Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-07-18
Correspondents az fas Bsaeon.)
zsehauiesyslls % oslryille, via laurel Grove.

Msehauicsvllls % oslrvslle, via Laurel Grcvs.
Messrs. Editors .--AIfhough have been
constant reader Of your paper for the
past twenty years, I have seen but little
mention Of the section OF county covered
under the above title, and ye. II i true that
there Is nc section or pat o< our county
which II possessed with more natural beau
ties and advantages than the county lying
between Mechanicaville. which is at pres
ent the terminus Of the Washington and
Potomac r. R., and by far the most hand.
some village in St MarY's, and the quaint
old village Of Oakvilie, which is probably
better known for lis age than progress.
The Three Notched Road. which leads di.
rectly from one of those towns to the other,
lies Just on the ridge be.ween the Patuxen,
and Potomac rivers, and nearly all along
its line the waters that fall on one side Of
said road 60 70 the Potomac, while that
which alights on the other side goes 70 the
Patuxent river. This section being on the
highest elevation Of our county is exceed
inglY healthy. The water 10 Of the best,
and as rays Of the midday sun falls upon
my table the mention of water makes my
lips long for sip Of the pure, clear, spark
ling health giving fiuil which abounds in
the many springs as well as farm wells
along this route. The distance from one
town TO the other IN z miles, through as fine
country for the production Of fruits and
early vegetables as Southern Maryland
can boast Of, the lands being soft and loamy,
some of which mar well be called sandy.
II il easily improved, and wherever man
has done his part to feed the soil, IL in re-
turn has paid him handsomely by feeding
him not only with life's comforts, but luxu-
ries as well. TIE roads are always good,
lying directly on The ridge, for little water
lays on them, and judging from the num-
Der of young men who come from remote
portions Of the comfy 20 enjoy ride over
them on Sunday evenings with their sweet
hearts, there mus be some enchantment
about them that have not mentioned.
There are along this beautiful thorough
fare several prominent business places,
among which we mention HowaId's Race.
There are at this place two places of bust
ness. one general store owned by Turner
Bros. and the other q millinery store and
dress making establishment owned by Mrs.
Mary +. Hopkins, both of which do q
thriving business. Next we find the vii
lage Of Laurel Grove, which is located AZ
miles south east { Mechanicsville and di-
rect on the line. 1t is about 900 feet above
the level of the Patuxent river. II is very
healthy and generally free from the pests
known as mosquitoes. There are three gen.
eral stores, one steam saw and grist mill, sew
eral prominent business places and neat
little church and cemetery. Some hand
some residences adorn the place, which
show q spirit Of enterprise and thrift. The
home of Mr.. John McGinly is a handsome
one, surrounded by beautiful lawn and
flower garden, and the whitewash brush,
which is now being welded by brawny
hand, lends enchantment to the scene. The
residence of Mr.. ]. w. Latham is among
the most handsome in our county, beauti-
fully and artistically planned, with large
lawn, which is thickly shaded with maple,
aspen, red wood and other beautiful yard
and ornamental trees. The home Of Mr.. J.
w. Graves Is also quite an imposing one,
which is now being beautified with new
fencing, &c. Mr.. G. w. L. Buckler IL also
adding TO his handsome place In TIE shape
of new fencing, new roofs and other i'm
provements. This place would be one Of
the best in ST. Mary's for a shoe factory,
canning establishment or Touring mill. It
is within easy reach of transportation by
water and the w. & p. r. r., which is to
be extended a distance of 10 miles this
year, runs directly through the place. As
site for town, none could offer more
inducements than this. There are vacant
building lots ohtainable at reasonable
prices. With the addition of few men of
thrift and enterprise-such as the johnson
Bros, of MorganZa, who have just COM
pleted magnificent Touring mill-Laurel
Grove would soon become the banner town
of St. Mary's. A mile and a-half further
we find the property of Hon. John N
Graves, upon which is business place do
ing thriving business. Mr.. Graves place
is adorned by q new and handsome dwell
ling, good out-houses and beautiful or.
chard OF apples, peaches and pears of the
best varieties obtainable. One mile fur.
Their on and we are at the terminus of our
route, Oakville, about which we will pro-
baby write in our next. It suffices us for
the present TO say that they want Q saw
mill. PAssER BIZ.