Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1926-10-07
"A TRIP TO THE SESQl-CENTENNIAL
AND OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NORTH
By J. T. C. WRIGHT

Wright and family, left Boone in Mr..
Hartzog's automobile for a tour of
the north. 1t was our purpose to
visit New York City, the Sesqui-
Centennial at Philadelphia, Washing
ton, Richmond and other points Of
interest along the route. We left
Boone about o'clock in the after
noon and spent our first night in
Wilkes county at the home of my
father, C. C. Wright, who with his
wife and son, Calvin, joined us in
the tour, travelling in their auto
bile
The next morning we left about
1880 for our first real days journey.
We went by way of Winston Salem,
Leaksville-Spray, Rocky Mount in
Virginia, and other points, to Roa-
noke where we got on the Lee High
way which traverses the beautiful
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Be-
fore we had arrived at this point we
had to change tires on each of the
cars, having picked up nails on the
road.
Between Rocky Mount and Roa-
noke, Va, we crossed the Blue Ridge
and descended into the Shenandoah
Valley. The Blue Ridge at this point
is very low. You scarcely realize
that you have crossed until you be-
gin the descent to Roanoke.
After getting gasoline and oil at
Roanoke we travelled on over the
Lee Highway to the Natural Bridge.
Here we made camp just beyond the
bridge, having travelled 236 miles that
day. We stayed at tourist camp
about two miles beyond the Natural
Bridge.
The next morning we went back to
the Natural Bridge and paid the ad-
mission price of $1.10 each for the
privilege of wandering about under
the bridge and looking at it as much
as we desired This property is
owned by a private corporation. They
have fenced the road where it crosses
the bridge with very high fence
on each side. 1t is, threfore, i'm
possible to see the bridge without
paying the admission fee.
After paying the admission we
walked down tie path until we were
standing directly under the bridge.
The span Of the bridge is 80 feet in
length, 60 feet in width and 200
feet high from the waters of the
creek to the road over it. The stream
that flows under the bridge is called
Cedar Creek.
There are several interesting for
nations on the bridge. Among these
are the Spreading Eagle with a
man sitting on each wing, the Turk,
Solomon's Temple, the Indian and
others. Far up on the rock can be
seen the initials G. W. that were
carved by Geroge Washington when
he was young man.
Farther up the creek from the
bridge we entered Salt Peter Cave
which was. formerly mined for salt
peter to be used in the manufacture
of gun powder for use among the
early colonists-~ We left our names
and addresses on ledge in the en-
trance of this cave along with those
of many other tourists.
We then went still farther up the
creek to the point where Lost River
barely comes to the surface only to
disappear again. We drank from its
waters and then turned back without
visiting Lace Falls still farther up the
creek, as we were pressed for time
and must be on our way.
- On the return trip down the creek
| climbed to the top of the bridge
and wathched the others pass be-
meath. They looked very much small
er than they actually were. 1t is said
that few people can stand on top OF
the bridge and look down. Thomas
jefferson; IN his description of the
bridge says that he had to get down
on his hands and knees to look over,
and even then he could scarcely
stand it.
There are many beautiful paths,
SedCS, DFluSeS, IdlilliSo anu o'iiSA
conveniences that the corporation
has prepared for the use and
convenience of tourists; but | cannot
help but feel that it is a shame to
commercialize one of natures won
ders. feel that this property
should be owned by the government
and thrown open to every one free
of charge.
On the left of the Lee Highway as
you approach the Natural Bridge
YOU behold Ghost Mountain, so
named for some white rock forma-
tions on it's side that at night as
sumo ghostly appearances. This is
also known as Short Hill Mountain.
| A man by the name of Short settled
on the eastern end, and man by
the name of Hill on the western end
thus the name of Short-Hill was given
| to the mountain. -
This section of the country includ-
ing Ghost Mountain and the Natural
Bridge was granted to Thomas JET
ferson in 1774 by King George III
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