Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-01-12
PLAN FOR IMPROVING
THE Y. NJ. |. GROUNDS
To Further Enlarge and Beautify
the Parade Grounds
Mr.. MANNING MAKES REPORT
Suggestion for Riding School and
Location of Lakes

tinguished landscape designer Of
Boston who recently visited the
Virginia Military Institute for the
purpose of suggesting plans for the
enlargement of the parade grounds
and other improvements to the
grounds of the Institute, has sub
mitted his report to General Edward
W. Nichols, the superintendent.
The report is quite elaborate and
is accompanied by large map of
the grounds, together with a por-
ton of the Washington and Lee
grounds and certain sections of the
town, particularly along the rail-
road front extending to the depot.
The plans provide for the enlarge
ment of the parade grounds west
ward, towards the New Market
cemetery, and making the parade
grounds in the form OF an ellipse,
with one end near the south corner
OF the barracks and the other near
the Cadet cemetery. This plan will
necessitate the removal of the sup
erintendent house and possibly
that of the commandant. TIE en-
largement will increase the size from
5.S acres to 1913 acres.
Mr.. Manning also suggests fur
Their improvement of the grounds
by the construction of road ways
leading to the town in rear of the
Washington and Lee University
buildings, and ending at the depot.
His drawings provide for broad
boulevards between these two
points which would open up very
desirable residence lots. At the
depot he sugg ISIS that the open
space be made into an oval planted
with trees and flowers.
With reference to the situation of
Lexington Mr.. Manning gives the
following fine description:
THE REGION
Lexington is in the Valley OF Vir-
ginia that lies between the Blue and
Smoky Mountain ranges on the east,
the Shenandoah, Allegheny, and
Cumberland ranges on the west. 1t
is a highway passage that offers the
greatest scenic splendors in this
part of our contiEent,an that leads
directly from the densely populated
city, lake and mountain region of
western New England, of New York,
and Pennsylvania, through western
Maryland. Virginia, and North Car
DINA, to the gulf coast states,
Through this valley parallel rail-
roads pass to great junction points
Harrisburg, 200 miles north and
Knoxville 200 miles south of the
town. Lexington is also close to
the direct east and west mountain
pass connecting the North River
branch of the James River, through
its valley from Hampton Roads on
the Atlantic, with the Kanawha,
Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers to the
gulf. Furthermore, the tow is at
the centre of a region containing
many natural features of great dis
tinction. the Natural Bridge Gosh
en- Pass, and Luray Caverns, many
thermal and medicinal springs, and
there are so many great events and
great men associated with the reg
ion that it will always be a place of
pilgrimage for an ever-increasing
number of people.
THE TOWN
A town with an elevation of 1000
feet thus located at strategic point
of great natural beauty and histc rio
interest, with a mild climate and
fertile soil, of easy access to great
cities at all points of the compass,
and with the social refnements and
delightful personalities of a college
town, should become place of resi-
dence for persons of means and re-
FL ement desiring estates where
they can escape the rigors of north
ern winters and the heat of south
ern summers. This it will be If the
town will recognize, make we'll
known, and attractively accessible.