Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-26
NEW DAyyILLE DEPOT.

For thirty years we have been INDUCING
the hope that the Richmond anc DanviIH
Railroad Company (now the Southern
Railway Company would provide itself
with a new passenger-depot here.
In that time great changes have taken
place in the road. The company Itself
has undergone reorganization several
times and, by the acquisition OF the
Midland railroad, a large portion OF the
through travel which once came through
Richmond is now taken through Lynch
burg. But the passenger business OF the
road is stin important, and there is good
reason to believe that with proper ef-
forts. il may DO increased.
From the passenger-depot here trains
start out not only for Danvllle and inter
mediate stations, but for West Point,
Va, and the patrons OF tho lire have long
felt that they were entitled 10 better de-
pot accommodations than have been
given them. 1T is also q fact that the
depot-bulldings here are SO secluded and
isolated that strangers find it difficult to
reach them without personal guidance.
1t is n common thing for persons who
are not well-acqua!Eted WITH Richmond
localities to stop at the Dispatch office
and ask for directions for reaching the
Danyille depot. And we find it difficult
10 direct them how to reach it, 50 hidden
away is 1t from great thoroughfares; but,
81 the present plano Of the company
should be carried out, a location viii be
adopted which viii be convenient Of ac-
cess.
The site chosen is on the property OF
the company at the southwestern corner
of Fourteenth and Mil streets. Four
teenth street is the thoroughfaro leading
from Main street TO Mayo's bridge. Mil
street is south of Cary, and runs parable
Herewith. The old name abides with
the street, though the mill has long since
disappeared. We are not certain whe-
ther the name when conferred indicated
that the street led to HaXalrs Mills {be-
fore the construction of the dock and
connections), or attached because the
street led to the mill which formerly
stood on the north bank of the canal, OPP
posite-or, rather, back of--Shockoe Ware
house.
The latter mill. we think, was built for
saving logs. and was run by the waste
OF water from the Gallego Mills. IL
was rebuilt, in part-a turbine water
wheel having been put in. instead Of the
old overshot Thereafter it was used as
n mill for grinding corn and plaster. and
Il was the predecessor, so TO speak. OF
the mill now operated by Warner Moore
d. CO. on the south side of the dock.
If we are correctly advised as to the
purposes of the Southern Railway Com
pany. Fourteenth street will be widen
ed opposite the new passenger-station
and building will be erected which will
be a credit 10 the company; which will
afford all the accommodations and con
veniences that could be asked for. and
which Will prove TO be great improve
ment TO that section OF the city.
We would much rather the South
ern Company would enter into arrange
ments 10 use the Main-street depot. in
common with the Chesapeake and Ohio
and Carolina roads: but, viewed from its
own standpoint. we can see why il
shicld lie considered desirable for II 10
lie the sole owner and controller of its
passenger-station.
Both Of the new passenger-depots are
TO bo erected downtown; in the sec.
tion OF the city not far from the line OF
Shockoe creek, and It is worth noting that
that IS q portion OF the city that has SUI
fsred very much, indeed, from the ten.
dercy OF businessmen 10 move uptown
Tho result has been a considerable de.
crease In property values IN tho past ten
or twenty years. But. with the build
ing of two handsome passenger depots
there Is every reason TO believe turn
in tho tide will come. and that. instead
OF property-vaues decreasing further
hepcsfcrth they will show an increase
Around each OF the depots new business
enterprises will gather, and houses and
lots now little IN demand will be sought
by many firms In the legislation which
may be necessary 10 set these enterprises
on foot the support OF the whole com
manity. but especially that of downtown
people, should be given chesrfuIly.
Though tho delays thst have occurred
In granting the franchises for the Main
street depot are discouraging. we do not
permit ourselves to doubt that the voice
Of tbs peopie win DO uttered. through
the city Council, ana that before long
bui'hiDg operations WIN be begun s'
We do not KNOW what II any. copces.