The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-09-28
ORPHANS HONE.

DAYS. men the city laQ recovered
from this calamity and was built UP
in more beautiful anvl substantial style
than ever, Il devastating fire nearly de
stroyed it III November, 1880. Its en-
terprising citizens We're not uismayed,
however, and the city was soon rebuilt.
In August, 1899, it was injured COM
mercially to great extent by the Bra
Zo> flood in which rich farming lands
having an area of 1,3SO,OOO acres were
submerged for eight days to Il depth of
two to twenty feet. The loss as est
mated by the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture was $7,414,OO0.
The city has triumphed over all these
universities and will doubtless arise
with increased strength from the pres
'ent appalling disaster, for it is the
greatest seaport OF tie South. being
connected with the entire railway Sys~
tenn OF the United States and Mexico
and having direct lines of steamship
communication with all the great ports
OF the world. 1t is the largest cotton
exporting point in the United States
and among the III foreign exporting
points in the country it holds fifth
place. During the year 1893 its exports
increased SlU,:WO.NNO and it's export and
import trade is now fully 500. ONO. 900 4
year.
HarbOr improvements.
\ leading cause OF the tity'S great
commercial progress during the past
few years is the 7Etrhor improvements
made by the national government. in
Holving an expenditure Of over $4,000
600. III 1888 the depth OF the channel
over the bar was only twcnty-onc feet.
By the construction Of jetticS and other
improvements which were finished in
january, 1898, the depth was Increased
to tWenty-cight feet and is still incre:,S-
ing at the rate of six inches each wear
owing to the action of the wind and
tide. This depth of water permits ;lc
largest steamers to load and unluad ut
the WharVeS. In addition to being the
country's greatest cotton port, immense
quantities Of grain, lumber, live stock
and dairy products are sent through
\'NA' >'oNoA' VA s''.h ~ tilt gram IfDni
Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and the d.
kotas, which formerly went to Eastern
ports for shipment now goes to Calves
ton because the shippers can save in
charges by loading at that port. The
lumber exports in 1889 amounted TO
$1,247 ,914 and in 1899, the port handled
$20O,OOO worth Of eggs. It's trade in
live stock, dairy products and poultry
has developed rapidly since the harbor
improvements.
Location and Descriptions
Galveston is situated on the northeast
extremity Of Galveston Island ut the
mouth of Galveston Bay, the entrance
to which is through the channel be-
tween the city and the southwest point
Of the peninsula Of Bolivar. The island
is tWcnty-scven miles long. runs north
east and southwest. and is from one
and one-half to three and one-half miles
wide Where the city is built it is one
and one-half miles wide. 1t is inter-
Sected With many small bayous and
bordered through it's whole length on
the gulf side by a smooth, hard beach,
forming 4 splendid drive and unsur-
passed bathing. On this beach is the
magnificent Sea Beach Hotel. The
streets Of the city are but few feet
above the level Of the bay. They are