The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-15
SUMMER RESORT FOR ROANOKE
A Magnificent Hotel to Be Built
On Mill Mountain,

With an observatory, Casino and villas.
The Long Cherished Scheme OF Presi-
Beautiful and Commanding Road
way to he Constructed on tho Top of
the Mountain-What Prominent Bust
ness men Think of the Enterprise.
The Roanoke Gas and Water Com
pany propose to add to Roanoke's at
traction by providing an elegant sum
mer resort for its citizens noar their
business.
1t has long been pet scheme of Pres
ident Kimball to improve tho mountain
property of tho company and in the
enterprise now proposed he will carry
out his long cherished desire.
The company has already been max
ing extensive improvements in the
southern section Of the city. One
bridge across the river has been finished
and another is nearing completion.
macadamized street leads from
Walnut street across the bridge to the
Sylvan road that now skirts the foot Of
Mill Mountain. From this it Is pro-
posed to construct a serpentine road to
the top OF the mountain, which will ex-
tend to point on tho northeast side
with the Peaks Of Otter in full view,
and extending back to a point on the
southwest side, commanding a beautiful
view, taking in Moccasin Gap. Tho
drive to the top will te about q mile
and fourth, and for the entire distance
overlooks the entire city, and gives
splendid views OF the surrounding noun
tains. The steepest grade will be only
ten feet in one hundred, while great
part of the way will be level.
On the top of the mountain the COM
pany proposes to erect an observatory, a
magnificent hotel and casino and num-
Der of beautiful villas.
What is done will be done substanti-
ally, and first-class resort will be pro-
yided. The location is generally re-
garded as most admirable one, and
the enterprise will doubtless provo
profitable to the promoters and a great
benefit to the city.
Thc following inter views with promi-
nent business men show how they re-
gard the matter:
Capt r. *. Rice: This is indeed good
news. The owners can lease mo a villa
for the summer without the least diff
ficulty as soon as they get one ready
for occupancy.
VIM. NJ. Wager: Just what our bust
ness men need for their families. It
will be convenient and after the days
hard work in our offices is ended we can
go there then and enjoy q delightful
evening and a quiet nights rest The
enterprise will have my hearty CO.
operation and patronage.
w. A. Carpenter: 1t will be good
thing for Roanoke and will prove a
pleasant summer resort without the
danger and annoyance of travel. Roam
Ckers will patronize it literally.
Hon. VIM. G. Evans, mayor Of Roam
oke: am very glad to hear this. 1t Is
good news. The place is suitable for
great summer resort and we will be
proud OF it. OF course, we will patron
ize it.
James S. Simmons: Mr.. Kimball's
liberality and public spirit in develop
ing this section exceeds any example on
record and anything he proposes should
receive our support. If he carries out
his ideas with reference to this enter
prise am sure the people of Roanoke
will give his place their undivided pa
tronage.
VIM. H. Horton want to see it done.
1t will suit me to perfection. / will
contract to take my family there every
summer.
~ A. S. Asbcrry: The very thing Roam
oke needs most. A summer resort on
Mill Mountain will be paying inve st.
ment. doubt not a hundred villas
could Re rented after the place become
known. 1t is magnificent location for
such an enterprise and the view to be
obtained from hotel there is alone
sufficient to attract hundreds of people,
Is. a. Jones: 1t will prov de US with
delightful summer resort at home,
where we can spend the nights with our
families and not lose q day from our
business. The location selected is fault
less, and am glad it will be utilized.
VIM. f. Baker: I am satisfied it would
be a grand thing for our CITY and will
be glad to have villa there.
John Chalmers: The very thing we
med. l hope tho work of building will
be fastened forward. A resort on Mill
Mountain will be great thing for
Roanoke, and, believe, for the prop
rietors.
w. p. Camp: 1t will be great con
venience for our business mon who de-
sire to remove their families from the
city during the summer months. Iwant
to see tho hotel and villas erected, and
you can put me down for one OF the
latter.
7. It. Fishburne: I would rather
spend the summer there with my family
than anywhere else. 1t will not only
be an attraction, but source Of rove
nue.. Put me down for villa.
b. l.. Greider: Count on my family
and my influence with my friends in the
North. Provide such a resort as this
here and hundreds of people will flock
to it every summer. They will come
early and remain late.