The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-01
CLIFTON FORGE.
Step Lively to the March of
Progress.
lspecial to The Times-Dlsphtch.)

III
CLIFTON FORGE. VA, December 81
The close % the present year finds the
town OF Clifton Forge far advanced IN
every particular over conditions a. inc
end OF 1904. AT the beginning OF 1905 the
Impression prevailed that Clifton Forge
would continue 10 grow, but the most
optimistic citizen had no idea that the
handsome buildings erected here this year
were so near at hand
Messrs. ]. C. Carpenter and w. W..
Boxley completed their handsome build
ing which runs through from Main to
Ridgeway Streets. This building would
do credit 10, any city. being modern IN
every way. The First National Bank has
only recently moved into this handsome
structure. This building cost at least
$500
The Allegheny Construction Company
has about completed a $4,000 business
block on Ridgeway Street. the entire
Building having been rented before the
foundation was laid. The Merchants and
Mechanics Bank is located in this build
ing and is handsomely fitted UP.
The new Masonic Temple IL under roof.
and only the inside work remains TO
complete 1T. The street floor will he used
as an Opera House. with the Masonic
lodge roo1a on the top floor. This building
Adjoining ii is handsome store. being
erected by Mr.. j. C. Carpenter. Both Of
these buildings are on Main Street. near
those above mentioned. Mr.. Carpenter lis
completing a handsome Office building on
Commercial Avenue at q cost of several
thousand dl.ldrs
In addition to these improvements the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Will occu-
ply its new office building located near
Gladys Inn. This building will be occu-
pied by the superintendent and his as
sistants located here. Heretofore the
office force has been located in West
Clifton, about mile from the business
center,
All OF these new structures are equipped
with steam heat and add thousands Of
dollars to the taxable values of the town.
| There is sonA talk here at present
! OF annexing West Clifton to Clifton Forge
| and converting the two into a city. 1t
| Is believed by not few citizens that
the necessary 5000 population cannot be
| found, but those who favor city charter
claim that there are more than 5000 peo-
| pie here. The census is now being taken
| by authority of the two towns
| Besides the business buildings that have
been erected, q large number OF private
residences have been constructed and nu-
| merous old ones have been improved.
Il
! But the most notable improvement has
been the laying OF several miles OF gran
olithc sidewalks in Clifton Forge and
/ West Clifton. These improvements are
commented upon by all strangers who
| visit the town.
There have been no failures here this
year, and the merchants have enjoyed 4
prosperous year. Clifton Forge has a
wholesale grocery, is lighted UP by cleo
! trio lights. has the finest water system
of any town In the State. an ice plant,
a wooden mill and other industries. In adj
dition to the Chesapeake and Ohio shops.
The town can also boast OF daily news
paper.
The monthly pay rool of the Chesapeake
and Ohio is now estimated at $4,000 or
$4,000, and yet there is room for new
men to find work.
The First National Bank and the N1er-
chants and Mechanics Bank afford the
people OF this section ample banking ia
| clities.
If the coming year smiles upon the peo-
pie here the same as 1905, then they
will be supremely happy. They are happy
| as 1t is, but of course in this world the
people are always hoping and working to
make the future excel the past, and this
is true of Clifton Forge.