The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-18


is fit term for the town of Elizabeth
City Isolated in part by the
fact that no railroad extends
to the central east linking
the town with the trunk lines passing
through the State, this great distributing
point of some ten or a dozen counties, is
Western North Carolina. And yet, her
growth is most marvellous, her advant-
ages second to none in the whole eastern
belt. Her story, graphically told would
reveal much and startle those who have
grown to regard the town as a little
village away off in Northeast Carolina, of
little Importance, and few advantages.
Elizabeth City is reached by boat
from Newbern, and by boat and rail
from Norfolk-the Carolina town of Nir-
ginia. The town is situated in the Abe
marie belt, noted for it's fertile fields,
prolific rivers and sounds, a veritable
smoke house filled with meats sufficient
for millions of sturdy men and beautiful
women. The town is built on a level
plain just overlooking Pasquotank river
which empties into Albemarle Sound,
eighteen miles distant. Large steamers
visit her harbor and with the advan-
tages OF the Norfolk and Southern Rail-
road affords splendid transportation fa-
cilities Her people are cultured and
given to industrial pursuits. Few towns
in the State present more city-lilSe APP
pearance. Nearly all her streets are shell
paved, one is paved with stones, and all
affords splendid drives. Her mercantile
houses and residence property are modern
in design and architectural finish and
many of them would be a credit to the
larger towns of the State. Fourth in the
State in point of wealth and Importance,
Elizabeth City is already a great distri-
buting point, and its field will widen as
the days pass There is thrift on every
hand Some twenty-five new resi-
dences are going up, principally
on Main street, aggregating over $50 600
in value In other communities these
same buildings would represent 100000
or more in value Besides, scattered
throughout the city are a number of new
buildings being erected and plans are
drawn and contracts being let continually
Two handsome store houses have just
been completed at cost of $4,000, fac
tories are being enlarged and the capacity
OF number of enterprises being doubled
Among recent additions is noticed new
marine railway or ship-yard. Machinery
is now on the spot for a new ice factory
and storage plant.
1t is claimed that not less than a hun
dred and fifty new buildings have been
erected within the past year There are
within the town limits % residences, cost
ing from 81 600 to $4,000; 800 residences,
costing 5000 to 81 900; IS residences cost
ing less than $500. Besides there are 119
mercantile houses. II brick and AZ frame
buildings IS churches. schools, 80 mills
and factories, including oyster houses,
making grand total of 1921.
FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS. AND
IT is HELD THAT FIGURES
DO NOT LIE.
The population of Elizabeth City
in 1880, was 1000, in 1890,
1866; in 1899, $500; in 1900, 6,67S; in 1901.
5000; showing growth of 400 per cent
in twenty years or 300 per cent in ten
years.
TOWN LOTS RETURNED FOR TAXA
TION AND THEIR VALUE.
In the year 1885, sos. Value IS 270 oe5
In the year 1890 694 Value. =. 405 S3G
In the year 1897, 500. Value -. $4,000
In the year 1901, SS3. Value j. 81 ,023 $50
Net increase in ten years in number of
lots nearly 300 ger cent, and in value OF
same of more than $50 per cent.
YET ANOTHER STARTLER, BUT IT'S A
CONDITION AND NOT A THEORY
THAT CONFRONTS US. VALUE
REAL AND PERSONAL
PROPERTY