Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-21
The TWIN CITIES.
4 Bj7J Sketch Of HkcH Resources
and Future ans.

Where in 1913 were only a few loo
huts or board shanties. to shelter less
than one hundred people, where the
Indian Wigwam, and the Indian wal
| WhOOp were most familiar sights and
sounds, there is to-day a goodly city
with church spires pointing ever up
ward, and the ceaseIess sound OF
machinery ever calling work, work.
There are long avenues, and wide
streets shaded by elm and maple, and
bordered by pretty cottages, with here
and there elegant grounds, fit setting for
costly residences or the more modern
mansion that bespeaks the wealth and
taste Of the owners. Then, the grand
| old river, one of the finest in the state.
was bordered on either side by giant
pines that gave promise in their soft
murmuring of a sure and golden harvest
| to him who would, make his home under
their ever deepening shadows. How
well the promise has been fulfilled, let
the elegant structures OF stone and
brick, the mills, factories, and depots
answer in their echoing calls as morn
ing, noon and night the laborer is
called to his work. All has changed.
The river alone retains its primitive
beauty, no artificial aid is needed to
make it surprisingly beautiful. In
passing the city it has a descent of
thirty feet over an irregular and rocky
bed. In high water the rush of the
swiftly flowing stream, dotted with
numerous emerald islands, with here
and there huge rock showing its
danger signal, in the revolving whorls
of foamy waters, is picturesque indeed.
The beauty and grandeur of the river
here, must forever redeem the cities
that crown its banks from the common
place.
Grand Rapids on the east bank, and
Centralia on its west bank, as twin
cities destined to become one, clasp
hands in harmony as children of one
common parentage, and the bridge that
spans the river is only one of many ties
that bind them inseperably. When
once the roar Of the river was echoed
through forests of pine, and the buzz of
the saw in rude Watermills, broke the
quiet of the little burg, we have now
three pulp mills, two -four mills, two
furniture factories, 4 paper mill, hub
and spoke factory, each running large
forces with unlimited material in near
proximity to supply all demands The
waterpower is ample to increase the
manufacturing interests tenfold In the
heart Of the Wisconsin hardwood dis
trict, with excellent railroad facilitates
we marvel that we have not many more.
All of the factories here are doing well.
others can do as WE'LL Or better. A few
years ago a man in Minnesota started a
factory for the making Of woodsmen's
wearing apparel, started with two labor
ers, a single sewing machine, and
capital of less than $780, In three
years the plant was worth $4,000 The
twin cities may not promise so great
success, but We have vast stretch of
country where a market for such goods
is offered, and a waterpower equal to
the demands required to carry on such
an enterprise almost to give away.
Here also is to be found fire clay,
tested, and found to be of superior
quality, with market in easy distance,
an investment that promises sure and
quick returns, to any man coming with
practical business knowledge of the
business. It is not visionary to expect
a great city here in the near future.
The laws Of cause and effect are immu-
table. We have the inevitable causes
that make great cities, we will have the
effects. Our new city hall was used for
public purposes for the first time last
week Tuesday, the cranberry growers
met in convention in one part of the
building, while in another the North
western Wisconsin Medical Association
held their meeting.
Rents have advanced fifty per cent.
in the last year. The supply falls far
short Of the demand, twenty houses
suitable for mechanics with moderate
salary could be rented, but there is not
one to be had.
K
- I