The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-16
The Busy Little College
Town Thriving as
Never Before
DOUBLES SIZE
IN TEN YEARS
Twice as Many Occupied DWELL
ings Now as Decade Ago.
Railroad and Telephone As
ford Means of TranspOrta-
ton and Communication.
Excellent Schools.

Especial o. The Times Dispstoh.I
BLACKSBURC. VA december H.
Blacksburs was founded in 17ss by the
Virginia Assembly on petition OF VIII
liam Black and others. being named in
honor OF IT'S founder whose descendants
have been closely identified with the
history or the town ever since. From
that date unll within few years OF it's
hundrcdth birthday tho progress Of the
town differed rttis from that az any
other country vi.aKe. The population
Increased slowly. money was scarce. and
there was no rai!road.>the nearest depor
being Christansburg. seven miles dis
tant- Perhaps 10 was on this account
that Blacksourg escaped the boom fever,
which swept over Southwest Virginia.
bringing financial ruin to many and
wealth TO few. The capital invested in
the town. therefore. Is mainly controlled
10y citizens of the town and Montgom-
cry county.
Natural Advantages.
Biacksburg is situated in the heart OF
Montgomery county. seven miles from
the county seat. and connected viii, the
Nortolk and Western Railway at that
point by the Virginia Anthracite Rail-
road This road. operated by the An
thracite Coal Company was openod f,r
traffic two years ago. and is playing good
dividends TO its stockhoiders Three pas
S.,i-tf trains each way are run daily.
at carrying mani. The Nfrvfnia ana
tennessee Telephone COMPANY onerntas
line direct into the Western Union Of
lice az Christiausburg and there IS "A
long-distance telephone connection with
te chief cities OF Virginia The Tide
water road crosses the Anthracite three
miles distant from tho town, and when
completed wl anrri additional facilities
FOR passenger and freight traffic The
country around is one o. the richest In
farming and mineral lands in tile State.
nearly every variety q agricultural r.o-
ducts are grown, heavy shipments Of
STOCK are made every year. and the
local market is always good Coal OF
an kinds is 20 be had al several mines
within few miles OF the town. and is
sold TO the consumer direct at a reason
able price. The water supply is purs
limestone. and there are a number az
mineral springs near by. The Yellow Sui
pnur, ono of the most popular summer
resorts in the State. is throe miles dis
tant. and during the seas3r It is quite
popular recreation TO drivs over there
for the evening.
Mercantile Houses.
Ten stores do "a thriving business in the
town of these six handle dry goods AM
groceries. one furniture exclusively one
hardware. one mems furnishing goods
and drug store. recently installed in q
modern three-stOrv building The -ner-
chants an report an exceHsrt trade fo-
the present year. and several os them viii
enlarge their quarters in 1897.
The Blacksbnrs Tower and supply Com
pNHs' recently organized with a capital
stock OF $1,000. Will be in shape TO begin
business IN January. The stock IN This
company is held by some OF the strong-
est business men OF thu county and
AIS success is assured. They will fu,-
uish electric lights for the town which,
nave been supplied heretofore from, the
college lighting plant. Their ice plant viii
ne IN operation early this spr1na ard
tiey propose 10 Install a complete s,,s-
tenn or water works for the town. Th-v
VIII carry on. IN addition. a general mill
ing and supply business. sometime en-,
the farmers OF this section have neeaeS
n'dly Tor some time. The Biackshur~
/ supply Company has been in operation
] Tor some time. and has done an az
| 'e'lent business in lumber and building
/ materials
Churches and Schools.
SIX denominations are represented her.
me fresoyterian and Baptists have re-
"'F punt handsome houses of vvo--
snip. the Mcthodists have one under ~
tN' Luther Memorial Church liz NV,
ftrauVely new. and the Episcopalians ar,
Planning e. enlarge ther present build-
ing Ine public school Is ln a aourfsbi,s-
'"ndluon. occupying modern buii5ine,
recently completed. with prfacipal ana
four assistants.
ihe Biacksnurg Inn was renodsfad saw
| 'fai years ago. and und-r efici.n+ MAJ,
asement OF Air Bruce Tutuyiier r,- ~.
increasing patron both transient ana
permanent There is also an ,vcail.,.
y r. >eister --''
Progress in Ten Years.
The number of houses On the town bav.
n"''} NOT doubled $40 the last tao
years. Much of wha- was then cuif-
Nt.et he'as U.s. now buit up ia dwelling
INuses aN OF which aye occupied cev-
ci.I now store buildings have been sre.,-
ea. With office rooms ON tho upper floors
ta" Bank OF Biackshure has trable4 lfs
business. aud IS now located iu a burglar
proof building a weekly newspaper has
been established. The number OF pfo-
fes~ional men has increased. ana there
has been De- notable Improvement ln the
volume of business along ali lines
hlac1sourg VIII always b. of interest
% tle people o. Virginia. since The VIZ
slnia Polytechnic Institute is located hero
With the steady growth OF this great
school. there can BE- no steps bac ke,ard r.
tnc progress OF the town Combining
with This fast ITS location at The Eafe-
way of tae rich Southwest section ~ he
state and IT'S great natural advantages.
lie future % The town 10 assured