Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-01-14
The Attractions and Industrial
Resources of ROckbridge
County.

Resources of Rockbridge
County.
For The Gaz<fe.
In my article last week brief
mention was made Of some Of the
chief industrial resources Of Rock
bridge, including agriculture,
manufactures, schools and colleges,
and towns and villages. This week
the subject is concluded and en-
braces pleasure resorts, some
industries and a few Of the COM
forts of modern civilization. Min
erals might also be added to the
list. because already the mining II
iron ore has proved u source of
considerable revenue. Tin is
found in certain sections Of the
county and silver in other parts.
SUMMER RESORTS.
Our summer resorts are the
Rockbridge Alum Springs, with a
capacity of furnishing the best up
to-date accommodation for from
eight hundred TO one thousand
guests the Cold Sulphur, which
can furnish ample and luxurious
accommodation for two or three
hundred people ; the Allegheny,
with Its splendid buildings. Of
modern furnishings, has room for
several hundred visitors ; the
Rockbridge Baths and Lithia
Spring. recently purchased by
parties from New York who are
row at work building and repair
ing, 50 that by next season this
delightful resort will be able to
entertain several hundred guests :;
Strickler's Springs, for a century
or more a popular resort for our
farmers and others, where they
can go 10 recuperate and swap
warns and have a good time for a
few weeks the latter part of the
summer. There are other mineral
springs in the county whose waters
have health-giving properties.
The Natural Bridge is now a
popular resort for sight-seers and
admirers Of natural scenery. Two
or three hundred visitors can be
taken care of, who frequent the
place not only in summer, but all
the year round. Large excursions
are run to that point during the
year. All these attractions make
Rockbridge one of the most desira-
bic places to live in this or any
other State.
CANNERIEs.
The canning industry in Rock
bridge has not received the at
tehtion that its Importance de-
mands. In the adjoining county
of Botetourt nun erOus caLncries
are in operation every season and
the profits arising therefrom
amount to thousands Of dollars
annually. There are two canne9ies
in the Alone neighborhoOd which
put on the market superior
quality of goods. One of them
is conducted on the cooperative
plan. A number of farmers who
are interested in the canning
furnish tomatoes ut n given price
and after the products are
marketed the prO-rata profits are
divided. Most of the work is done
by members of their own families
thus insuring the very best service,
BESIDES knowing that only whole
some fruits and vegetables are
put up. One gentleman in the
neighborhood says he has realized
$50 from one acre Of tomatoes.
Other sections of Rockbridge
would do well TO give this subject
careful consideration with Il view
of STIRRING like industries.
MODERN COMFORTS.
Among the modern eon forts to
which the county can lay claim
may be mentioned the service of
three railroads and several express
companies, and thus are enjoyed
superior facilities for shipping
produce and receiving goods,
Several districts, however, are
remote from these accommo da-
tions. but in the production and
shipment, notably Of the dairy and
poultry products, they seem to
lead.
Nearly the whole county il
covered by the telephone system
There are two companies operating
the Lexington Mutual ard the
Rockbridge. The former controls
l3 county lines and a long distance
line. so that easy communication
can be had with the principal
cities. The latter is n local I'm,
in one of the districts. Steps are
now being taken for still another
district line. Besides these there
are several private lines, used
only by the individuals Interested
Five rural mail delivery routes
have been opened in tie county
three from Lexington and tive
from Buena Vista, and it is posi-
bic for every portion of the county
to enjoy this service. With Lex
ington, Buena Vista. Glasgow,
Collierstown and Goshen as
distributing points every family
in Eockbridge could be served
with their mail daily.
We might go into more detail
On several of the subjects named,
but our object is only, as it were,
to take an inventory of our assets
and show our people how we stand
with the rest of the world, and
thus produce and encourage Il
81 irit OF contentment and thank
Il.