Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-10-27
THE ROAD QUESTION.


routes for the proposed State roads in
Jefferson and Berkeley counties. One
party is already at work in Jefferson
county, going over the two proposed
routes through Harper's Ferry-the
one through Bolivar, Camp Hill and
High street and the other to the south
of these towns by way of the Shenan-
doah river and Shenandoah street.
Other surveyors are at work on the
Winchester pike between Inwood and
the Virginia line and on the Hedgesville
road 10 connect Berkeley and Morgan
counties.
These activities bring up again the
question as TO the route that shall be
used 10 connect Martnsburg and
Charles Town, the county seats of
Berkeley and Jefferson counties, re-
spectively. The Register is strong for
using the direct and main-traveled
road between Martnsburg and Shep-
herdstown and thence to Charles Town
by way of Duffields or Shenandoah
Junction. To 60 by way Of Dufieds
is a straight route, and the distance
would be twenty miles between Mar
tinSburg and Charles Town. This
route has been a main travelled high
way for more than hundred years
IT would accommodate the extensive
travel between MartinSburg and Shep-
heristown. At Shepherdstown il
would Join with the splendid Maryland
State road system, giving direct CON
ncctlonS to Baltimore and Washing
tor-indeed all points east and north.
Carried on to Charles Town, it would
give north and south road, on the
National Highway, through Jefferson
county, which already has an east and
ives. improved road from Harper's
Ferry toward the Clarke county line,
thus providing the one needed link be-
tween the northern and eastern good
roa1S and the famous Valley turnpike
to Staunton and on south. The i'm
tance of the route through Shepherds
town as local accommodation, as a
county road and as desired link in
the great National Highway between
the rorth and south cannot be too
strongly urged. We believe that it
would be in accordance with the sririt
and the letter of our road law, and il
would unquestionably be of the great
est service TO the greatest number OF
people IN this county and to the gen
era travelling public. The only OBJ
lecuon that can be raised to this route
Is mat 1t is couple of miles longer than
a!Tect line between Martinsburp and
Charles Town. This objection, TO our
mind, is largely outweighed by the fact
mat 1t would take in the second largest
town in the county and would ac-
.om'i"oaate so many more persons To-
ca!iy and in through travel. The cost
ol construction would be at the minA
mum, for the present roads are wide
ana straight and there are no physical
oifilcu.tieS to speak of.
1t would not be Objectionable TO the
people of Shepherdstown district 10
nave the road come from Martinsbure
10 thls town and on to Charles Town by
way of Shenandoah Junction. Shen-
anaoah Junction is the most imppr-
Idht railroad station in Jefferson coun-
~ Ceing, as it is, on the main line of
me Baltimore & Ohio and the Norfolk
western Railroads. Both Shep-
herdstown and Charles Town, have
need of good roads to that place, as
w o'iier sections. BY going a mile or
Two out the Kearneysville pike
from Shepherdstown, and then build
I"g a short link of haf mile across
.He Butler and Herr lands to the Juno
non road, would make a desirable
loUe. This would cut out numerous
'uIl eS on this end of the Junction
io"N ana eliminate two railroad Cross
,ltH. From Martnsburg to Shep-
nei aStoWn and Shepherdstown to Shen-
"uuo"h Junction and Shenandoah June
,'oh 10 Charles Town would assure6ly
ue inad that would serve the people
NIoSeIy re ated to each other. Ii would
@ "i!n Inc improved roads already in
..A.S'Snce, link up all the incorporates
eu"hs and in addition give proper ac-
sSsS 10 the important railDad station
W shenandoah Junction.
we have no fault to find with our
Lcetown friends who desire 10 have
.nc road 90 through that village and
mence TO Charles Town Our chief
"nIecton to this route is that it elm
mes Shepherdstown and ignores the
n.rtnern section Of the county, and ac-
II.oIninodates such a comparatively
united number of people. AS for the
'ute through the pine hills. advocated
berNe ey county men who have
n.nards and farms along the line, we
neSume that the commission will not
give mat great deal of consideration,
Eien ;,;i though it is pressed by astute pol
oslIiiS who. would be benefited per-
o,n"Iiy S,,y merely and have their property
oaueS enhanced. Even the Berkeley
oapSu,lty people look upon this route as
absurd and the county court refused
!" recommend it.