Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-04-19
OUR FUTURE PROSPECTS.

W ICll Il1e GlUl6S were st Pal dUt iuulICI-
paliteS s aEs
OUR FUTURE PROSPECTS.
Now that Grand Rapids has taken a
jumpin the population Of nearly 5000
souls by anneXing Centralia to its
territory, the outside world begins to
look upon US with more favor and we
are not only being to Il about in our
own state, but our action has been
noticed in nearly every state in the
union. We have received letters of
congratulation from people living in
the extreme western, southern and
eastern portions of the United States,
and they are all of the opinion that it
will not be long before Grand Rapids
will be numbered among the leading
cities of Wisconsin.
Capitalists have heretofore heSi-
tated in locating here because of the
feeling that the two cities were not
working in harmony, and besides this,
they have not cared to be obliged 10
pay taxes to two separate municipal
tiles on dam crossing the river.
Under consolidation we will have
one government, will have eight wards,
four on each side of the river. Our
business men have capital invested on
Hi. sides of the iver and it is hardly
1'ceSSary to state they Will work for
tile best interests Of the city at large.
OUR WATER POWER.
The Wisconsin river affords the city
Of Grand Rapids water power that is
second to none in the state, and it is
located right in the heart of the city.
We have in this power a natural fall
of about twenty-five feet and it has
been estimated that it will furnish at
least 1000 horse power.
The water-pOwer in question is
owned by individuals and has been
under litigation many years, but we
have it from the best Of aut hOrity that
settlement will soon be made,
whereby the whole power will come
into the hands Of some one individual.
When this takes place it will be either
developed by a home company or
eastern capital Will be induced to
come here and take hold of the matter
When they do build dam across the
river, thousands and thousands of
dollars Will be invested and that one
project alone will increase our pOpula
tiOn several thousand.
We have more natural resources
here than has any other city in the
state and it is only matter Of short
time when outside capital will come
here and take advantage of these
opportunities.
OUR RAILROAD PROSPECTS.
Our prospects for new rail road
seem to look brighter every season,
and the authority by which we speak
is Of the best, that it will not be long
before short line from Milwaukee
will come this way and connect with
the Marshfield and Southeastern at
this point. In such an event the city
of Grand Rapids will be greatly bene-
fitted thereby and The result will be
that another few hundred will be
added to our population.
A short line will certainly be built
from Milwaukee north, and the
chances are almost certain that the
line will pass through this city.
THE ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
Since the organization of the Wis
cOnsin Valley Advancement associa-
tiOn, northern Wisconsin has been
receiving much notice from the news
papers and especially from your most
excellent paper, and [ am certain that
the citizens in general appreciate your
efforts in that line. This association
has done wonderful work in advancing
the interests of the entire Wisconsin
River valley. They have now listed
about 5000 acres of land and agents
in foreign countries inducing settlers
to come and locate along this valley.
Wood opIpty hos ~ 1, +,
list sonnet thing like 5000 acres. of
which there can be found no better
farming lands anywhere. [ am of the
opinion that the future prospects Of
the Wisconsin valley are of the bright
est and | am also pleased to note that
Milwaukee is taking so much interest
in our welfare.
The matter of building an electric
road from NekOOSa to Eagle River is
meeting with much endorsement and
we all hope that the project will be
carried out, as it would be decided
benefit to every city on its line and
and would no doubt prove paying
investment.
GOOD ROADS.
The matter of good roads will be a
question of much thought and con-
sideration by our citizens for the
future. The east side of the CITY OF
Grand Rapids has some splendid mara-
dam streets and will soon begin on the
west side streets. Cranberry street
from the bridge to the Milwaukee
depot will be macadamiZed this sum-
mer, so that in short time we will
have some desira BILE thoroughfares.
1t is now the intention to Cooperate
wi>n the surrounding towns tOextend
the macadam roads into the country
so that farmers will have easier access
to the city when bringing in heavy
loads. OF course, all these improve
ments will not be made at once. but
we will gradually come to them.
A CITY PARK.
In the course of few years. the
city of Grand Rapids will undoubtedly
he happy in the possession of a public
park. Some very desirable property
for such purposes lies along the banks
of the Wisconsin river at this point. in
fact there are several spots that are
noted for their beauty and
picture>queneSs
THE EDITORS TO VISIT Us.
In July next the Wisconsin Press as
SOciatiOn will pay visit to the Wis.
cOnSin valley and when they stop here
they may be assured that no stone will
be left unturned to entertain them in
a royal manner. Preparations will
soon begin for their entertainment and
we will exert our best endeavors tC
give them Il time which they will long
remember with a feeling of pleasure.