Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-11

Gus. 10 means for this haTbor that
In the immediate future, when IN
creased competition between carriers
and producers snail obtain Ia condition
now impending), the shortest isasablt
routes Of commerce mus. and will be-
sought and utilized. THIS makes it IA
mathematical certainty that the great
highway of commerce between the sea-
board cities and Europe and the great
Northwest, the ''graInary OF the world"
will pass the gates of LudlngtoD.
God made Luiington q great poss bill
", and the keen intellect of the nine
teentn century. approaching the DIVINE
effort, Is developing greatness COM
mensurate with the original design.
Some cities attain To commercial im-
portance by virtue of natural wealth
and others by force of the enterprise
of her citizens, but Ludington, without
these aids, Though che has them both
cannot escape greatness.
Hallway Connections.
At present the city of Ludington is
connected with the railway world by
the F. & p. NJ. railway system. Two
otner roads. the Luding.on and Big
Rapids railway and the Mason and
Ocean County railway are projected
and under construction. Freight rates
are thus assured TO all state and out
side points at rates as low as Chicago
can obtain. either for east or west
bound shipments. Through freights,
from the Northwest or the seaboard in
evltably pass her gates, thereby subserv-
ingboth economy and dispatch.
Manufacturing Interests
Aside from its harbor facilities no
force has been so potent IN the up
building of Ludingtou as her manu-
featuring interests. The growth and
development of Michigan numbering
yielded TO tina favored town a gener-
oNs measure of its wealth producing
influence. In her earlier history the
town became famous as one of the
greatest lumber markets In the North
west. Then came the inception and
development of her salt industries.
Contemporary with these gigantic de-
vel pments attention was turned to
the fertility OF her soil and the wealth
producing possibilities OF her hortlcul-
tursl districts. Upon these vigorous
industrial movements . vast array of
artisans, iaborers and merchants were
fed, clothed and housed, This de-
manded houses, stores and mills, and
In . marvelOusly short time the origi-
nal harbor town left its historic moor
ings TO take on the raiment of modern
metropolitan lifs and to join IN the
race OF diversified industrial growth.
Today Ludington is independent of
any one natural or artificial element of
strength. She has for her resources
and future support . diversity Of IN
dustries that no other town Of ike
population in the state possesses. Her
lumber and salt interests, now in the
full vigor OF mature development,
with FIVE to ten years of activity before
them, are transactin. volume OF busl-
ness aggregating millions OF doliors an
nually. These interests have attracted
other interests. Iron working machine
shops, capable of handling and repair
ing ponderous machinery, have been
demanded and supplied, and today
Ludington has three iron working IN
situations, each doing a prosperous
business and producing an enormous
output of milling and railway ma
chinery.
Advantages for Manufacturers.
Ludington possesses many advan-
tages for manufacturers that no other
city in the state can offer. She IS in
the heart of rich agricultural district,
capable Of supporting economically an
immense laboring community. She
offers social, religious and educational
advantages for the better class Of wage
earners that are unsurpassed. she Of
fers the advantage of cheap homes,-a
consideration of vast Importance for
the wage szrner-and, finally, she Of
fers . salubrious climate and a sanitary