The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31

| Fear and Cape Fear and Northern will
open up splendid timber section and
fertile agricultural region of this county.
The new railroads constructed to Raj
eigh have opened up the timber inter
ests of this section so that the manufac-
ture and sale Of lumber here must soon
become one Of our leading industries.
These railroads were first built with the
view only Of hauling out the timber, but
as the timber is hauled out truck and
other farming interests demand that the
roads be equipped for permanent service.
With this road building there must there
fore come to Raleigh new life, increased
business and added prosperity. 1t is to
be hoped that the day is not far distant
when this and other sections of the State
will be honeycombed with these entries
of commerce
The railroad agents here report the
best years business ever known in North
Carolina railroading, with the outlook in
dicating greater gains during the new
year.
j. In the increased value of property.
With the growth of the city and the
improvements Of its streets, there has
been a phenomenal rise in the value OF
real estate. especially in the best bust
ness and residence portions of the city.
Only a few days ago a lot ON Fayette-
vile street sold for $500 a front foot,
and nowhere in Raleigh can real estate
now be purchased for less than about
twice what it would have sold for a few
years ago.
). In the amount of street building and
other improvements
During the year there has been put
dowm nearly three miles of street pave
ment, consisting of granite, brick and
gravel, at a total cost of about $4,000.
About three miles of sidewalks have
been laid, and more is being added every
day. Nearly two miles of streets have
been graded; five miles of curbing set :;
one and one-fourth mile of sewerage and
eight miles of gas mains laid.
The macadam roads leading out Of the
city are being extended, and several iron
bridges have replaced antiquated wood
structures. Another bond issue of $780,
OOO for street Improvement has been
voted with great manimity, and the
work of paving and macadamizing the
streets has been rapidly carried forward
Many miles of granite curbing has been
placed and brick or granolithic pave
ments can be found in all parts Of the
city. Several new nstreets have been
opened up and improved.
q. In the construction of new buildings
residences, business houses and indus
trial establishments.
In thaS respect the past year has been
a recOrd-breaker for Raleigh and a con-
servative estimate places the amount
thus expended at nearly 81 600 900.
Several notable buildings have been
erected.
The Capital Club building was com
pleted at the beginning Of this year.
The Tucker building probably the fin
est office building in the State, of cream
colored brick, five stories high, and con
tanning two elegant stores and NEARLY
one hundred offices, has been finished
and furnished in the best STYLE
The Olivia Raney Public Library build
ing, now being erected near the Confed-
crate monument.
The First Presbyterian church nearly
completed
The Church of the Good Shepherd,
0IpiscopaD which will be one Of the fin
est church properties in the State.
The completion and opening of the
Baptist Female University, already fill
cd with young ladies.
The beginning of work on the handsome
office building for the North Carolina
Home Insurance Company. on Fayette-
vile street The annex to the Agricultur-
al building, for use as mlrseum. A
costly dry goods store building TO be
erected ON the lot next TO the Tucker
building.
The establishment of a textile depart
ment at the Agricultural and Mechanical
College. and its increased prosperity
The location in Raleigh Of the Metho-
dist Orphanage and Ministers Home.
The Roman Catholic Home for boys,
and an industrial school.
These improvements mark the activity
in building and the prosperity of the city.
1t is a noteworthy fact that many of the
more substantial improvements have been