The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-29
LOOKS LIKE BUSINESS.
-Four Mile Strip Of Land Sold 10 River
Front Railroad Company.
WILL BRING THEN & W. TO PORTSMOUTH
Immediate Construction OF tho Con.
mcc,ion Probnbie-Importan De.
vciopmcnts Expected when the
Portsmouth Company sEccss-nis.
toricRI "Reminiscences Recalled.

1t now looks as If actual steps have
begun at last to bring the Norfolk and
Western railroad into this city On
yesterday the Portsmouth company
transferred to the River Frcnt Railroad
company Il strip of land sixty feet wide
and nearly four miles long through It's
property. from the Norfoin ana .,esl-
ern railroad. west of Gilmerton, To the
outskirts OF Portsmouth This latter
company was organized two years ago
TO build this road and $4,000 subscribed
Tor that purpose. The depression in
business has held the york back.
Everything now points 10 It's inme-
date construction and other extensive
improvements along the west bank of
the Southern Branch
fun description was given In yes
terday's Virginian OF the powder maya
ZINE erected by the Government and also
an account Of the Columbia Park
grounds Mt Burtons Point. That por-
ton of this property which surrounds
inc navy-yard Will be soon visited by
Inc naval board as prospective site for
the new armor plant, and 1t Is rumorcd
the survey now being made of 4 part of
this property Is for the purpose of locat-
rlE large industrial pant.
The running of the electric cars to
Burton's Point will cause many hand
some residences to he erected along It's
line, and the building or the Pcnnsyl-
Nanin Railroad Belt Line the River
Frcnt railroad and the extension Of
Elm avenue from Portsmouth to Gil
merton Will make many changes in this
direction In the next -FOUR years.
The large float to be used In trans
1errinE cars from Port Norfolk to Cape
CHARLES. was expected in this harbor on
yesterday from ElizaDethport y. j.,
where 1t was built. AS none of the pres
ent car float docks here will accom-
10 10,
wdli commence at once on the Belt Line.
AS IT has been rumored for the past
year that sufficient stock had been sub
scribed for to build the River Front
railroad so soon MS business justified
Its construction, 1t would now appear
that time has arrived and work will
commence very shortly
The stockholders Of the Portsmouth
company meet In this city OH October
6th ana some important Industrial de-
Vciopments may be expected as the out
come OF this meeting. For over forty
year this property has apparently been
held awaiting the Industrial and COM
merclal development now approaching.
and with which nature has so literally
given the desired advantages Many
of the older residents remember the
starting of the Virginia City Colony, and
the ambitious projects OF It's orlg.nators
BACKED by the desire of Gen. John c.
water terminus of one of the great
transcontlnental lines. The start was
made with n large party OF German and
Swiss immigrants and a large wooden
mill was contemplated. yellow fever
broke out In 1855 and scattered the peo-
PIE, war devastated this section and the
development of the property stood ut 4
standstill until DR.. VIM. Schmole, who
owned u greater portion of the prop
erty now owned by this company in
duced n syndicate or Philadelphia capt.
talists connected with the Norfolk and
Western railroad to buy his and adj
Joining properties. This was done Mt n
cost Of nearly half n million dollars for
two thousand acres OF land ana four
miles OF water front, but alas for hopes
OF immediate development after its pur-
chase. because or business depression
OF the past four years.
Now the time has come and It will
at once be seen from the enterprises
enumerated above that work has begun
In earnest. and much may be expected
In the next three or rOur years. Too
much credit cannot be given DIR. Schmole
Tor MS untirlng energy and devotion in
fostering every project and enterprise
that would bring this property into a
scene Of Industrial and conn crcial ac
tvlty. Indeed, 1t Is doubtful If Tho
owners of the Portsmouth street electri,
railway would have beer able to have
Quilt their road without the encourage
ment and Inducements offered by the
portsmouth company for the establish
ment or Columbia PARK, and many of
the new enterprises now under way Will
owe their starting to the concessions
made by this company and Its individual
stockholders.
II IS TO be hoped the naval board will
be so impressed with the location and
advantages of this property as to put n
quietns on rumors that ii will be nee
essary Tor them to go beyond this mort
10 seek location that they can unani
mously recommend TO Congress as pos
sesshlg all the requirements and all the
s so needed for an ideal location
Tor the armor plate plant.
FOOTBALL
Inc football season In Portsmouth
opens on next SATURDAY. ,ftarro,, -.