The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-07-14
Norfolk and Ocean View R.R.

This road was originally built in 1879
as q narrow Euage steam road, Il dis
tance of nine miles from Norfolk to It's
terminus Ocean View. In 1895 It was
changed to the standard Euagc and its
motive power from steam to electricity
giving 1t the most complete electric sys-
TEN In the South, and q perfect passcn-
ger service of modern equipment, includ-
ing cxcellcntsopen coaches and reclining
chair cars. It's equipment Of passenger
cars consists of nineteen coaches open
and closed and It's freight service is
amply supplied with freight cars The
road has constantly grown In favor with
the Norfolk public and as a evidence Of
its popularity may be cited that during
the year Of 1896 it carried over lis road
3Gi 600 passengers.
The territory traversed by the road
is through the far famed trucking dis
trict Of Virginia adjacent to Norfolk,
from which II derives its principal
freight business. During 1896 the road
handled 1896 carloads Of freight. 1872
carloads being of garden truck cxclu-
sively. -
Trains leave Norfolk and Ocean View
every thirty minutes, connecting with
the Norfolk and WillouShby Spit r. r..
for Old Point Com fort, making the trip
frolh Norfolk to Old Point in forty min
utcS: H
The officers of the road are: o. En-
, ),
Superintendent; c. e. norton, auditor
and Cole & Shuitice, attorneys
In 1898 the company improved its ter
minal property at Ocean View which
lies directly opposite the far famed Old
Point Comfort by the erection Of IL fine
hotel with accommodations for 4OC
guests.
The hotel is reptile With every comfort
known to a modern hosiery, and is one
of the most popular health and plea
sure resorts on the coast. The mans
aSemcnt OF the hotel is under the Ill
rcction Of Mr.. Chas st. John. who has
had n wide experience in the mana Te-
mcnt Of hotels, and is determined dur
Ing the coming season to give his pm
irons hotel surpassed by none. The
bathing here is unique and unrivallcd.
1t Is absolutely safe and women and
children can enjoy the bath with per
feet impunity from wearying effects OF
heavy seas or dangerous undcrto1y
The beach is vast in extent, lis slope
and hills level. almost velvc.y floor an
proaches perfection rs near as may be
in this direction.
0. I,M MESSON SMITH
Mr.. 0. Em,ncrson Smith, the receiver
of the Norfolk and Ocean View r r. is
4 native Of Portsmouth. Va, q son of
tho late O. V. Smith, and was born Feb
ruary 1lth. 1863. He was educated at
the Lnhigh University and at the Uni
verslty of Virginia.
After leaving the University in 1890.
he became manager OF the Citizens
Electric and Power company, Of Ports
mouth, which position he held until
1892, when he went to Columbus, Ohio,
to practice his profession. that OF con
su;ing and contracting engineer Iii
1893 he was one Of the Judges Of awards
in the machinery department at the
Worlds Fair, Chicago Upon the death
-f I, 80. eos y, Il
mouth, and entered into the lumber bus
mess, engaging in the building of the
Norfolk and Camden r. r.. road Is
miles LONG, which WAS used I'm connec-
ton with the lumber business. In 1896
| he was appointed receiver of the Norfolk
Il Ocean View X r.. still remaining
president OF the Norfolk & Carolina X
r. Besides these enterprises, Mr.. Smith
is interested In other enterprises OF an
industrial character