Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-31
tCommunicatod.i
Btg-stene osp.
A NEW crrr IN THE MOUNTAINS ov vrsnpl

NEW CrrY IN THE MOUNTAINS o3 vfbontAs
One Of tho leading objective points %
ward which the attention OF railroad build.
ers has been eagerly directed in the dim
cult and costly task OF uniting tho mineral
aud timber regions OF Eastern kentucky
and Tennessee with the now extensivesys-
tenn Of lines in the iron and coal belt o.
Virginia is wild and picturesque denie OF
Big-Stone Mountain. an elongated spa.
forming part Of tho Cumberland
range OF mountains Just TO the eastwsfd
Of the Kentucky State line. known - Big
Stone Gap. "a,
This gap forms the only practicable
opening In the mountaine for distance OK
about 80 miles. IL therefore assumes I'M
portant relations to the deveiopment OF
not only the rich forest regions OF nen-
tucky but az a gateway through which
must be carried the great tonnage Of coal
from the immense deposits OF that mate
rial upon the western edge OF Virginia on
its way TO the furnaces and TO the sea.
board at various southern points. Al OK
this coal is beyond the range IN which Big
Stone Gap forms a notch.
Upon a broad and nearly level plateau. ~
q valley through which flows the Poweu
river. three railroads will soon converge
namely: the South Atlantic and Ohio raul
road, coming rl1 Bristol, from Charleston.
:. c.. and other far southern ports. the
Norfolk and Western railroad, coming ria
the Clinch Valley OF Virginia. and tho
Louisville and Nashville railroad. thu lat
ter continuing through Cumberland Gap
10 the southwest. and connecting with its
main line at q point south OF LOUISVILLE.
Nv.
AT Bic-Stone Gap nature seems 10 have
prepared the way 60 an extraordinary do
gree for the occupation OF mankind.
Here in tho centre OF region ron IN
high-grade irou-ores, and in close proxim.
ity TO the coking and other Goals. sur
rounded by an ample agricultural region.
the Big Stone Gap Improvement Company
has founded its new city.
The wide expanse of land il well drained,
and enjoys absolute immunity from over
flow. The valley has an altitude above sea-
level of 1900 feet. and tho surrounding
mountains an elevation OF from 2,oOo 10
1900 feet.
Ninety per cent. of the vast and 80 yet
almost untouched forest areaof which this
place ia the outlet. IL covered with 'alua-
Die hard woods, tho trees being OF extra
ordinary diameter and height.
Practical men familiar with tho extent
Of the great wave Of development Wit
messed throughout the entire southern
mineral belt cannot fail TO concede high
and almost uuriyaled advantages To those
who locate industries and choose thor
homes IN this healthful, picturesque, and
central point among the undeyeloped
riches now being for the first time placed
under contribution to supply the demands
of the energetic American people.
In this new point Of effort many success
f,iI men have come together, uniting their
capital and experience. They include iron
/ factors from the Connellsville Pa } region.
steel makers from the same State. railway
builders and financiers from New York.
/ Boston. and Philadelphia. and saaacious
| businessmen from the Statesn near at hand.
Abundant water-power should be added to
| the other advantages of cheap fuel. ores.
| building material. and food supplies.
| At Bio-Stone Gap there are already IN
process of construction two furnaces cost
! ing about $500 600. an electric-light plant.
! belt-line railroad, street railway, water:
works the water coming SIX miles ana
/ having fall Of 800 feet). A new hotel IL to
be built at a cost of Sl50.0O0. Saw and
planing-mlls. brick-works. turniture-fac-
torv. and kindred industries of new nsgpn a
are already at work. ,,
Land 10 the arnountof about 5000. .o0o'has
already been sold.
Within few davs an association has
been formed 10 bring into notice Noun
tain Park. tho lovely highland plateau
above the town. AgTeat cOking plant has
/ also been determined upon, and the state
| of Kentucky has Incorporated the Inter
state Tunnel Company, which proposes 10
pierce the Cumberland and Black noun.
tains for the use Of the numerous railroad
lines planning TO traverse this leld; n,
During the we& commencing June "a
! an army of investors coming IN fullman
cars from all directions will attend sale
of lands at Big Stone Gap. participating IN
an event interesting TO every student OF
the times in which we live becauseit Illus
trates the boundless resolution, resource.
and faith in the continued national pros'
perity of the present generation OF AmerL
| cans