,
which are being rapidly thrown into
shape and plotted into lots preparatory
to public SALE w. 7. McCue, ESQ.,,
the energetic and sagacious Vice-Presi
dent and Manager of the West Iron
Gate Land Company, is as busy as a bee.
He has "a numbered hands at work clear
ing off the grounds, grading streets, dig
gng drains and doing the work neces-
sary to the successful consummation of
the scheme he has in hand.
SOUTH IRON GATE is a project that is
well under way, engineered by Mr.. J. j,
Shirley, of this place. This embraces
handsome plat of ground, and all the
stock issued upon it has been subscribed.
Plotting and grading will soon com
menace on this, if not already, and soon
this addition will contribute to the
growth and importance of the original
Iron Gate.
1t Is wonderful what a few men, in a |
short time, can accomplish. The old |
saying "where there IL a will there is a |
way is-forcibly illustrated in what has |
been accomplished at Iron Gate. and
with the same persistency and intelIi |
gent dedication of effort, a populOus, pro
gressive, wealthy city will in the near
future, be established, where a few
months ago the skill of the busbandman
alone was applied to exc out a scanty
living for q half dozen persons.
Why is it that the natural advantages |
of Staunt0n as an ipqugtrial centre, are
not accepted by our own people, and eff
forts put forth to utilize them?
Republican Convention.
We understand that tho eommittee |