The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-25

4 Brief Sketch OF the Improvements Ia Our
Fayorite Port.

OF the Few renlaluiug emmy ~ 'l'i'N
which swung out with the tide of town
building in Virginia within the last sew
eral wears, none have so we'll fulfilled IT'S
promise of future greatness as orr peer
less port of the Old Commonwealth New
port News. Through the vicissltudes
which were so disastrous TO most OF the
inland towns starting even IN the race
Newport News continued 10 look down IN
pride on the laughing waves OF Hampton
Roads. which bid safety and shelter 10
the mercantile marine from every shore
and grew and grew.
The Chesapeake and Ohio railroad
made il the terminus OF ifs great trunk
lines and built a great elevator. Ships
came. and a regular commerce was
started: manufactures followed and trade
increased Great piers were built
whore other ships could ride and then
they built ships Such industries brought
population, and the people made enduring
dwelling places. and city with a broad
and noble destiny stands beside the sea
where the Nirginia cOlonists first sighted
that aid for which they once so longingly
looked.
The whole history of this city of rare Vi
tally might be told in such few words.
but there are wonderful achievements
which have been made and greater ac-
complishments yet projected, of which too
much cannot be said.
Those who have watched with interest
its small beginning and witnessed its
wonderful accomplishments have ceased
to doubt the prophesy that Newport News
is destined to be one of the most p0pulOus
cities Of the Atlantic senboard. Man, af-
ter all. is only shaping into regularity
what nature seemed to have fashioned
Tor n city.
Tie first impression made on visitor
year ago even was that the plans for
Newport News were laid too large, but
when large areas were covered with sub
stantial structures in q short time and the
moro remote points connected with broad,
graded streets and city improvements,
the wisdom of such preparation was seen,
and there seems rather TO be need OF
looking yet further into the future. Rich
mond has many valuable interests there
and these possessions are highly priced
Among the most fortunate Of the Rich
mOnd investors are number OF gentle
men who compose the Newport News
Company, of this city, who bought two
hundred and eighty acres Of the best land
for building lots and villa sites IN the sur
roundings of that city. The lots overlook
the bay with It's ever shifting scenes, and
they stand ten or twelve feet higher than
amy of the surrounding ground. The
new electric line from Newport News 10
Hamilton aud Old Point, with ten
minute service. VIII run through their
greatest width. giving rapid transit 10 any
of the places of interest from Newport
News 10 the Government pier at the
nygcia Hotel.
When the great certainties and wonder
ful possibilities of Newport News are con-
sidercd. these lots which the Newport
News Company offer seem to be Splen-
did investment. 4 population of 10000
in five years is among the conservative
predictions. With the largest dry dock
in the world and an expanding ship
ward. working 1900 skilled mechanics.
which turns out such vessels as the FL
Norte and FL Sud, recently launched;
with its present population of about 10
600. and the expansion of many indus
tries. its direct ship lines and great coal
ing facilities, all tend to make this pre-
diction true.
Among the newer improvements is
splendid system OF water-wOrks just put
in use, by which pure drink
ing water is brought by gravity
a distance of twenty miles, with
sufficient fall to give ample pressure
for the fire service; n new depot and
many other fine buildings.
The Newport News Company will build
a number Of houses on their land. and II
is believed that by the end Of the year
they will have every lot sold.