Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-03
CITY'SRECORD
THE OLD AND THE NEW YEAR IN
THRIVING NEWPORT NEWS
what the Harvest Hss Been and What IL
VIII Bc-Progress and
Prosperity.

NEWPORT NEWS. January AIT this sea-
son Of summarizing the past of cities and
taking peep into their future Newport
News can well claim TO deserve more than
passing notice.
The year OF 1891 shows record OF which
not only our own people, but the rest OF
the State have o right to be proud. Al
though it 10 o recognized fact that most OF
the new towns of the State suffered de-
preston during the year, this city by the
sea certainly has no reason to complain.
WHAT WAS THE HiRvEs1I
What was the harvest? During the year
the tonnage. of the Chesapeake and ONO
railway largely increased, and there was
in consequence decided expansion in the
shipping interest The mercantile busi-
ness of the city made substantial advances,
the mammoth ship-buIlding plant was kept
busy, the minor industries more than held
their own, and building progressed
steadily. TO the population there
was appreciable addition. marked
disposition was shown 70 beautify
the interior of houses already built, and
the general social conditions were such as
TO demonstrate that the population were
thoroughly content and were looking TO
permanent residence. Last. but not least,
real estate values we're maintained, and
right on the heel of the new year two
large syndicates-one composed mostly OF
Richmond capitalists and the other OF
Durham On. O. cspitalists-purchased
blocks of lots, with a view OF commencing
building operations on an extensive scare
in the immediate future. This latter tact
even the most skeptical cannot fail TO al:
nit exhibits n confidence In the future OF
Newport News that few places can claim
10 have inspired, and which is well worthy
of the attention Of investors everywhere.
WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BEf
What will the harvest bottle harvest OF
1892 Newport News enters the year with
splend,d balance TO her credit on the
book Of progress. Judging the future by
the past, Judging 1892 by 1891, there IS
splendid year before her. As i have fire.
quently stated the demand for houses here
is far in excess and must continue for a
long time In excess of the supply. his
necessitates tremendous activity IN build
ing, the employment of q large number or
mAsOns, carpenters, and others, ana the
distribution of vast amount OF money
10 the retail trade. The getting under
way of the great transatlantic steamship
feet connecting Newport News Win tne
principal cities of Europe means the work
ing OF tho ship-yards TO their full capacity,
consequent increase OF skilled me
chanics, the establishment of MINOR indus,
tries to give employment to the families OF
these mechanics. and necessity for resi-
dences far beyond the capacity of the four
hundred and seventy-odd lots taken up by
the two syndicates.
The dedication therefore Is obvious that
not only must these syndIcates reailze
largely on their investment by the rental
of their houses, but there must be most
decided advance III the prices OF ali lots
contiguous to their property. which IS To-
Gated in one of the most beautiful ana
available annexes of Newport News.
What the harvest will be for those who
have already invested here, what u VIII De
for the place as a city. and what for those
who may invest before the inevitable big
lump IN values comes cannot be obscure
TO men of any business sagacity.