The Washington herald., 1912-05-30
By NJ. F. LEWIS,
STAT Correspondent.

Covington, Va, May 2s.-Many are the
changes that the passing years have
wrought in Covington. Ny last visit to
Coyington was paid some twelve years
ago, and to say that I was amazed at
the wonderful progress the little town
has made in that number Of years, is
mildly expressing my feelings. The won
derful development Of its commercial
possibilities; the pleasing appearance OF
its streets, lined with many handsome
homes, and the air Of prosperity that
permeates the entire town, set me to
wondering II had not reckoned rashly
when choosing other pastures where the
grazing has not been particularly good.
Twelve years back, the inhabitants
numbered less than one thousand. Today
more than five thousand souls are per-
manent residents there. Twelve years
ago. to a passenger on a flying train,
Covington was merely a blot on the land
scape; today it is the home Of many
thriving industries; many schools; many
churches. and many pretty homes where
in reside many happy, contented people
The county seat and leading town OF
Allegheny County, located on the main
line Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail-
way, there has been recently erected a
county courthouse. at a cost Of $4,000;
a new High School building, costing
penditure OF about $4,000; a new Odd
Fellows building, costing $4,000; the new
Hotel Collins a $4,000 structure, and
many private buildings and residences
that would be a credit TO a great many
towns larger than Covington.
As an instance Of the rapid progress
the town has made and the tremendous
business transacted through Covington
enterprises, it is stated that the freight
shipments from there will average sixty
cars a day.
Houses Of worship are owned by Pres
byteriars, the Northern and Southern
Methodists, Episcopalians. Baptists, and
Catholics. Its hotel accommodations are
ample for the requirements Of Covington
as the most progressive city between
Charleston and Charlottesville. Besides
commanding the trade OF a rich agri- |
cultural region, Covfngton boasts Of the
second largest wood pulp and paper plant |
in the United States; the largest extract |
plant in the world, having a daily ca
pacity Of 800 barrels of moIding liquid: |
one Of the largest steam tanneries in |
Virginia; an iron blast furnace with a |
capacity OF $50 tons Of pig iron per day; |
foundry and machine shops affording en- |
ployment 10 $50 skilled workmen: two |
Touring mills; planning mills; sash and |
door factory: pin and bracelet plant; ice !
factory; electric light plant: two steam |
brick plants, and a number Of smaller |
industries in successful operation
Covington is the junction point of the !
main line of the Chesapeake and Ohio !
Railway with the Warm Springs Valley |
branch, at the terminus Of which, |
twenty-five miles distant are located the |
famous Virginia Hot Springs. Within a |
, radius Of twenty-five miles are also the |
noted Greenbrier White Sulphur. Warm |
Sulphur, Sweet Chalybeate, Old Sweet |
and Healing Springs.
The Allegheny Teachers Association is /
composed Of all the teachers in the coun-
ty- 1t meets twice a year; its chief aim
is to raise the 3tandard Of teaching in
the county so high that the school boards
will not employ any other first grade
teachers at less than S45 per month.
The Covington High School is one to
which all the pupils in the county, after
having completed the work in the pri-
mary and grammar grades In their home
schools, may attend without paying any
tuition.
The graduates from this high school
may enter withou. examination the Uni
versity Of Virginia, Washington and Lee
University, Hampden-Sidney College, and
Randolph Macon Womans College,
Lynchburg. Va.
Washington and Lee University. Uni
versity Of Virginia, and Hampden-Sidney
College have given this school scholar
ship emitting the holder TO free tuition.
In all, CovingtOn has developed as rap
idly as some Of the wonder towns of
the West, because its citizenship is COM
posed of men who are active, hustling
and far-seeing- And Covington has not
Yet reached the pinnacle Of its possibili-
ties. 1t is a safe prediction that twelve
years hence Covington will be referred
to by writers as a city rather than a
town" Covington possesses all the
natural advantages to become a city
of renown, and every loophole Of oppor-
tunity will be taken advantage of by the
keen calculating citizen who says, This
is NV home town