USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time > Part 160
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"By reference to our commercial tables, it will be seen that while we have exercised a most laudable economy in our imports of merchandise, our exports, even in spite of the low prices which prevailed, have not materially fallen off. We have exported more wheat, packed more beef, and shipped more cattle than in the previous season; and still there is a large surplus in the country for next season's business. Unless some hith- erto unknown mine be sprung upon the money markets of the world, the reasonable prospect is, that the busi- ness of Chicago the present year will far outstrip that of any previous one. There is but little grain in the East -with four months of winter before them. The banks of New York are overflowing with gold, ready for profitable investment; while we have an abundance of produce of all kinds, which, as soon as navigation opens, will go forward and relieve the embarrassed of all classes-for it is a well-known fact, that when the grain moves general prosperity follows.
" In the tables which follow in this article will be found the receipts, shipments and prevailing prices of . almost every important article of trade and commerce for the year 1857, as well as for a series of years pre- ceding. To the merchant, the trader, or the property- owner, they cannot fail to be interesting; as without a knowledge of the facts they demonstrate, any movement in the commercial world would be but groping in the dark.
"The grain trade-which is probably the most important branch of our commerce-has been active, aud shows, contrary to general expectation, but a slight falling off on the business of 1836, and an increase over that of 1855. The receipts of all kinds of grain in 1855 were 20,487.953 bushels, while during the past year they foot up 21,836.206 bushels-a falling off on the receipts of 1856 of about three million bushels. The shipments of grain and flour reduced to its equivalent in wheat, during the past year, amount to 18.032,768 bushels-which is but 2,818.618 bushels less than was shipped in 1856, and over two millions more than were shipped in 1855. It will be noticed, however, that while there is a slight reduction in the general footing up for
the year, that in the great staples of the grain trade we show quite a large increase. Of wheat we have exported 9,485,052 bushels, or 1, 147,632 bushels more than in 1856, and 3,286,897 bushels more than in 1855. In flour also, there is a large increase. We exported in 1857 259,- 648 barrels, or forty thousand barrels more than the shipments of 1856. Unfortunately, the people of the East became panic-stricken just as the wheat crop of 1857 was beginning to come in-else our shipments of wheat and flour (reduced to its equivalent in grain , would have been several million bushels more. For the present year there is a grand prospect for this trade- the crops of 1857 almost untouched, plenty of money in the East, and a general scarcity of the cereals.
" The provision trade has shown quite an important increase over the business of 1856. The number of cattle slaughtered and packed during the season just closed is 19. 127-an increase on the business of 1856 of 4,000 head. Before the scarcity of money occurred, however, packers' estimates exceeded 30,000 head.
" In 1857 we find there were over twenty-five thou- sand cattle shipped East-an increase of over three thousand head on the business of the previous year. Had the season been longer this number would undoubt- edly been greatly increased.
" Although the past year has not been very profit- able to lumber manufacturers, yet the figures show the trade to be in a most favored position. The receipts are 459,639, 198 feet, or over three millions more than in 1856. Had the business kept up during October and November at the same rate as the previous portion of the season, the receipts could not have fallen short of 500,000,000 feet. The shipments for the year are 58,- 221,063 feet more than those of 1856.
" The stone business in Chicago is quite a prominent branch of trade, In the following columns will be found statistics concerning its extent and position, which cannot fail but prove of interest to the commer- cial community.
" The position which the Chicago and Canadian trade has assumed within a year or two may be learned from an article in this review, which contains several valuable statistical tables. Our relations with Canada are of great importance, and our trade with our neigh- bors across the line is annually on the increase.
" In coal, salt, high wines, hides, cheese, butter, and many other important branches of trade, will be found a large increase on the business of 1856. Of course, even with this increase, we must take into account the general condition of the country during the past few months, which has no doubt operated to lessen the figures to a considerable extent.
" The growth of our lake commerce is worthy of some space in our review, and we have presented some statistics showing its growth and position. We give lists of steamers, propellers and sail vessels engaged in the general merchandise business of our city.
"We also give the rates which exchange on New York, Buffalo and St. Louis have commanded each week during the past four years. It is quite an interesting table and could not be well omitted in giving a general view of our trade and commerce.
" The shipping interest in our city is now large and extensive. and demands some attention. A carefully prepared table of the rates of freights for carrying wheat and corn to Buffalo and Oswego, will be found in this review.'
1
575
REVIEW OF TRADE IN 1857.
The following table shows the amount of some of
the leading articles transported on the Illinois & Michigan Canal each year since its completion:
184S.
1849.
1850.
1851.
1852.
1853.
1854.
1855.
1856.
1857-
Flour, bbis.
9.553
9.076
43,216
9,799
6,430
0,220
17,310
13,608
11,376
13.575
l'ork '. .
3,428
9.398
12,933
8,253
4,119
11,554
21.900
6,635
5.448
3.878
Salt, Ibs.
32,656
58,853
24,600
37,261
27,203
20,227
43.849
26,239
14.000
810.472
Lime, Com, and Hyde, bbis.
....
5.268
5,693
5.426
7,35!)
11,015
9,507
16,720
21.073
7.701
Seeds, Ibs. ...
....
. .
..
...
2,382
3.582
5,274
6,956
1,871
3 770
102,751
Whisky and II. Wines, bbls.
....
2,102
1,763
3.773
3,724
1,668
2,489
5,538
1.959
5.790
Wheat, bush ...
404, 11I
579.598
417.036
78,062
117,441
340,277
300,977
1,039,08g
914,400
807.914
C'orn ..
516,230
754,288
317.674
2.878,550
1, 810,880
2,490,675
4.501,203
5,430,632
4,122,005
Oats
72,659
61,989
159.859
199),025
846,565
1,042,036
1,543,230
755.805
368,620
Potatoes ..
29,839
6,375
14.470
1.506
17,002
16,903
31,102
21,843
5.630
SS5
Merchandise, Ibs.
4,949,320
1). 176.943
10,372,623
14. 175,928
15.300,346
10.687,598
10,732,134
5,177.371
2,041,314 1,233.046
1,727.000
Molasses ..
1,597,600
1,443,190
1, 148,68[
1.326,874
2,469,273
2,424, 115
2,218,122
1,461,125
406,850
Agricultural Implements.
1,005,130
1,256,237
630,358
800,982
985,492
725, 11)I
gos.S60
557.718
Bacon .
903.502
1,000,813
612,347
271,325
3,593,127
2,187,445
173.445
612,030
301,758
....
166,020
297.378
481,734
656,769
447,534
322,663
125.333
263.000
.. .
152,415
74.735
456,010
804,854
20,756,204
19,280,749
12,920,701
6,820,775
1.037,055
110.301
Iron, and Steel ...
....
1, 181,0)23 195,300
360,423
385,626
299.544
360,059
429.623
2,651.478
1,496,769
634,220
Stoves and Hollow Ware ..
. .
....
1,058,391
1,903.780)
1,498,734
2,488,504
1. 184,267
793.618
521,372
453.213
Coal, tons ...
5 .. 116
7,579
3.361
-1.533 19,90[
5.485
2,000
2,856
11,7:18
5.1177
Stone, cubic yards.
....
7,995
6,008
8,621
10,337.
18,463
23,065
24,160
33.938
31,796
42,049
Lumber, feet, B. M ..
14.425,357
26,882,000
38,687.528
82,122,215
Shingles and Lath, No ..
17,890,000
35.551,000
51,484,002 $125,594.25
56,510,051 67,032,868 $173,300.34
58,500,438 52,417.773
58,500,438 62.516,908 $173,372.08
68,272,109 67,972,071 $198,326.92
82,641,925 56,876,450
37,157.510
20, 161,906
Tolls received
$87,890.87
$118,375.72
5, ITS
122.043
46,921
9,809
25,025
218,471
181 120
118
1, 894
4S,2SS
54
1,732 2,097
978.590
171,350
7.211,630
103,000
S,442,611
211,712
516,987
11
15,569
5,030
4,290 2,643
1.13S
527
916
193.937
5.439,254
62,992
208,902
4.42"
40
9.793
6,0,20
7.234
2.127
76.4.11
459.639.195
59
Railroad.
15.286,072
11.723,006
ISI,792
8.795
$6, 191
32,771
6,850
2,429
13
383
....
1,534,990
1,894
48,235
....
3S
970,590
30,671
3,085,825
103,000
$,442,611
211,712
516,987
....
376,752
2,632
....
...
I.138
162,751
193,637
72,353
....
...
7,656
196,150
....
RECEIPTS.
Canal.
37,300
23,760
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
...
S.000
6,636
....
....
....
....
....
....
12,93I
....
....
210
..
61.833
208,902
4.423
255
7,085
2,001
45,495
15,046.745
....
STATEMENT
Railroad for 1857. .
146,460
8,375
5,118
33,160
12,910
2,827
22,596
559
438
..
....
1,732
2,059
134,043
3,200
. ..
15,569
5.347
4,290
. .
. .
. .
..
24.584
(1,950
6,154
....
23.320
175
101
Lake.
Articles.
Ag. imp. lbs ..
Ag. prod's lbs.
Apples, bbls ..
Bark, cords ..
Barley, bu ...
Beans, bu.
Beer, bbls.
Brick, nı.
Beef, bbls ..
Broom, c. ts ..
Butter, 1bs. ..
Calves, no. ..
Cattle, no.
Car axles
Car wheels ...
Castings, tons
Cheese, Ibs ...
Coal, tons
Corn, bu ..
Cotton, lbs ..
D'd Hogs, lbs.
D'd Beef, lbs.
Dr'd Fruit.lbs.
Eng. & Boilers
Flour, bbls ...
F'niture, pkgs.
tons.
Furs, l'os .....
Grass Sd., 1bs. Grindst's, tns. Hair, tons . ..
Hay, tons.
Hides, lbs ..
Hides, no.
Ilogs (live). . .
Iloops,cds. .
Iron & Nie. t.
Lard, bbls ..
Lath, no ..
Lead, tons.
I.ime, &c. bbls.
Mach'ry. pks.
tons
*
TOTAL IMPORTS AND EXPORTS .- Below will be
found a table showing the total imports and exports by
lake, canal and railroads during 1857. We have spared neither pains nor expense to make it perfect, and so far as the books in our public offices are accurate, will this statement be found correct. The imports have, as a general thing, been properly classified, and may be re- lied upon; but the system of classification in regard to
our exports is so general, that it is altogether impossible to make up a complete table from their books. We find that the item under the head of "merchandise" is made to include almost every article of trade, from a needle to an anchor. We trust that we will be able to report a better state of affairs next year. It is an important
matter to know how much we export and import, and we are happy to learn that some of our railway com- panies are beginning to appreciate this, and classify and systematize more:
Showing the Comparative Receipts and Shipments by Lake, Canal and
Total.
15.323,370 11, 893, 227
181,792
17,170
2,692
1,240
132
IQI
30
46
148
4,395
112
53 5-4
II
....
5,900
527
83
I
S
21
149
36
41
.. .
.
*
*
*
. .
Hemp, lbs.
Ilorses, no ...
Hubs, no.
Iron, l'& ,ins
79,650,000
..
30
. .
2,835 |
494,000
SO,144.( *)
-
*
*
$200,000
. .
..
.
..
Machinery ...
Nails and Spikes,
783,016
327,980
185.210
55.540)
Iron, railroad.
....
635,027
1,338,510
977,410)
1,495,926
1,213,201
797,861
385,420
240,279
Iron, l'ig and Scrap ..
....
4,218,208
5,680,324
4.591,47I
4.822,297
7.332,032
11,020,031
6,051,000
1.200.014
Sugar ..
3,211, 122 805,600
217.743
8,487
40,752
85,795
68,486
65,038
92,000
Wood, cords .. ..
80, 191,006
$180,519.38
$184.310.63
24.5 4
5.366,931
2,2SS,572
-
2,257.223
. .
4,122,605
....
Buckwheat ...
. .
..
Ashes . .
Barrels (e)
217,721
1,539,355
$168,577.27
914,230 766,926
3,565,861 993.326
1,159
593
. . .
Fish, bbls.
I.umber, ft. . . 444,396, 300
201
576
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Articles.
Lake.
Canal.
Railroad.
Total.
Articles.
Lake.
Canal.
Railroad.
Total.
Marble, toos ...
651
....
..
651
Fish, bbls ....
147
147
Malt, bu ..
3,360
....
42,376
45.736
Flour, bbls ...
167,227
644
78,407
255,278
Mdse., pkgs ...
160,763
....
. .
Furniture, tons
....
47
392
439
Mdse., tons ..
82,749
202
91,663
174,612
Grass Seed, lbs.
731,300
...
806,648
1,537,948
Meal, lbs.
. .
13,700
IOI, S92
115,592
G. Stones, tons
....
....
14
Mili Sto's, tns .
..
...
23
23
Hair, tons.
10
.. .
....
10
Mill Stuffs ...
435,319
7,927,556
8,362,$75
Ilay, tons
434
596
. . .
1,030
Molasses, bis ..
...
. .
I.S.48
1,84S
Hides, no ..
75,200
...
66,578
141,773
Oats. bu ...
So
366,739
940,432
1,307,25I
Hides, lbs.
196,000
1,320,300
1,516,300
Oil, bbl .. . .
..
...
45,767
45,767
. .
..
....
110,070
110,070
Paper, lbs. ..
8,050
....
38,441
38,441
601
106
. - 35
742
Pork, bbls
5
2,757
6,126
8,91S
Lath, no ..
14,118,275
38,519,420
52,637,695
Posts, c'r, no ..
544,302
...
. .
Lead, tons.
928
...
. ISO
1,IOS
Provisions, lbs.
4,200
1,395, 19S
4, S52, S30
Lime, bbls.
1,010
1,392
12,759
15,161
R. R. lron, t's
27,305
....
787
28,092
Mach'ry, tons.
..
..
1
102
....
206
Rye, bush ....
2,213
84,485
86,69S
9,189
717
137,253
147,159
Salt, bbls. ....
204,469
....
1
204.473
23,178
.. .
23.178
Salt, sacks
117,377
....
. .
402.770
..
113,289
516,059
Lard, tons.
....
I, S50
I,S50
....
..
76,716
76,716
Sheep, no ..
..
....
52,469
25,469
. .
. .
6,500
1,400
7.900
Shingles, no .. 130,462,250
....
1,368,000
131,S30,250
Molasses, bbls.
....
1,506
1,506
S. Bolts, cds.
7,182
...
Oats, bu ...
389, 184
1,890
24,538
415,612
Shot, Ibs ..
...
81,000
...
Oil, bbls ...
35
35
Slate, tons.
134
..
....
Pelts, &c., lbs.
..
12,151
91
17, S36
30,07S
Staves, no.
3,123,000
30,610
....
3,153,610
31.656
587,880
619,536
Stone, c y .
122, S.42
....
Provisions, lbs.
1,617,460
. .
1,846, 106
3,463,566
Stone, tons ..
1,515
46;
1,980
129
55
869
971
Sugar, lbs ...
. .
1,714.961
6,432,166
8,147,127
2,240
11,578
57,50I
71,319
Sundries, tons.
172
2
347 565
565
Lard, tons.
585
88
673
Tar, lbs ..
29,750
29,750
45
. .
6,471
6,516
Tel. poles, no.
12,883
....
210
350
Sh. Bolts, cds.
489
76
565 725
Vinegar, bbls ..
. .
9
9
Stone, tons . . .
1,604
12,645
876,550
$59, 195
Water pipe, pc.'
1,835
. .
....
1,835
Sundries, tons. Tallow, Ibs. ..
I,SO7
37
345
2, 1 Sq
Whisky, bbls.
430
5,8St
24,255
30,566
Vinegar, lbs ..
...
IIO
1,624
1,734
Wood, cords.
79,463
21,592
17,974
119,029
Wheat, bu .
9.284,705
12,383
187,964
9,4$5,082
Whisky, bbls ..
609
359
9,014
9.952
Wood, cords ..
Wool, lbs.
3,276
...
735 711
738,987
SHIPMENTS.
Articles,
Lake.
Canal.
Railroad.
Total.
Ag. Imp., Ibs.
....
520,41S
6,930,844
7.451,262
Ag. prod's, lbs.
....
53.312
1.348, 192
1,401,404
Ashes, lbs. ...
....
165,582
165,582
Apples, bbls. .
10
....
5,931
5,941
Barley, bu ....
1,104
9.993
158,829
169,926
Bark, cords ..
. .
656
10,037
13,937
Beans, bu ..
54
....
8,600
S.654
Beer, bbls ..
...
6
1,313
1,319
Beef, bhls ....
44,203 358
53
1.46
44,402
11. W. IT'r, bls.
. .
....
S 3
83
Butter, lbs ....
. .
....
45,350
45.350
Castings, tons.
...
226
$49
1.075
Cheese, lbs ....
....
218,406
218.406
Coal, tons
634
22,764
23.398
Con, bu.
6,776,514
....
48,620
6,$25, 134
Cattle, no ... . .
122
....
25,365
25.487
D'dl Hogs, lbs.
....
....
4.229,253
4.220,253
i'd Beef. Il:s. .
....
....
345,626
345,626
F.'d Fruit, lbs.
....
....
13,179
13.170
Engines, no ...
5
....
....
5
..
20, 131,250
134,696,500
154,27,750
Tobacco, lbs. .
....
91,266
....
Staves, cords. .
519
7,000
S,604
Wag's & Bug's
625
5
153
783
Sugar, bbls. .
99
35
3,464
3,598
Wheat, bu ....
8,470
SS5,531
9,461,029
10,355,030
60
White Lead,1b
...
425,012
....
425,012
Wool, lbs ....
....
89,588
1,027,243
1, 116,831
. .
....
2,105
2, 105
39
140
24,328
24,479
Skins, Ibs. .
...
....
1,182,000
1,182,000
Lard, bbls ..
2,210
....
1,476
3,686
R. R. Chairs ..
IO, ISS
. ..
10,188
Lumber, ft ....
240,330
$2,427,639
228,919,870 311,757,839
2,273
R. R. Ties, no ..
120,076
....
2,057
122,133
102
Reapers, no. . .
95
....
95
Marble, tons .. Mach'ry, tons.
Adse., tons ...
Mdse., pkgs ..
117,377
Meal, lbs.
Mill Stuffs, lbs. Mill Stone, lbs.
....
592,973
592,973
Spokes, Do.
373.300
...
....
373,300
Pork, bbls ....
Posts, no .....
R. R. Iron. tns.
Stone ware
58,123
58,123
Reapers, no .. .
102
. .
Salt, bbls .. . .
Salt, sacks.
. .
58,534
....
58,534
Tallow, bbls ..
. .
12,883
Thresh. Mach.
140
91,266
Wagons, no. ..
. . . .
60
...
AUXILIARY AGENCIES.
In the foregoing pages the development of the trade, commerce and manufactures of Chicago have been traced from the beginning to a period when the city had attained the foremost rank among the commercial cities of the country. Thus far, the record has been of results, and of a progress so rapid as to be phenomenal. Such progress was not the result of chance, nor of what is sometimes termed good fortune. It was the result of a combination of energetic causes, rather than a combination of favorable circumstances ; causes as remarkable as the growth of the city itself. Due allow- ance being made for all the natural advantages arising from its geographical location, and the fertility and productiveness of the tributary country, the unprece- dented growth of Chicago is more largely attributable to human foresight, courage, energy and enterprise than any other modern city in the world.
So late as June, 1825, Prof. William H. Keating,
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35
Oil Cake, Ibs ..
. .
114
I
115
Hoops, cords ..
Hogs, no ...
Horses, no .. . .
Iron & Nails ..
Iron, P. & Sc'p
Pickets, no ....
....
....
436,460
436,460
Peaches, boxes
8,050
544,302
6,252,228
7,182
81,000
134
122,842
184
521
Sheep, no .. . .
Shingles, no. .
686
Barrels, no ...
3.000
Broom Corn, ts.
35
303
126
126
91
2,273
35
160,763
206
577
AUXILIARY AGENCIES.
the geologist and historiographer, with Major Long's second expedition, at the close of a most disparaging discription of Chicago and the surrounding country, said : "The dangers attending the navigation of the lake, and the scarcity of harbors along the shore, must ever prove an obstacle to the increase of the commer- cial importance of Chicago. The extent of the sand banks which are formed on the eastern and southern shore by the prevailing north and north-westerly winds, will likewise prevent any important works from being undertaken to improve the port of Chicago." In 1832, Milwaukee, eighty-five miles north, and Michigan City, twenty-five miles south, at the head of the lake, were both considered as likely to become great trade centers as Chicago. Only the residents of Chicago had supreme faith in her future. No city ever started under more discouraging conditions. The site was on a level so low that the waves of the lake, when driven by eastern storms submerged half the ground on which the pres- ent 'city is built, and inundations from the spring freshets were frequent when the Desplaines River, overflowing its banks jomed its waters with those of the South Branch of the Chicago River, and sought an out- let through its low banked channel at the site of the amphibious town.
It is unnecessary to indulge in speculations as to the causes which brought together at such an unpromising spot, the wonderful aggregation of human energy which has overcome every natural obstacle, and built a city, where under other conditions no city would have been. In twenty years all was changed. The river creeping in tortuous course behind forbidding sand-bars to its shallow outlet had been made straight, and, through wirle opening piers, welcomed to a safe haven the storm- tossed ships. Wharfs and docks, and warehouses lined its banks where trees had stood before, and forests of masts lined its borders. The city had been lifted, and stood on dry ground, high above the flood. The waters of the Desplaines no longer threatened devastation, but, turned into an artificial channel, bore a never ceas- ing flood of wealth to the city, vieing in beneficent service with a dozen lines of railway, converging to this common center, and reaching their iron arms far out to the north, to the south, to the east and to the west.
The energy which had wrought such changes and achieved such wonderful results had nne peculiar char- acteristic. It was prophetic, ever, in its immeasurable faith, providing for what was to come. The sudden avalanche of grain which came to Chicago with the com- pletion of the canal, constantly increasing as each newly built railroad added to its volume, ever found waiting buyers, and shippers, and warehouses and elevators of ample capacity, ready built for the trade. The city has thus from the beginning always been found prepared to avail herself of each new branch of trade which has come to her; hence, no opportunity has been lost to her by being taken unawares, and no advantage wasted, how- ever pressing or unexpected its appearance, for want of foresight in preparation or courageous promptness in its appropriation.
At the beginning of the commercial history of Chi- cago the avenues of trade, whether for the export and import of merchandise by lake, or the receipt and distribution inland, wa- restricted by most serious natural obstacles. Until 1834, there was no harbor. A sand-bar ran across the present mouth of the river, and the roadstead outside, unprotected by headlands, made what is now the safe harbor of Chicago a point on the western shore to be avoided, except in mild weather, when vessels might ride quietly at anchor off shore,
while their cargoes and passengers were debarked and landed by the primitive means of lighters.
Leading inland from Chicago were no roads that were passable. The land was a low, damp prairie, which, in the wet seasons of spring and fall, became little better than a bog, over which the roads were well nigh useless for heavy teams, except in the dryest summer or the coldest winter. The radius of country tributary to Chicago was thus measured by the facilities for trans- portation. No farmer could safely bring a load of corn or wheat from a further distance than fifty miles with any expectation of profit. So, at the beginning. the radius of country directly tributary to Chicago as a grain mart may be safely set at that distance. The notable exceptions to the restrictions was in the marketing of cattie, sheep and horses, which could be driven in. thus being made to transport themselves to market. The first, and most important, commercial need of Chicago was better means of transportation centering at the chosen site of the great city.
PLANK ROADS superseded the primitive roadways over all the important thoroughfares leading from the city at a quite early date; thus essentially enlarging the area of trade subsidiary to the city. The Southwestern Plank Road, left the " Bull's Head" on Madison Street, and passed through Lyonsville to Brush Hill, near what is now LaGrange Station, on the Chicago, Burlington &' Quincy Railroad, a distance of sixteen miles. From that point the Oswego Plank Road extended fourteen miles further in a southwestern direction, to the Naper- ville settlement. The Northwestern Plank Road started from the Galena depot, and extended seventeen miles to the present village of Desplaines in Maine Township. Seven miles out the Western Plank Road branched off toward Elgin, running, in 1853, some twelve miles in that direction. The Southern Plank Road started on State Street, at the south line of the city, and extended ten miles in a southerly direction toward Iroquois County. There were also projected in 1853, the Blue Island Plank Road, from that village due north to the southwest corner of the city; thence along Blue Island Avenue, which the City Council had planked to Madison Street; and the Lake Shore Plank Road, which commenced at the north line of the city on Clark Street. from thence it ran northwardly, nearly parallel with the lake shore hy Rees & Hundley's tavern, through Pine Grove to Little River, and thence to Hood's tavern on the Green Bay Road.
These roads raised the mud embargo, which had before hampered the country trade a good part of each year, and greatly enlarged the circle of country that sought Chicago as a market.
THE ILLINOIS & MICHIGAN CANAL, completed in 1848, was the first great feeder, and remained, for many years, the most important avenue of transpor- tation between the city and the interior of the State. During the five years, from 1850 to 1857, railroads were built in all directions centering in Chicago, and at the latter date the present magnificent system of transporta- tion, which has since so developed in magnitude as to reach all points in the United States, the Canada-, and Mexico, was fairly inaugurated, and in such manner as to secure to Chicago the position she has come to hold as the great railroad center of the continent.
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARBOR, or rather the building of the harbor, the dredging and straightening of the river, and the building of docks and wharves for the convenience of the immense commerce which the improved means of land transportation had centered in the city, kept even pace with those enterprises. In the
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578
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
summer of 1833 the first pier was built, and in the spring of 1834 the first sand-bar had disappeared, and thereafter Chicago was open to a commerce which has increased each year until the present time .*
CustoMs .- Up to 1846, Chicago belonged to the Collection District of Detroit, being a port of delivery only. All the statistics pertaining to customs, foreign and lake trade were merged in the general reports of the whole district at Detroit. July 16, 1846, the new District of Chicago was created embracing in its juris- diction the harbors, rivers and waters on the western shore of Lake Michigan as far north as the town and river of Sheboygan, and as far south as the dividing line between the States of Illinois and Indiana. Chicago at that time became a port of entry.t thus being recog- nized by the Government, and placed on an equal com- mercial footing with other American ports of the first class. The lake trade did not show a large foreign element in early years as is evinced by the following extracts from the Chicago Weekly Democrat. Septem- ber 26, 1848, it said:
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