The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-01-09
The Roseland Company.

The Roseland company owns one of
the most valuable properties in the
South. Its lands cover over 5000
acres. Touching the Gallagher farm on
the west, Waynesboro and the proposed
site of Basic City on the west and north,
it's eastern and southern lines run along
the crest of the Blue Ridge and back
again to the South River, so as to take
in the most valuable specular and brown
hematite ore lands in the South. Davidia
has long been known as valuable iron
property, but late operations there have
far exceeded the expectations of those
who have always held it in high repute.
Ore is now being mined and shipped
from the Roseland property, but in the
near future furnaces, rolling mills and
factories will use all these ores right at
the spot where they are mined. Manga
nese is also found on this valuable prop
erty. With these valuable ore beds are
splendid sites for furnaces and factories,
and magnificent range of uplands for
residences Roseland has within itself
all the elements for building large city.
Its ores will supply any number of fur
naces.
Leaving WaynesborO by what in future
will be known as Wayne Avenue, we
cross the South River and enter upon the
Roseland property. The first point OF
interest is the celebrated Baker Spring,
which will be used to supply the new
city with water 1t is one of the finest
springs we have ever seen. Gushing
from under the sandstone formation OF a
gently rising hill. there is a flow of seven
million gallons per day OF pure soft
water. So large is the flow, that imme-
diately in front of the hill is lake, the
bottom of which is covered with pure
white sand. This lake flows off into
stream at least 20 feet wide, and all over
the bed of the lake and of the river the
waters can be seen boiling up. On the
hill just above the spring is the old Ba-
ker farmhouse. On this site will be
built fine hotel, supplied with all mod
ern eonveniences Connecting with
Wayne Avenue and passing just in rear
of the Baker house is the grand boule-
ward of the Roseland property. upon
which lots will be laid out for residences.
This boulevard follows the contour OF
the foot hills, and winds in beautiful
curves along the entire length of the
property Standing at the south end OF
the boulevard, there stretches out before
you as grand panorama as can
be found on the American contl-
nent. To the right and east is the
majestic Blue Ridge, which here sweeps
northward in lines and slopes of wonder
full beauty. Before you lie the lowlands
of the South River. skirted on the west
by the river itself. which passes through
the entire stretch of the plain like a
thread of silver. To the west is the ris-
ing ground beyond the river, and to the
north on this upland is located the an
cient city of Waynesboro. In the centre
of the plain and on the east side OF the
river is Waynesboro Junction, the future
Basic, formed by the intersection of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway running
east and west, and the Shenandoah Val
ley Railroad running north to south.
Standing, as we did, on the mountain
slopes and overlooking this combination
of natures marvellous work, bathed in
the glorious sunlight from a colorless sky,
and swept by purest mountain breeZes,
we wondered that man SO long neglected
the boundless sight. 1t was grand
scene, and knowing that just behind us
in the mountain sides, on the Roseland
property. lay untold wealth. which need
ed only the magic touch of labor to
bring it forth for the use of man, it was
not difficult to see, that in the near flu
ture, the plain before us would be alive
with industries : the uplands and the
hills built up with handsome residences
the homes of those seeking health and
an invigorating ozone, removed from
the stir and hustle of town and city life.
Man has come. but with tardy steps, to
utilize the gifts of nature; and the Rose
land people have builded wisely in so
adjusting their lines as to embrace all
the essential elements of future large
city Their plains for future operations
of iron plants, and the eternal hills which
stand as sentinels to guard this scene of
beauty which lies below in the valley,
will, by the skilled labor of man, be
made to contribute to the growth and
wealth of the coming city.