L76/. 
 
 ad 
 
STEPHEN B, WEEKS 
 
 CL4S5 OF 1686; PHD THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSFTY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UMVERSiriiY OF N«l CAROUM 
 ME WEEKS COLUECTION 
 
 OF 
 
 ^o^ii.^ - n i^ 
 
UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
 00032739029 - 
 
 THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION 
 
 THIS TITLE HAS BEEN MICROFILMED 
 
 THiS ircM ,; . 
 
 ONTHEGai-- 
 
1 
 
 i 
 
FOREST SCENE, 
 
K) 
 
 ntrodaetory. 
 
 In future, Linville will depend for advertising, mainly 
 upon its intrinsic merits as seen by the public. 
 
 But. as at tlie Battle of Lexington. "The first shot 
 that was heard around the world," had to he fired, so 
 this pamphlet is sent forth as an introduction. 
 
EMMONS AND GRANDFATHER MOUNTAINS FROM BELOW LiNV/ILLE. 
 
EXPLANATORY. 
 
 Since 1SS7, the Linville IMPRo^•EME^■T Company, a corporation composed of capitalists from 
 Boston, ^-e^v York, Philadelpliia, North and South Carolina. .Missouri and Kansas, has been selecting 
 the lands, perfecting titles, making surveys, and doing the preliminary ^v,;,rk necessary in planning a 
 resort for health and pleasure. 
 
 Theseleclionofaplace was the most important step. .Mr. .S. T. Kelsey. an experienced town- 
 builder, after making a thorough examination and study of the mountains of Western North Carolina, 
 became satisfied that on the headwaters of theLin\-ille River, in Mitchell County, was a location peculiarly 
 adapted to the contemplated enterprise. 
 
 I pon his recommendation this site was chosen, and the place was naturally and appropriately 
 named Liwille, from the river on which it was located. 
 
 Sufficient land wa5 bought so that there would be no obstacle in the way of laying out the ground 
 to the best advantage and in the most appro\ed manner. 
 
 The Enterprise is oi such magnitude that the Company find it advisable to devote their entire 
 attention to improving the property ; and believe that the best means of doing this is by concentrating 
 their efforts in making good streets, avenues and roads, in such manner as to be of the greatest 
 permanent benefit t.j the place. It will be their endeavor to retain the beautiful natural features, and 
 sj to utilize them, that Liwille will be unique and unrivaled. 
 
 ■\\ e believe that the public will appreciate the effort and understand the situation. On reaching 
 Li.wiLLE. therefore, do not expect to find a finished tjwn, A foundation is being laid with care and 
 skill, and those coming in are expected to help build the superstructure. 
 
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 has already a ^vide reputation for healthfulness, and for the beautv of its scenerv 
 
 ,, "™ .^°"^' S°"'^ E^«' ^nd ^^est thousands visit the section summer and winter- hotels are 
 filled the entire year, and railroad travel is continuous. 
 
 are - nenT '^1 " J' """""u' '^'' '^' ''°'°" "'""'^ ^"'^ ^'^'"h"" -^"^ S-thern resorts, where hotels 
 are open for only a few months each season. 
 
 it and to!n"r?'" °'""'°" '" """' ""'^" "^' ^^""^ "'^ ^"^ ^'--^- '"''' '-- -^^out seeking 
 It, ana towns are growmg mto cities. ^>-<viiig 
 
 Railroads which have heretofore avoided the mountain ranges, because of expense now see 
 then- importance, and in many directions are preparing to penetrate them 
 
 and .f^"^™^^^'^ Carolina, with its valuable forests, rich soil, promising mineral resources pure water 
 and fine climate, has now entered an era of great progress, 
 
 LINVILLE. 
 
 In many respects Linville is essentially different from any enterprise ^•et started in North Carolina 
 ana, as lar as we know, in this countrv. 
 
 Its points of distinction will commend it. They are due in part to natural advantages not obtain- 
 able elsewhere, and in part to the fact, that it has been laid out for a large place,- everv necessitvand 
 requirement tor the future has been considered and, as far as practicable, provided for in' the be^innin" 
 
 I he usual custom of choosing a railroad crossing for a town site, has been departed fron? " 
 
 i he site ha.s been chosen independently, upon the merits of the location, and will command rail- 
 road iaciitics as they become necessary ; surrounding gaps rendering it easilv accessible 
 
 I he tract, with litde grading, is sufiiciently level for fine streets, and at 'the same time is undulatin-. 
 enough for thorough drainage. "'luuiatin^ 
 
At various levels, upon different slopes, every protection from and exposure to sun and wind can 
 be found, so that persons locating for summer, winter or permanent homes, can select building 
 sites t'"i suit their tastes and needs. 
 
 The principal avenues are laid out loo feet wide ; streets, 75 feet; allevs, 25 feet: blocks, 325 feet 
 square: regular lots 25x150 feet each. 
 
 Outside of the town site proper, a large boundary is being laid off so that each part will be applied 
 to the purpose to which it seems best adapted. Here the roads are being arranged with the idea 
 of securing the combined advantages of town and rural life : while communicating directly with the 
 centre, many of them, however large the town may grow, need not become business thoroughfares, 
 and we can conceive of no contingencies that would tempt public or private interests to make 
 anything of them but rural grounds. Along these roads, suburban lots will be sold of dimensions 
 to suit the lay of the land and the wants of purchasers. 
 
 Two avenues, with a strip of forest between, which will be left as a park, extend northward 
 along each side of the Linville river to its source. 
 
 In the plans, out-door games have been provided for — tennis, archery, ball and cricket ; and 
 suitable grounds have been reserved for fair-grounds and a trotting course. 
 
 Linville being situated about latitude 36° and longitude 82° and having an elevation ranging 
 from 3,800 feet at the town site, to about 6,000 feet, the highest peak of the Grandfather mountain, 
 has a remarkable 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 The atmosphere is pure and invigorating. In summer the air is cool, the thermometer seldom, 
 going above So°, with an average o[ about 65°. The winters are short and, unlike those of the North, 
 are not continuous. Occasionally the mercury falls below zero, and sometimes the grouiid will be 
 frozen or covered with snow fc>r two or three weeks, but usuallv the farmer can work in the ground 
 much cif the time, and the invalid finds but few davs uncomfortablv cold for out-door exercise. 
 

 
 
 ?&:. 
 
\\uh lempL'iate winters and cool summers, pure air and water, and fine climate 
 THE HEALTHFULNESS 
 of Linville is assured. For many years past tired, nerv,.,us people, and those sufferin- fi-,.m malarial 
 poison and thn.at and lun- troubles, ha^•e frequented this region and have, we beiie\-e,\een invariabl\- 
 benefited. 
 
 While Linville lias an e.xxellent outlook as a business centre, its chief claim is as a pleasure and 
 health resort. 
 
 Health and recreation go naturally together : and where, in the United States, can a place be 
 found with summer and winter climate so equable, or with finer air or purer water .= a place where 
 nature does more toward reUeying the cares and ills of man, or where one can locate with a better 
 assurance of good health and long life.' 
 
 Literary people and brain-workers, especially, wWl find Linville suited t..i their wants. The alti- 
 tude gives an in\igorating atmosphere which acts as a tonic and goes far toward overcomino- fatio-ue 
 and making lile profitable and pleasant. ° ° 
 
 SCENERY. 
 Prominent among the points ..f interest in the vicinity are Table Rock, Hawk.s-bill (the Towers 
 ot Linville), Grandmother :»Iountain, Blowing Rock, The Pinnacles, Lost Cove Clift" Yellow Roan 
 and Sugar .Mountain.s. Bynums Blutf and Linville Falls; but undoubtedlv the greatest attraction in 
 this region, in fact in North Carolina, is the 
 
 GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN. 
 
 It has a ruggedness and grandeur not possessed by any other peak in the Eastern States. 
 Toward the summit, e.-vcej.t where broken bv sharp peaks and precipitous cliffs, it is covered 
 with a growth o( spruce and balsam. gi\ing it a dark, sombrj appearance. 
 
 Being the highest point in the Blue Ridge, it is the pinnacle of the great water-shed east of the 
 
GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIh. 
 
Mississippi. From its slopes streams flow in all directions, some finding their wav into the Peedee 
 and Santee Ri\ers and thence into the Atlantic Ocean ; others running into the Tennessee and 
 Great Kanawha, and through them to the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 Towering high above the surrounding peaks the Grandfather alfbrds a magnificent view 
 From its top can be seen the great ranges and cross ranges of the Apalachian chain for more than 
 one hundred and fifty miles : the peaks of Otter, in Virginia ; the Cumberland Mountains, of Ken- 
 tucky and Tennessee: the great bald-headed Roan; the Lin\ille Towers: the lofty Blacks, and lesser 
 ranges, peaks and hills innumerable. Between the mountain ranges lie beautiful, quiet vallevs, 
 dotted with farms and traversed by sparkling streams. To the East and South-east the I'lmt-hills 
 recede in wavy undulations until the vision is lost in the plains of the Atlantic slope. 
 
 The Grandfather ^Mountain has been reser\-ed as an extensive park, where the natural features of 
 mountain and forest will be protected. Here, high above human habitation, is a supplv of cold, 
 
 PURE WATER. 
 
 sufficient to meet all future demands. Hurrying d.:iwn from the steep slopes, through dense, co'il 
 forests, the numerous branches of the Linville unite, to form a stream of rare beautv, which, after 
 running for fourteen miles, with gradual fall, through a gentlv rcilling valle^■, plunges suddenlv 
 into a narrow gorge, among rugged, precipitous cliffs, forming the Lixville F.\lls : whence, after 
 resdng for a moment in a deep, clear pool, it rushes as a turbulent, boisterous torrent into the 
 distant lowlands. 
 
 ROADS. 
 
 To the Parks and all points of interest, drives and bridle paths are being laid out with care to 
 secure easy grade; running o\er smooth, level lands, through dense forests, almost shutting out 
 
FROM GRArSDFAThER MOUNTAIN AT DAYBREAK 
 
the Iisht iif day, along the crests i:if narrow ridges givins 
 
 extensive views, around steep mountain sides, 
 
 ..\er mountain torrents, amid o\erhanging rocks and rugged clifls, this s}stem of roads will stand 
 unrivaied^ Here, at difterent elevations, the naturalist will find in close proximity the 
 
 FAUNA AND FLORA, 
 
 found in the lowlands only by traveling , ,ver 1,500 to 2,000 miles of latitude. 
 
 Birds that do not summer in the low countrv, except in the extreme north, remain here the 
 year rouml, while those comnKin to the country farther south, are regular summer visitors 
 
 Within a half day's ramble one may meet with bal.sam, spruce, beech, birch, maple, ash . .ak 
 poplar, lin. buckeye, gum. magnolia and most other trees common t.j the nortliern and central 
 States, \vith others native unl}- to the South. Nowhere else have we seen such a ^■ariet^- ami ].rofusion 
 of wild llowers. ..x such a continuation ...f uni'olding beauty, from the opening of the Arbutus and 
 and Claytonia to the fading of the Aster and the Golden Rod. 
 
 THE GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS 
 
 are among the oldest, and being highly crystalline afford an mteresting and profitable field for invest! . 
 gation and enterprise. 
 
 Here, in Mitchell county, are the richest mines of •■ Xorth Carolina :\Iica " — known as the stand- 
 ard and within ten miles are the noted Cranberrv irc>n mines. 
 
 Good building stone is plentiful and easily obtained. Clay, suitable for bricks of best qualit^■, is 
 found and is being developed, Slate is abundant, and. though untested, seems to be of excel'ent 
 qualitw 
 
KALMIA AND RHODODENDRON, 
 
THE SURROUNDING LANDS 
 
 All gram crops grown in the northern States do well and fruits nn,l .^.r.r.M^ - ■ 
 
 Aluch of the land i^ -fill r- it, ■ \egetables grou- to perfection 
 
 value. ° reasonable figures and will rapidly appreciate in 
 
 Lin\ille is the natural 
 
 BUSINESS CENTRE 
 for a large fertile section of countrv, which will be rapidlv .«tled and h.. n- ■ 
 distribudng r.oint ' Le lapian settled and has nu important t. 
 
 'wn as 
 
 Ihere is sufficient oak and hemlock hnrV t , ^r,-!, i ■ ■ , 
 
 nemiuck haik t,. supple a large tanning industry for many years. 
 
 ARTISANS. 
 
 an and impure water. nawn js ia.\cLi m oaa 
 
 :ow,:,rl7''" " "" P'^"^^"^^^^ '^"- -J"^- ™-^ -'-shing sleep, a better appetite or feels better able 
 

 TROUT FISHING IN THE LINUILLE 
 
BUSINESS SITES 
 
 and suburban lots ^viU be sold to all wishing to locate, engage in business or interest themselves in 
 Linville. at such figures that they can realize a good profit on their investments. 
 Prices will be given on application 
 
 CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES. 
 
 Several of the leadmg Christian denominations have already stated their determination to erect 
 houses of worship in Linville. Some of them will doubtless build the coming season. 
 
 Linville, because of its healthful location, is peculiarlv suited for an educational centre, and the 
 Lnpr.:.vement Company will aid liberally m the establishment of first-class institutions of learning, 
 libraries, museums and whatever else is practicable and desirable for the welfare of the community 
 
 HOTEL. 
 
 A comfortable, well-furnished hotel is now open for the accommodation of guests, at reasonable rates. 
 Visitors to this section will also find accommodation at Cranberry, Blowing Rock, Cloudland, 
 Linville Falls and Grandfather INLountain. 
 
 FISHING. 
 Within a radius of three miles, the Grandlather ^Liiuntain being the centre, are the head-waters of 
 eight stream^ : the Watauga, Boone Fork, Linville, West Fork, Grandmother Fork, Wilson's Creek, 
 Banners Elk and North Toe Rivers. 
 
 Bein- well stocked with mountain trout, they furnish, in proper season, excellent sport. 
 
MOUNTAIN TROUT FROM THE LINUILLE. 
 
 Microfilmed 
 SOLINET/ASERL PROJECT 
 
RAILROADS. 
 
 Linville is so situated tliat the extension of several railroads, now being built and in contempla- 
 tion, will pass ihroug-h the town site. ■ The Southern and Western Air Line, being built from Shelby 
 to Cranberry, will pass through Linville when completed. 
 
 At present the terminus of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad, is ten miles 
 distant at Cranberry, that of the Chester and Lenoir thirty miles distant, at Lenoir. The Atlanta. Ashe- 
 ville and Baltimore, and branches from the Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago, the Atlantic and 
 Danville, and the Norfolk and Western, are being talked of and are among the possibilities. 
 
 HOW TO COME. 
 
 The best way, at present, is via, the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad to Johnson 
 City, Tenn. (through Pullman cars): thence via. the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina 
 Railroad, through very fine scenery, to Cranberry Hotel or Elk Park, whence conveyance can be had 
 to Linville. 
 
 Parties from the South can come to Cranberry: or to Lenoir, and thence by wav of Blowing Rock: 
 or to Morganton, and thence by Piedmont Springs to Linville. 
 
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. ADDRESS 
 
 LinVillg lAPi^oVe^ieNT (0., 
 
 Linville, Mitcliell Co., ' 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA. 
 
MAP 
 
 OF COUNTRY SURROUNDING 
 LIN VILLE. 
 
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 J 
 
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