The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-03-26
Clifton Forge.


'sThe Altoona of the South is what |
Gen. NJ. E. Ingalls, months ago predicted
Clifton Forge would be. More recently
he has declared it AS conviction that
within ten years there would be from
10000 to $4,000 people located ut that
place. If the wonderful natural resour-
ces of the mountains and valleys con
tiguous to it, and the natural advan-
tages it presents are properly represent
ed in the activities of the future, that
prediction will be verified before ten
years. To-day there would be 5000 or
buildings to accommodate them; and
as these are supplied will population
flow in. The workshops of the G. u o.
Company; the industries that are being
established by the Clifton Forge Com
pany, the work that is being accom-
plished by the Clifton Forge Develop
ment Company, and the enterprise and
push of individual citizens promise re-
suits in the near future that will 60 far
to make an active business centre,
| and prosperous and progressive city.
Clifton Forge is a point where all trains
have to stop whether going east or west
to either enlarge or lessen their burthen.
1t is where much, if not all of the through
! freight DIVORCES from the main line to
avail of the easy grades of the Il. u A.
division. These trains will largely in>
crease in number and capacity, as the
coal and iron developments along the
road west of Clifton Forge are enlarged
and the equipments are multiplied.
Much of the line is already laid with
| double track. and no doubt the whole
of it will be as soon as practicable. The
company has had to encounter good
many obstacles since it passed under its
prese at management, in instituting the
improvements that have been made.
Its road was on the verge of bankruptcy
when Mr. Ingalls, took charge as presi-
dent, and out of this condition it has
been brought, and a progressive and
prosperous future assured, the result
| of sagacious management and tlreless
| effort. There cannot be an improve
ment made along tie line that will not
In the course of time, contribute to the
advantage of Clifton Forge. Its loca-
ton ami surroundings will command
this. and with live and active men to
assist in the work, it will not be long
before the place is out of the crystals state
and assuming the dimensions, influence
and Importance of a prosperous city
| There is no better point along the
| line of the @. & O. railroad between
Richmond and the Ohio river for a
wholesale trade, especially in groceries;
and the men who with sufficient capital
first undertake the business, will be
amply rewarded. Not only in groceries.
but hardware, drugs and dry goods, q
large iot,bing trade could be drawn to
| Clifton Forge as one of the most son
| yenient and available shipping points
in the two States.
If not at once. these will come in the
near future. The present year will be
notable period in the history OF the
place. 1t will really date the progress
| of the iowa, as the forces are forming
| for very busy season for all classes OF
citizens, especially builders, and the be-
ginning of the hopefnl and confident
prediction of Gen. Ingalls, of a pupula~
| ton of 40, 900 or $4,000 within the next
! ten years