Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-02-04
A Review Of Business, Bnildilg
and other events Of 1896.

and other events Of 1896.
Though the business year OF 1896 in Stau
I ton and Augusta cannot be set down as flu.
times, review of the twelve months pr
sents record of which our people may f
the most part. well be proud. Inquiry in
the matter of the volume of local busine
shows that so far from falling off, there il,
been something of an improvement in a
most all trade circles save where affecte
by purely personal or abnormal causes, an
this is remarkable too, in view of the we
recognized policy of the business world !,
check up and shorten its stride in roundin
the turn of the Presidential election year.
When to this condition is snperadded II
stringency Of the money supply, it is see
that our trade being in strong local cond
tions, has powerful motive power, nc
only to withstand general adverse trad
winds. but actually to have made headwa
in the face of them
In the matter of construction of building
notable Improvements have been made
Both in the county and in the city. N
longer is the householder Indifferent to tb
designs of the architect, and it has begun t
be realized that it is not enough to hav
foundation. four walls and roof, but tha
these may be elaborated with pleasing ex
terror lines and that sound system of ar
chitecture combines both beauty and eco
nomic utility. In city and county the home
OF the people are each year handsOmer ani
more commodious. Sanitary conditions ar,
improving every day in the homes, and the
eight by ten window pane is giving way tt
the French plate pane through which the
farmer gazes at his waving fields of grain
and the city dweller decries the dude and
the dame of fashion.
In the county the trim farm house and the
we'll ordered barns and granaries tell OF
thrift and energy. In Staunton building
has gone we'll on, and from one Of her hills
you see built and building ediices showing
that the city is not standing still
The Roman Catholic church on North Au.
gusta street no~ rapidly nearing compile
tion. is one of the handsomest pieces of
ecclesiastical architecture in the city, or for
that matter in the State Reared on proud
eminece it stands stately and structural
figure of green cut stone, each stone cut for
its home, built like watch tower with its
tall and sky piercing shaft. This building
will be alike pride to its congregation and
to the community.
On East Beverly street, opposite the SPEC
TAToR AND v1NDIcAToR, is another public
improvement. which adorns that section of
the city, the Odd Fellows new hall where
is commodious brick, stone trimmed
structure of three stories. The Odd Fellows
Home, three splendid halls and ample
apartments for the needs of the lodges.
The old Armentrout-Haine corner, Bey-
erly and Augusta streets, now since the
demolition of its antiquated rookery, which
however Hospitality harbored the pre-Revo-
lutionary soldiers of Virginia en- route to
the battle of Point Pleasant, is the site of
an imposing business building, 8 storied
brick and stone, built by Mrs. James e.
Marquis.
More observed than any building in the
city is the Masonic Temple, completed dur
ing the past year. If architecture be cor
rectly defined to be 'frozen music" this
splendid structure is certainly symphony
Of color and dress with its massive grace of
buff brick and cut stone. Occu-
pying the old site of the Town Hail." it
rises to proud pre- eminence of five
'to1ies. The first story is given up to three
elegant store rooms, and the second and
'hird floors are used by barristers and busi-
less men for Offices. and here the Supreme
Court holds its sessions. The Masons use
'he other parts of the Temple for various
lodge purposes. All the appointments of
building are modern, up-to-date, and the |
furnishings and appointments go to make |
his temple an edition de luxe of architec- |
ure.
Want OF space prevents mention of other |
improvements in Ssaunton's building |
ircles.
xx*
If there be one thing more than another
n which Staunton justly takes pride it is in
is excellent schools-the splendid female
eminaries, its high schools, business col
eye anu tne city public schools.
by an act OF the last legislature the Au-
usta Female Seminary was permitted to
mango its name to that of the Mary Bald.
Pin Seminary, in honor of Miss Baldwin.
be President, who has to this school given
life time OF love and labor. The present
ears patronage of the Seminary proves the
ornament hold that Miss Bald win and her
orps OF assistants have on those interested
matters educational in Virginia and
throughout the South.
MIS-. j. 4. b. Stuart's Virginia Female
Institute has steadily grown in the favor ,
nd esteem Of friends at home and abroad.
nd an increased patronage of the Institute
,ts the seal Of public approval on this ex
client school, presided over by the widow
Jeb Stuart, and assisted by an able staff
co-adjutors.
AT the Wesleyan Female Institute, which
as for many years enjoyed an extended
atronage second in size to uone, there are ,
'ldences OF renewal of the forces that r
laced the W. F. l. in the forefront of the 9
'uthern female educational work. The c
ev. Dr. ii. M. Hamill and his co-laborers. s
I'VE been rewarded this year by an increas-
attendance.
This year the Dunsmore Business College :
IS its home at the commodious old home =
the Staunton Female Seminary, and Mr.. /
nnsmore has well filled school of young +
en- learning the science of business. v
increased attendance at the Public Schools C
owes at once the growing condition of G
aunton, and the deep hold the city's ..
hools nave on our hearts and homes Com !;
tent critics say these schools are excelled a
none in Virginia, and in matters of we'll
aered buildings and appointments, good Y
sclpllne. and the thoroughness with II
lich Supt. Bader and his excellent corps T
teachers teach their pupils, these schools q
We few equals.
*x* {.