USA > Indiana > Floyd County > New Albany > The advantages and surroundings of New Albany, Ind., Floyd county : manufacturing, mercantile and professional interests Public buildings and officials, schools, churches, societies, canals, rivers, railroads, etc., etc > Part 10
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PITTSBURGH, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO AND ST. LOUIS RAILWAY.
In Feb. 1832, an act was approved for the building, by the State, of a railroad between Madison and Indianapolis. This was surveyed in 36, commenced in 38, and completed from North Madison to Edinburgh in 39. It was leased until 41 for 60 per cent. of the gross earnings. The act incorporating the Jeffersonville R. R., was passed Jan. 28, 1846. road surveyed May 48; built to Vienna 27 miles, in 49, and Columbus in 52. This was consolidated with the Madison & Indianapolis road in 1866, under the title of J., M. & I. In 1865, the Clark county plank road bed was purchased and the six miles of connecting link, from Jeffersonville to State street, New Albany, put down at a cost of $152,695.53. July 1st, 1872, an agreement was completed with the Louisville Bridge Co., for crossing the Ohio river at that place, and Louisville became the southern terminus. In 1873, the J., M. & I. system, aggre- gating 225 miles; was leased by the Pennsylvania Company, and Oct., 1890, this be- came the Louisville division of the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, with division offices at Louisville, which practically gives all the Falls Cities, direct connection with the vast Pennsylvania system. In the year 1891, 1,800,000 persons were carried on the Louisville division, covering 22,324,000 miles without a fatal ac- cident to its passengers. The "Dinkey" trains on this line run between Louisville, New Albany and Jeffersonville every half hour, making the round trip, for the mod- est sum of ten cents, and are a great accommodation. They begin at 5 a. m., and close service at 12:30 a. m., having aggregated 54,441 trains in 1891.
G. B. Roberts, president of the P., C., C. & St. L., has headquarters at Philadelphia, James McCrea, Ist vice president, Joseph Wood, general manager, and E. A. Ford, general passenger agent, are found at Pittsburg. J. F. Miller, general superin- tendent has offices at Columbus, Ohio. H. I. Miller, division superintendent, has been a life-long railroad man, and came from Cincinnati & Logansport division to this
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charge in March, 1890. Mr. A. Anderson, passenger agent, has offices at Fourth and Market, Louisville. New Albany has local stations at 5th, 9th, 16th and Vin. sts. Byron F. Darrah, a Hoosier, for 11 years past in the employ of this company, came from Vienna to the charge of the State st. ticket office in 1887. Jas. N. Richards is baggage master and clerk. C. U. Williams, graduate of a Louisville business college, has been 14 years with the P. C. C. & St. L., and has for 5 years past, been in charge of the New Albany freight office. He requires six assistants.
LOUISVILLE, EVANSVILLE & ST. LOUIS AIR LINE.
This road, familiarly known as the Air Line, was surveyed in 1871, partly built in 72, after which work was suspended for some time, but its final completion was con- summated in 1881. The main line, as its name implies, is a very direct route, reach- ing St. Louis in a distance of 267 miles, which is 56 miles shorter than by any other route. The branch from Jasper to Evansville is 54 miles, from Cannelton, a noted coal mining town, to Lincoln Junction, is 22 milos, and from Rockport to Lincoln Junction adds 17 miles, making the total length of the road, with its branches 360 miles. The L., E. & St. L. is well equipped, passes through the heart of southern Indiana and Illinois coal fields, where superior block and cannel coal is found, suit- able for all purposes of iron and steel production, and general manufacturing, which enables our industrial concerns to secure coal at reasonable prices, when the upper Ohio is blocked with ice, or navigation partly suspended on account of low water. The route also passes through a well timbered section, and several of our woodwork- ing establishments, recieve the bulk of their supplies by this line. A good agricultu- ral region is traversed, the finest clay is found at Huntingburg and Lincoln, excellent glass rock at Marengo, mineral paint ores at different points, and the important cities made accessible through the Air Line are numerous. The largest lime kiln interest in the western country is found at Milltown, on the banks of Blue river, where is an extensive park, famous as a summer resort and picnic grounds. This road also has a regular station at the Holiness Camping Grounds, and with the caves at Marengo and Wyandotte, there is no lack for interesting excursion resorts. When all the above advantages are taken into consideration, the importance of the L., E. & St. L. R. R., to this city, can readily be seen. While it has connections with all railroads centering at Louisville, through the K. & I. Bridge Co., the eastern termi- nus of the road is at New Albany. The general offices are at Evansville, D. J. Mack- ey, president; R. A. Campbell, general passenger agent; E. O. Hopkins, general freight agent, and G. J. Grammer, traffic manager. All of these gentlemen have a high standing as railroad men. James Montgomery, of Huntingburg, officiates as general superintendent, and H. R. King, a native of this city, has had charge of the New Albany freight and ticket offices since the completion of the road. Mr. King is a graduate of DePauw University and has been in railroad business for nearly 21 years. Morris McDonald, jr., son of New Albany's mayor, is train master.
KENTUCKY & INDIANA BRIDGE COMPANY.
This is an age of progression, and easy transportation facilities are essential to rapid development, but when a second bridge across the Ohio was proposed, its projectors were considered visionary. The promoters of the scheme were, however, men of wealth and perseverance, and April, 1880, Bennett H. Young, St. John Boyle, Bluford Wilson, Charles Godshaw and E. F. Trabue secured a charter of incorpora-
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OF NEW ALBANY, IND.
tion from the Ky. Legislature. . March 7th, 1881, Morris McDonald, J. H. Stotsenburg, J. F. Gebhart, J. K. Woodward and J. J. Brown, all well known business men of New Albany, were incorporators on the Indiana side. The capital stock was made $1,700,000; first mortgage bonds $1,000,000, second mortgage $600,000 and first terminal $400,000 were issued. The two million dollars indebtedness, at 5 per cent. annual interest, makes fixed charges of $100,000; but the earnings for 1891 were considerably above the amount required for interest, showing a very gratifying increase in trade for five years. Work was commenced in 1880, and the last section of the bridge completed April 10, 1886. The roadway was opened for travel about July 1st; the railroad completed and traffic opened on the "Daisy Line" in the winter of 1886. The roadway has become the principal way for team communication across the river, and the Daisy cars carried more than a half million of passengers in 1891. No accident worthy of mention, has occurred to any passenger on this line, but on the 5th of January last, Conductor Mahon was killed in Louisville while in the discharge of his usual duties.
The Bridge, of steel and iron, is about a mile in length, crossing the river just below the Falls. From the Vincennes street depot to 1st street, Louisville, is 4 miles, a Y from 29th street leads out 5 miles to Parkland, a suburb of Louisville, and with the New Albany Belt and Terminal, the whole length of the line is 11 miles. A number of railroads which enter New Albany and Louisville use the K. & I. system for terminal and connecting facilities. The New Albany street railway is owned by the K. & I. Bridge Co., and round trip tickets, covering two rides on the street cars, with passage from the Daisy depot to 1st street, Louisville and return, are sold for 15 cents. Trains are run over this route at stated intervals, averaging about 30 minutes, and the Daisy line is a great popular convenience. In connection with the Highland electric, it gives the people of Louisville, the round excursion to the camping grounds of Silver Hills, for the unprecedented low fare of 25 cents.
The general offices of this line are in the Ky. Natl. Bk. building. Col. Bennett H. Young, who has been president of this company since its organization, has won an enviable record as a railroad builder and manager, and is a financier of acknowledged ability. W. F. Grant, vice president, is an extensive leaf tobaoco merchant; Chas. P. Weaver, secretary and treasurer, was for several years assistant P. M. of Louis- ville, and W. R. Woodard, general manager, is a railroad man of extensive experi- ence. J. P. Pulliam, who was educated in the schools of his native city, Louisville, has officiated as freight and ticket agent at the New Albany depots of the K. & I. Co. for 2 years past.
OHIO & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD.
About the middle of the present century active steps were begun for building a railroad from Cincinnati, on the Ohio, to St. Louis, on the Mississippi river, a dis- tance of 340 miles. This was completed in 1856, since which a line from Shawnee- town to Beardstown, Ills., of 228 miles has been added, and the Louisville branch of 57 miles from North Vernon. By a connecting link of 7 miles from Watson to New Albany, the O. & M., through the K. & I. Bridge Co., has direct connection with the railroads of Louisville and New Albany, and furnishes an outlet from this place to the east, west and north. The O. & M. was built a six foot gauge, as 40 years ago that was believed to be more serviceable; but the gauge was reduced to standard in 74.
The general offices are at Cincinnati. John F. Barnard, president and manager;
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C. C. F. Bent, superintendent, and W. B. Shattuc, formerly passenger agent of the A. & G. W., has for 10 years had charge of the passenger department of the O. & M. R. S. Brown, of Louisville, is southern passenger agent, while H. H. Conway, of Madison, Ind., who has been for 12 years with this company, has charge of the Vincennes street ticket depot; Evan Prosser, chairman of the republican county committee, is city passenger agent, and W. D. Briggs, of Jackson county, for 20 years past in railroad work, officiates as freight agent.
THE BELT & TERMINAL RAILROAD.
The connecting link with the Air Line and other roads, is built on an elevated track, skirting the river front, and was projected by our townsman, J. F. Gebhart, the franchise having been sold to the K. & I. Bridge Co., by which it was completed in 1890. The road is 2 miles in length and with its rights and privileges cost $300,- 000. It adds largely to the conveniences of shipment, and is an important part of the K. & I. system.
NEW ALBANY HIGHLAND RAILWAY CO.
A very important addition to New Albany's future development was undertaken by home capital, in the organization of the above company, July 20, 1890. The ascent from the foot of Spring street, to the summit of the Knobs, is about 200 feet in one mile, but by winding around the brow of the bluff, the camping grounds, 2 miles distant, is reached at a grade of about 120 feet to the mile, which is rapidly ascended by the electric motor cars. This places the beautiful plat of "Silver Hills" in a con- dition to be easily reached by those who desire residences in this delightful suburb, and makes the interstate camp meeting grounds a favorite summer resort, not only by New Albany people, but by the denizens of Louisville, who, for 25 cents, get a double ride through their own city, and across the Ohioriver, are transferred through New Albany's principal business streets, and by electric power, are carried up and down the steep bluffs of Silver Hills. This company have an electric plant and a full equipment of motor cars. During the busy season cars run every 10 minutes. John F. Gebhart is president; W. W. Tuley, mentioned among attorneys, is secretary and treasurer, and David Stine officiates as superintendent. The directors are J. F. Gebhart, Jacob Goodbub, Geo. P. Helfrich, Henry Terstegge, R. E. Burk, Geo. W. Tuley and Jacob Zinsmeister.
GLENVIEW PARK RAILWAY COMPANY.
Realizing the importance of the surrounding summer resorts, and suburban prop- erty, the Glenview Park Railway was incorporated March 10, of the present year, by a number of New Albany's prominent business men. The capital stock was made $50,000, and the proposed line is to extend from Main street to Glenview Park, a dis- tance of about three miles. Electricity will be the motor power, and there is every reason why the enterprise will be a good investment. The officers are Jonathan Peters, president; John E. Crane, vice president; Robt. W. Morris, treasurer, and Evan Stotsenburg, secretary. Such enterprises are needed in every progressive city, and should receive proper recognition from the powers that be.
STREET RAILWAY SYSTEM.
Seven miles of street railways furnish facilities for reaching the business and residence portion of New Albany. The system was originally built in 1865, and was
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purchased for $35,000 by the K. & I. Bridge Co. in 1887, in order to make its con- nections more complete. Subsequently about $75,000 was spent in improvements and equipments, the line now making regular connections between the "Daisy" and Highland electric road, and furnishing a very complete car service. It is contem- plated to change the system into an electric line in the near future. John F. Geb- hart is president of this and the Belt & Terminal.
REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE-HOMES, STREETS, ETC.
New Albany is conveniently platted, has numerous well built mansions, surrounded by elegant lawns, and handsome homes of less pretensions. What is still better; through the adjunct of building and loan associations, with the natural thrift and economy of its mechanics and laborers; it has a very large number of convenient and well kept cottages, which are owned by the occupants and upon which no rent is paid. The back alleys are nearly all thoroughly paved, so that it takes but little labor to keep them clean and the principal . streets are macadamized. A complete sewerage system is contemplated and subsequent paving by brick or asphalt of the principal thoroughfares. Many fine shade trees stretch their protecting arms over the side walks and streets, to keep off the summer rays of the sun, and altogether this may be called a very pleasant city in which to live. There are numerous outing places, in easy range of diatance which are mentioned on other pages. In progress and material development of the place, real estate agents should not be overlooked. This class of business requires a large amount of advertising, which brings New Albany into notoriety, and the more liberal agents and owners give easy terms to those who desire to make immediate developments, thereby encouraging the pur- chase of lots and establishment of homes.
SOUTHWESTERN R. E. AGENCY-LAF. FREDERICK & SON.
NO. 53, E. MAIN, CORNER BANK STREET.
Perhaps no man in New Albany has been exclusively engaged in the real estate bus- iness longer, or is more thoroughly acquainted with every portion of the city and its surrounding suburbs than "Laf." Frederick. Mr. Frederick is a native of this coun- ty, served as sergeant in the 23d Reg. Ind. Vols., and later was promoted to a cap- taincy in the 93d Reg. Capt. Frederick commenced the real estate business in New Albany, in 1869, making himself useful in every department of the business, and care- fully looking after his customers needs. With 23 years in that interest he has become familliar with every street of the city, and explicit confidence can be placed in his judgment as to values of real estate, or worth of buildings for rent. One of the noted residence streets of New Albany, is Ekin Avenue, on which this agency has a number of choice lots, which from the elevated position commands a magnificent view of the city and its unsurpassed surrounding natural scenery. A bird's eye view of New Al- bany, with Silver hills in a semi-circle to the north and west, the bridges that cross the Ohio, the Falls, and the metropolis on the opposite side of the river, are all in range from this fine residential property. The avenue has been macadamized and graveled, lies superb for natural drainage. and several hadsome residences have been erected; among which may be mentioned those of W. D. Keyes, A. C. Neat, W. H. Mckay, W. R. Heath, W. S. Applegate and others. The street has a large water main and is lighted by gas and electrity. Street cars run to Ekin avenue and will
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doubtless be extended through it to Silver Grove. These lots cannot long be had on the present easy terms, as those most favorably located are rapidly being taken. From the special mention made of this property, it must not be supposed that the principal attention of the firm is confined here; as the agency covers a full share of the best property in New Albany, that is on the market, and those who desire to purchase, sell or rent can safely entrust their business to the above firm. Merrill L. Frederick, the son. is a graduate of the New Albany High school, and was in railroad employ for some time before engaging with his father, as a partner, in 1890. Capt. Frederick & Son have convenient rooms, on the corner of Main and Bank streets, and the South- western Real Estate Agency, has for more than 20 years, conducted a prominent busi- ness in this city, thereby assisting in the steady growth of New Albany from year to year.
HELFRICH'S SILVER HILLS PLAT.
OFFICE SOUTH EAST CORNER BANK AND SPRING STREETS.
With the development of electrical power, the problem of how to utilize the bluffs adjoining the city on the west, became an easy matter for solution, and the ascent of Silver Hills, formerly a difficult task, is now an excursion pleasure. The available area for handsome residence lots in New Albany, having long since been taken, an outlet to fine suburban residential property was furnished by the completion of the Highland Railway in May, 1891; since which there has been a large demand, and many sales negotiated on the Silver Hills Plat. The grounds rise quite abruptly from the foot of New Albany's principal streets, at Falling run, to a height of over 200 feet, where a gently sloping summit ridge, extends with some intervening depressions; rising again to the height of 400 feet at Mooresville, four miles north of the Ohio. The bluffs and plateaus, accessible from the Highland Railway, have at once become desirable and attractive sites for residences, giving in panorama a magnificent view of the Ohio and the Falls cities, and insuring a pure atmosphere. Several handsome residences have been built along this ascent, within a few hundred feet from the city limits. Carriage and foot paths have been terraced, and the electric railway at all times forms an easy and agreeable mode of access. Many who have heretofore resided in the smoke and dust of Louisville and New Albany are now seeking for building sites here, and the price of lots will doubtless be rapidly advanced. The summit plateau is from 700 to 1,500 in width and about 2,000 feet in length, extend- ing from the water works reservoirs southward to the point, the electric railway continuing to the campmeeting grounds and Scenic Park. This peak overlooks the three Falls cities-New Albany, Louisville and Jeffersonville-also the broad valley of the Ohio, which can be traced in the distance. The second elevated ridge to the west and north, some 200 feet higher than Silver Hills, serves as a protection from wind storms and cyclones to the latter. The breezes of pure dry air are constant, making it cooler in the summer and less liable to chilliness in cold weather, in conse- quence of its elevation above the fogs and dampness arising from the river. The res- idents of this plat have all the advantages of city water, electric lights, and, light taxes, and avoid the offensive sights of foul gutters and disagreeable oders of the low ground in the manufacturing sections. This is undoubtedly much healthier than the lowlands, and presenting to constant view, a picture of natural scenery, painted by nature's great artist, there can be found no more romantic or beautiful residence
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OF NEW ALBANY, IND.
plat in all this section of country. Fruits and shrubery grow to perfection here, and elegant homes, abounding in luxury, will doubtless cover these hill sides and tops, in the near future. Philip Helfrich, agent of the above property, has been reared in New Albany, and is prominently connceted with the material advancement of the city.
A. HUNCILMAN & SON, 38 SPRING ST. OWNERS AND DEALERS IN REAL ESTATE.
The progressive dealer in real estate, who advertises the place in which he lives, and seeks for its general development, is a great assistance to the city's upbuilding; as he is not afraid to practice what he preaches. Among those who have been liberal in making improvements for the furtherance of development, Andros Huncilman, who was born and reared in New Albany, is entitled to a full share of credit; for few if any have done more in platting, improving and sale of lots to prospective builders on suburban property. Through his agency the Silver Grove tract was purchased and platted for mayor Morris McDonald; and more than a hundred lots were sold while it was in the hands of Mr. Huncilman. Nine years ago he purchased the five acre homestead at the terminus of Chestnut or Thirteenth street, known as Cedar Bough. This sandy knoll, from which the water flows in all directions, has been divided into 26 lots, 50x125 feet, which are sold for residence property only. A perfect system of sewerage has been put down, several costly residences erected, and the tract will soon be closed out. Jim. J. Huncilman, who became a partner, with his father, in 1890, is a graduate of the N. A. Business College, spent ten years in civil engineer railroad work, in various states, and to the senior partner's experience of 25 years, adds the energy and impulse of youth. The firm makes a specialty of handling choice suburban realty and have for sale or exchange desirable residential, or manu- facturing sites, homes, etc., in various portions of the city and surrounding suburbs. In 1889, with J. F. Gebhart and I. S. Winstandley, Mr. Huncilman purchased a 35 acre tract on the north side, partly in the city, forming the North Park Realty Co. This has since been platted by the above firm, and several thousand dollars ex- pended in grading. building sewers and planting shade trees. Through an inter- secting branch of Falling run it has excellent advantages for drainage. The princi- pal part of the plat is well elevated insuring good sewer grades and healthy sur- roundings. The street railway has been extended to the centre of North Park, and cars make direct connections with all Daisy trains, so that persons engaged in busi- ness across the river, can reside here and reach their Louisville office in 30 minutes. The distance from our court house is but 1}{ miles, and yet these lots are sold at $6 a foot. A number of neat cottages have been erected on the principal streets and other purchasers will soon build.
Oakwood, at the upper terminus of the Highland railway, elevated 200 feet above the city, in one of nature's own parks, was platted a year since. Several lots have been sold here, some improvements made, and as it adjoins the Holiness campmeeting grounds, on the edge of the great Scenic Park, it makes a very romantic and beaut- iful location for summer cottages, at all times accessible through the electric cars. Oakwood is rightly named and will doubtless become a popular resort. The reputa- tion of A. Huneilman & Son, for reliable dealings and liberal terms to customers is too well known to need any comment from the historian.
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N. E. CORNER SPRING AND VINCENNES STS.
Jas. G. Scheller, a native of this city, engaged in real estate transactions about 4 years ago, and Nov. 91, accepted Ephraim Muir, as a partner. Mr. Muir is a native of Penna., resided in New Albany many years ago, and after an absence of 16 years returned to this city in 1887. The firm have a full knowledge of the city, and by their stirring movements, are securing a fare share of business in their line. In common with others, who are in position to know, they report that property is steadily advancing in values; and while we have had no booms-fit word of recent usage to express exaggeration, and inevitable reaction-fortunate- ly for the future, we have a city which can stand upon its real merit, and property, judiciously purchased, has for several years past, almost invariably brought a natural advance, when it again changed hands.
This condition of matters adds to our permanency, more than speculative prices, by which some one must eventually become heavy loosers. The above firm conduct a general real estate agency, and are prepared to satisfactorily transact all business placed in their hands.
W. H. McKAY'S BIG AGENCY. NO. 67, PEARL STREET.
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