B&O Projected Route

[…] By the projected route through Jefferson and Berkeley counties referred to (the original B. & O. survey), the road would not only touch Shepherdstown, where it would be given a hearty welcome, as was given the old Shenandoah Valley years ago, but it would come in close contact with promising business points along the line, natural centres in their local sections; also with valuable iron ore and other mineral deposits, undeveloped partially for want of an outlet; also with the growing cement business just below town; the rapidly developing limestone industry at Bakerton, and the Knott and Flanagan quarries near by, as well as the large and valuable iron ore deposits at and adjacent to the old and well-known Virginia Ore Banks, on the Potomac, six miles from here. At several of these points a railroad would manifestly act like leaven in the meal, make them spread and grow, and not without mutual advantage, the carrier sharing in the benefits of the increased business and trade. […]