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Image provided by: Library of Virginia; Richmond, VA
Newspaper Page Text
PUSH ENERGY PERSEVERANCE NATURAL RESOURCES: "A LONG PULL, A STRONG PULL, A PULL ALL TOGETHER." PRINTERS' IN HUSTLE The Result: ROANOKE. VA. )no i |tsim i thu [fops 1 tin* cli not milt hots \>rt 1 thl 11 pr poos, liue ' The Gateway to the Southwest the Iron and Coal Fields. A Railroad, Iron, Mining, and Manufacturing Git; ?I2SrCORrORA.TED _A_S -A- CITY 1884, ROANOKE is really a marvelous city: Ten or twelve years ago It was but a country town, a way station, with less than half a hundrei houses, all told. Where our stately business houses, magnificent hotels and manufacturing establishments now stand, at that time wal counted as the finest wheat and corn lands in the State. The city is situated 900 feet above the sea level, in the most charming amphitheatre imaginable, formed by the Blue Ridge Mountainl and spurs of the Alleghanies. On top of "MILL MOUNTAIN" is an elegant Summer Hotel, within half an hour's ride from the city?an easj road and 'bus all the way to top. From this point the view is magnificent?unobstructed for miles?and at night the electric lights, the fires ii the great iron furnaces, the moving electric cars and railwav trains in all parts of the amphitheatre from pit to the family circle on the moun| tain side, is picturesque in the extreme. The system of streets and sewers is an excellent one?the latter being nearly completed. Fourteen miles of electric railway traverse tht streets?a portion which are paved with vitrified brick. The water supply is direct from a mountain spring?and is ample for a city of 50,00( population. * The Largest Railroad and Car Manufacturing Plant in the South, the Great Roanoke Machine Works h located here, and gives Employment to over a Thousand Men. Three Monster Iron Furnaces, Bridge Works, Lock Manufacturing Establishment, Engine Works, etc., give Employment to a Thousand More. Roanoke River Affords Abundant Water Power for all Kinds of Manufacturing Concerns. Original Forests, close at hand, furnish Timber for all Purposes. The area tributary Includes North Carolina, West Virginia, Tennessee and the surrounding country, embracing twenty two of the wealthiest, most productive and rapidly developing counties In Virginia. The bonded indebtedness is only $812,000, or less than 10 per cent, of the as? sessed valuation, which is $10,869,315.00. In 1882 It was $353,364. The bonds sell readily at a premium of two per cent. The Coal Supply of the Adjacent Pocahontas Coal Field is Inexhaustible. The Railroac Facilities are excellent? diverermp North, South, East and West. The transfers of real estate for a single year were over $i8,ooo,oco?requirinj over 5,000 deeds. The city has just completed and official aurvey at a cost exceeding $15,000. The Volunteer Fire Companies are splendidly equipped and will compare favorj ably with any paid department. The tax rate?all told?Is $1.65 per ioo*on a low valuation. Manufacturing Establishments are Exempt from City Taxation Until the Year 1902. During the present financial troubles Roanoke has made a record ot which she may well be proud: Not a bank failure, no manufacturing establishments closed, currency paid by al]] banks ou demand. Below will be found some comparative statistics, which are authentic and may prove interesting: 1882: Population, 912. 1893: Population, 25,000. 1882. Official assessment. $353j3?4 Freight Tons forwarded 30,485 Tons received. 37,893 Express Receipts. $2,400 f Teachers Employed. 5 Pmblic schools: \ %c\?] * 215 \ Salaries Paid Teachers. $1,020 (. School Property. 1,200 1892. $10,869,315 147,927 S64,54i $96,000 31 2,805 $14,800 85,000 Banks, Capital. " Deposits.-. Postoffice Receipts. Western Union Telegraph Company. Nu Tiber Sunday-school Scholars. Number Church Members. Value Church Property.~. 1882. $150,000 137,000 1,000 $200 ' 191 390 $4,600 1892. $900,000! 1,418,000! 40,000' ^25,0001 3,896? 5,7i8" $"7>350 Roanoke has 28 churches, 9 sporting clubs, 1 1 social clubs, 104 incorporated companies, 22 secret societies, 1 3 trade societies, 8 banks. The educational advantages are admirable, consisting of eight public school buildings, one institute for young men, one business college two colleges for young ladies and the far-famed Hollins Institute within six miles. The Peaks of Otter, Luray Caverns, Mountain Lake, Natural Bridge and numerous summer resorts are all within a few hours' ride?mak? ing Roanoke a most desirable location for business or residence. It is confidently believed that two new Railroads will be built to Roanoke! during the year, and the best opportunity ever offered for a profitable investment can now be had. We represent the best investments in thej city and can offer special inducements at this time. e Jas. S. Simmons Real