The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-02
A TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS.
Brief Notes of AshevilIe...SOme PeO.
pie Build Finer Houses than any
in AbbeviIIe-..Delight Scenery
...SDlenliI Travel.

A few days spent in the mountains OF Yves.
tern North Carolina Is refreshing 10 one who
the monotonous, routine business life OF
country town.
Relief from the hot summer days of the
month OF August, the mosquito, and the
pIeasorable experiences Of the writer, lwho
lvailed himself OF u trip to the mountains
for fortnight.
1t is interesting to note in these progressive
railroad facilities Tor travel; the rapid tran
sit few stoppages, through trains, no change
of cars and elegant parlor coaches, Leaving
here after breakfast and arriving at Ashe-
Vile ut $3.50 p. m, same day.
But of the heulthful, charming, bracing
climate, and grand mountain. .Escenery OF
ASheville and vicinity, l wish more rarticu-
larly to Speak.
in view of the mountains, and in contact
with the cooling, refreshing breeZes fresh
from the craggy peaks OF the Blue Ridge, ana
and as you ascend upon grade Of two hun
dred and thirty feet to the mile, with an ex-
ira engine attached, which is necessary to
carry you safely to the mountain top at Sa-
luda), it is interesting, to watch the sharp
curves in the road, and now and then to see
leaping down, tits outlet dashed into
deep cascade" and with bated breath
to look down upon the tops OF high
trees as you cross q trestle OF some
Arriving at the summit OF the mountain we
get partial view of Saluda, a town OF much
resort for the invalid; But short time
brings us to Asheville, q growing city OF about
spacious hotels, Is now place Of resort, not
only for the South but also OF the North and
though real estate is high, very high, yet al,
most daily, buildings, both dwellings and
business houses, are being erected.
The Electric Street Railway is in successful
operation to the great convenience of her
citizens and visitors. aftordng cheap trans
portation through the principal streets, and
in two instances, upon mountains several
miles distance from the city.
The popular hotels are the Battery Park
and the kennilwort tn lnn, the former nav.
ing the advantage In location, being situated
walton looking down upon the beautiful
French Broad, and giving splendid view OF
the magnificent scenery OF the Blue Ridge, In
every direction. This House is under the
management of Steel & McKlssick, and they
have about two hundred guests.
The kennilworth Is Il very handsome build
ing, costing about five hundred thousand
dollars. 1t is handsomely furnished. This is
It's first season, and though not yet COM
pleted, has several guests.
But the grandest, and most marvellous en-
terprise in Asheville Is the Vanderbilt es.
tate. He Is now erecting very handsome
dwelling on the top OF mountain some nVe
miles South Of Asheville, and will eXpend
five millions of dollars, improving his noun.
tain estate. The foundation OF his mansion
will cost nearly four hundred thousand dol
lars. His LAWN Tennis Court" has cost him
sixty thousand dollars. When peak OBJ
structs his view OF the mountain scenery, he
cuts 1T down. When valleys are in his way
he fills them up. he has railroad Of his own
running from the Asheville and Spartanburg
K. R., to the top of his mountain. He has his
own factory for making brick, tiles and flow
er pots, of the latter he seems to have thous-
ands, and which are intended for his conser-
vatory, which will doubtless be the most
beautiful ever seen.
To appreciate the magnitude of the Mr..
Vanderbilts enterprises, you must be an
plished. If we could get Mr.. Vanderbilt to
become interested in our new railroad pro-
ject in which Mr.. Gaines displays so much
zeal, we would soon have it completed and II
by way OF Asheville. you might 60 and see
what you have heard. Il.