Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-04-18
Alexandria in 1891.

| 10 our last article the steady and healthy
growth of Alexandria was shown, and that
the picture was not overdrswn may be
proven to spyone's satisfaction who will
make an inspection OF the localities de-
scrloed The growth. though not as rapid
rs in some other place., has been healthy
and natural, and not the result OF boom"
nor of sny of the numerous devices now
used to produce an artificial stimulant TO
prosperity. 1t is true, the natural advan-
iages Of this section have often been set
forth In these columns, and on several ocoa.
sions during the past ten or twelve years,
parties from other places, pretending to be
able and ready to push the city forward as
manufacturing centre, have been attracted
to Alexandra. That the hopes Of the orig
nators we're not realizsd Ia no fault OF the
city, but was the miscarriage OF commercial
venture, which is occurring In other places
daily. But the fact still remains apparent
that cautious, conservative enterprise lie
more likely to prove successful here than In
hundreds OF cities making much greater pre-
tensions. This assertion, we think, We will
prove before this series ofarticles shall have
| bseu completed.
1u 6UteFiDR bup Ou intO piotup
1t must have struck strangers, as 1t has resi-
dents, that this is ooe OF the few places the
euvrons OF which are lighted with electric
lty; that the commons and hslds as we'll az
the unpsyed streets are illuminated by the
electric glare, and that, too, as literally as
our chief thoroughiares save one. Some
still think that this Is an expensive luxury,
but that it will inure In no uncomfortable
manner to the eventual growth and pros-
perity OF the city ia generally conceded.
Wherever the electric light has been e1.
tended the value OF property has increased.
and that we'll lighted streets stimulate
building cannot be denied. These liehts
extend beyond the fsIds Ct Colross. and IL
lumine localities which year and halfago
did not boast OF go much as oil lamps Who
would have supposed FIVE years ago that
electricity would be now shedding its
powerful glare over the unpaved road
entire length, or casting it's penetrat-
ing rays over the lanyard ditch at
Wilkes aud Giobon stres.s, or that such mn
promising neighborhoods would now be en
joying the Injuries of streets which boast
opuleace aud grandsur2 Yet such change
has taken place 10 less than two years.
10 Dceb tuae CnU 10 nuuuCCu "
provs the city'e wisdom 10 Introducing
electricity in Alexandria /, the incontrovert-
ible fact that In the past sixteen or eigh-
teen III on hs there has bseu decide move
meDt real estate throughout the place ;
that lots are being sold daily for building
purposes 10 localities where for years the
bovine creation had grezsd or whore the
weeds grew rank and tall; and last, bot not
least, that parties whose business it is TO
sp: culate 10 real estate are doing here what
is done in sill growing oities-bnying AID
holding properly 10 Anticipation OF an en-
hanced value. This is not being done by
our people alone, but by parties from die.
taDct Ind In come cases long dis.anc az
Wss shown few days ago when the TACT
Was published that gentleman from Fort
lsnd Oregon, was buying lots here.
I,m:y not be gene ally known, though 1t
is q TACT, that small or nedium-size houses
are always In dsmsnd In Alexandria. and
though tundreGs nave bean erected curing
the last wear or two the demand still con-
ii.uss. Many OF onr own people having
sn, Mus capital are building houses Of me-
dinm csraci y to meet tbis exigercy and II
ia Get 6den.ly believed hundreds could be
,ptsd at remuneratve rates. A week or
Two ago small frame house 10 the vicinity
OF Bridge pump (Axtrems southern cad OF
Pitt street) being for rent, caused severa!
would-be tenants to GEEK the owner. among
them one from Washington. Now II suitable