The Washington herald., 1912-03-11
BY NJ. F. LEWIS.

Staunton, Va, March le. 1919.
Staunton is city OF about Eco in
habitants;, and is located in the middle OF
the great Shenandoah Valley, which is
so justly famed in song and story for its
beauty. 1t is thrifty. substantial. and
beautifully picturesque, with the Blue
Ridge to the eastward and the outlying
ridges OF the Allegheny 10 the westward.
Situated at an elevation of 80 feet
above sea level, at alT times gives II that
bracing air so conducive 10 physical
ccmfort-a pleasant and equable climate
and splendid water supply. ~
II is a city of beautiful homes, hand
some churches. well-paved streets, and
TO section OF the country affords more
beautiful macadam roads for automobii-
ing and through a greater variety Of
scenery. - o.. -. .-
For a city of its size -Staunton is IN
deed metropolitan. A large electric sign
at the depot. which reads, Come 70
Staunton,'' extends a welcome to all who
come here. The merchants are cnterpr!s-
ing and of the big city sort. Large,
and give the city the great white way
appearance after dark A street car line
and the frequent appearance OF uni
formed police. officer adds greatly 10 the
metropolitan instincts of a progressive
city. ...
StnuntOn's Hospitality.
Virginia people are famed for their old
fashioned hospitality. but the greeting
which struck me when my train rolled
into the depot at Staunton showed that
while other valley towns might have the
same kind of old-fashioned hospitality
that is found in this place, Staunton was
way ahead on new-fashioned hospitality.
Just across from the station in brilliant
letters a big electric sign reading: Come
TO Staunton," made me feel that l. was,
really welcome.
The wide-aYake. hustling cities Of the
West welcome strangers in this way, but
TO find this hearty, modern greeting in
an old, old Valley OF Virginia town was
as pleasing as surprising
Hotels, restaurants cafes, theaters. and
others had large and attractive signs Of
both constant and flashing type. 1 was
interested 4 to learn that these sign let
ters, flashes and complete signs were
made by a local firm, the Electric Supply
Company, and that this company vas
making these letters for shipment to other
States in successful competition with the
large Eastern and Western sign manu-
racturers. e. ..---.. -...-.- i
Staunton's Main street is attractive at
night with many brilliant show windows.
The local electric company Is the Staun-
ton Lighting Company, and the recent
installation of a modern steam turbine
makes their plant one of the best in the
State. They have duplicate machinery Of
every kind required so as TO safeguard
their customers They have brought their
plant and service TO an unusually high
point of efficiency.
Lighting Rate Low.
While the lighting rate in Staunton is
among the lowest in the State, the rate
for electric power is. as far as can be
determined, one of the very lowest in
the whole South. a fat rate of thirty
dollars per horsepower per year for large
motor service for all the regular work
ing days in the year compares favorably
with the water power rates of the big
Southern Power corporation.
II is a fact that these low rates have
noI been unappreciated. The few stacks
left in Staunton tell the story. Since
the present company put in its new
equipment a year ago and began sup
plying the kind OF current best suited
for power purposes there have been in
trio motors aggregating over 300 horse
power.
These motors are used in grist and
planning mills, laundries, shops, and
everywhere machines are to be turned.
With these low power rates, with one of
the best modern plants and three phase
motor current TO offer the manufacturer
Staunton is in position, to attract such
enterprises.
Climate of City.
The climate OF any section depends
upon its latitude. its elevation. and its
relation to the great topographic feat
ures of the earth. such as the existence
Of large mountain chains, large rivers.
or large bodies Of water, especially of
salt water.
The characteristic of most valley .loca-
tions is that they are sheltered and pro-
tO,ted by the surrounding mountains
from the extremes in the way OF storms
and atmospheric changes. .-.-
Staunton, Va, is situated in the Shen-
andoah Valley, which is so celebrated |
for its great beauty and fertility, the
soil being the residual soil from the de-
composition Of limestone rock. 1t is 10
Gated near the head Of this valley, At