The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-05-04

The hospitable doors of Hotel Roam
oko were wide open for the reception of
the distinguished party and an elegant
midday lunch was served. The table
was beautifully decorated, the main
feature being superb flower piece.
The trip had been so arranged that
the party could spend thirty.siK hours
IN Roanoke, thus having time to take
IN the.clty more thoroughly than has
been tho custom in the past. This OBJ
portnnity was made the most of.
Certainly no member OF the party will
forget the delightful visit to Rockledpe
Hotel in the afternoon.
Carriages were waiting ct Hotel Roa-
noke at3 o'clock and the party was
whiried rapidly through the sultry
streets. Crystal Spring was first visited
and inspected. Grnsral Manager Rawn
podntod out tho improvement of the
past year and outlined those to come.
when grassy lawns and inviting walks
VIII make the park and ponds of CRYSTAL
Spring the beautiful breathing spot Ct
Roanoke.
Thence the cavalcade of carriages
SLOWLY scaled the angles of the roadway
up Mill Mountain. From top to bottom
q stout rail fence now guards the pre-.
'cipices and dangerous slopes above
@hlch the roadway hangs and creeps.
MISSIONER was the river road aban-
'doned and the upper levels of the Gas
and Water tract reached than the cool
Western breezes famed way the sultry
meat OF the city. From bend to bend
the party rose and the panorama spread
and spread until the valley of tho Roa-
noke lay unfolded to the view. No
more inviting picture ever met the eve.
Far to the West the Roanoke de-
3ouches into the valley between tho
mountain raGiges, turning till it's upper
course seem shut in between blue hills
that touch it as it passes
alfmpseS are caught as it reaches
across the foot of Mill Mountain, nar-
ro@ed to silver thread. A mountain
fire WAS burning beyond the Cataws,a
range, its smoke drifting 4n and ming.
ling with the clouds which rise from en-
glne stack and furnace along the Nor
ioik and western, AT This height every,
mouse In Roanoke can be narAcd and
pointed. The fall extent of the city is
laid b2Ge and many we're the express
sions of surprise at the numerous new
buildings visible in course of erection.
AT the top the doors of Rockledge
Hotel weBo wide open. Gangs % labor
ers are still busy leveling grounds ard
perfecting the driveways. But the hotel
and tower are completed. The low
broad structure scarcely visible from
the city, contains in itself that sim.
plicity of architecture which finds ex.
preston even in its nazee. Broad veran
das let In upon cool and inviting rooms.
Tn" whole place breathes of air and
comfort The studied plainness of its
deeails are in harmony with it's intent
aud purpose. Wooden shaft close
doors and windows
Plain brick aeched in old fashioned
bond and point make up the spacious
fire places. Uncovered joists cross the
m assive timbers which support the
upper floors. Tho walls are ceiled in |
wood. The floors are laid in hard
wood. oiled and polished to fine finish. |
Cool breezes play across the floors from
every side. The clerks desk is across
the spacious lobby and is fully equipped.
Rocklodge Hotel received its christen-
ing yesterday. 1t is open and ready for
business. No hotel ever started in bus
mess with more pretentious first DAVIS |
registration. The register was discOy-
cred and President Kimball was in i'm. |
mediate demand. No name but his :
should head the list. THE TIMES 70 }. 1.