The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-01-22
"The Altoona of the South

- 80
"The Altoona Of the South"
The severe winter weather came at an
pportune time for the improvement
and public enterprises which
ave been planned, or are in contempla-
ion at Clifton Forge, West Clifton
Forge, Iron Gate, Glen Wilton, Low
Moor, Covington, Rich Patch, Goshen,
md other organizations inaugurated for
he development e that section of the
State. 1t was at Z time when business
matters were being adjusted to the Jan
nary settlements, which concentrated
thought upon the winding up process
that attends the close of every year;
and afforded a needed rest, as well as
necessary preparation for the early |
Spring movements. A recent visit to
that locality, however, revealed the evi>
dences that extraordinary activity would
prevail as the sap begins to rise in the
trees and the buds mature tor bursting
Everybody seemed to be in hopeful
mood. and well they may be, for the flu
ture holds in store rich return for all
we'll directed efforts put forth.
At Clifton Forge, large stove and
range industry, new hotel, Is dummy
railroad line, and possibly blast fur
mace, are among the assured and proba-
BILE improvements, supplemented by a
number of business and residence build
ings, 10 be commenced as soon as the
weather breaks and the Spring season
approaches, when outdoor work can be
done. The large brick building OF
James A. Frazier is labout completed,
and every room in it rented in adj
vance of completion. The three-story
brick edifice being erected by +. M.
Nettleton, is being pushed as fast as the
weather will permit. This will be occu-
pied by the Postoffice, bank, a pub
fishing house, and other business lines
which have been engaged to occupy it.
b. T. Bagby is about completing large
frame building, which will be appropri-
ated to a boarding house or hotel pur-
poses;y the Clifton Forge Company is
erecting commodious house on the
plateau overlooking old Clifton Forge
to be occupied by its General Manager,
and numerous other buildings are under
contract and work progressing on them
notwithstanding the severe weather
work The want of house acconmoda
tions has kept Clifton Forge back. Had
there been residence and business houses
to rent or sell ample to meet demands,
the town would to-day have a popula-
ton of 6,000 or 1000. This has been a
great drawback to the progress of Cliff
ton Forge, and ought to and will be rem
edied at once, as several building asso-
Citations will commence operations as
soon as the season will admit.
Iron Gate is preparing for an active
Spring. Among the improvements
there arranged for is a spike and bolt
factory for railroad furnishings; an en-
largement of the capacity of the Rolling
Mill; blast furnace, and a large num-
Der of dwelling and business houses.
The discovery of fine body of high
grade brown hematite iron ore ON the
property of the Clifton Forge Mining
and Development Company. immediate
ly opposite Iron Gate, is an important
factor in the blast furnace project.
West Clifton Forge is forging ahead
on substantial lines. Over one hundred
houses will be erected at once by one
building association, in addition to a
number of large and attractive residence
buildings already under roof. The COM
modious and attractive hotel of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company,
ON the banks of Jackson river, is APP
preaching completion; large depot, to
cost $4,000. will also be erected on the
grounds of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Development Company, the plans for
which have been made, and work is to
be commenced as soon as practicable.
The Allegheny Mining and Develop
ment Company will commence opera
tions on its property in the early Spring,
and consummate negotiations for several
industries in contemplation. 1t is the
purpose of those interested to erect a
number of residence and business houses,
and the Company will at once commence
to build hotel, sufficient to accommo>
date those going there to look after
their interests. AS soon as the board of
directors meet, active movements will
be put on foot with view to improving
their beautiful site for prosperous and
populous town.
At Rich Patch the rails are being laid
to connect the mines with the Low Moor
railroad, and ultimately with the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railway at McElwee's.
1t is expected by the first of February
the company will be able to ship about
300 tons of ore daily, and will increase
the output commensurate with the or
ders that may come in. Before the pres
ent year is closed there will probably be
not less than 1000 hands at work in the
mines of the company. Three or four
tunnels have been run in solid ore-one
of them nearly 100 feet, with drifts from
them on through the same solid forma-
ton. The mines are SO located that any
number of men can be worked in them.
limited only by the market for the pro
duct. The ores are accessible, with
gentle incline to the washer and railroad
track from the mines, and arrangements
have been made to work them to their
full capacity, if orders shall be sufficient
to justify it. These mines could supply
the ores for half dozen furnaces, and we
hope to see as many in process of cree
ton during the present year. This will
be the case if iron men will examine the
locality and inform themselves of the
advantages there offered for making iron
at minimum COST
The Covington Land and Improve
ment Company. under the energetic
management of B. F. Eakle, jr., is pre-
pairing for comprehensive Spring busi-
ness. An addition to the already large
and attractive hotel-the Altemonte-
is to be erected; blast furnace put up;
and several other important industries
have been secured, and a number of res
idence and business houses contracted
for. The Potts creek railroad, opening