USA > Kentucky > Jefferson County > Louisville > Haldeman's picture of Louisville, directory and business advertiser, for 1844-1845 > Part 4
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The Trustees of the town, as directed, commenced the sale of the town lots-originally, half acre lots-under the condition that each purchaser should erect upon his lot, within three years, " a house 16 by 20 feet, with a brick or stone chimney."
Speculation in town lots, dates far before our own immediate time ; and to judge from the history of the early days of Louisville, even Cairg
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or Marion City, may put their heads above water, and breathe again.
The Legislature of Virginia, having been applied to, passed the fol- lowing ' relief law,' in behalf of the first purchasers of town-lots in Louisville.
" Section 1. Whereas, The purchasers of lots in the town of Lou- isville, in the county of Jefferson, from the frequent incursions and dep- redations of the Indiuns, and the difficulty of procuring materials, have not been able to build on their said lots within the time prescrib. ed :-
"Section 2. Be it therefore enacted, That the further time of three years, from the passing of this act, shall be allowed the purchasers of lots, in the town of Louisville, to build upon and save the same."
About this time, it seems that the citizens were sorely afflicted with that abomination of the ancient Israelite, the hog. It would conduce to the comforts of their descendants, and the entire gentile community, if we had a little wholesome legislation on the subject of swine and ponds.
In 1803 the Legislature passed the following law :-
" Whereas, It is represented to the present General Assembly, that a number of persons, residing in the town of Louisville, are in the habit of raising, and are now possessed of a large number of swine, to the great injury of the citizens generally ; and that there are a number of ponds of water in said town, which are a nuisance ;
" Therefore, Be it enacted, That the Trustees have power to remove the same forthwith," &c.
We are in ignorance, as to what degree of success attended the ef- forts of the Trustees to abate the first branch of the alleged nuisance. Certain it is, that most of the ponds have disappeared. Surmising from the facts, almost every where to be met with, not only in the more ob- scure streets and alleys, but upon the most public thoroughfares, whole herds, bearing us witness, we think the law has remained to this day, a dead letter.
The Legislature, having regard to the comforts and wants of this fa- vored spot, passed a law this year, (1800) directing the Trustees to set apart from the taxes collected, twenty-five pounds, currency, towards building a Market House on the Public Square or grounds (?) in the town of Louisville.
It is observable in all the proceedings of the Legislature, that con- stant reference is made to ' Public Squares,' ' Public Lots,' and ' Pub- lic Grounds.' Can any one, at this day, point out these squares and grounds ? The first, and we believe the second plot of the town has disappeared from amongst the archives of the city. All subsequent surveys lay down no reservations, if we except those upon which the Court House and Jail have recently been erected.
We have heard indeed, that many of the present most valuable por- tions of the city were, under the Trusteeship authority, disposed of for the merest trifle. A half acre lot on Main, near Fourth, for exam, ple, being knocked off, by the public crier, for a horse, valued at $20.
It is greatly to be lamented that the ancient worthies of the town had
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so little regard for the few hundred yards of public grounds conferred upon a dense population, as to deprive their descendants, even of the semblance of any. There was indecd, on the first plots, a very con- siderable reservation. A strip of Land, nearly 200 * feet in width, extending along South of Green street, the whole length of the city; from its Eastern to the Western boundary. We have this plot before us, which is in many respects, like Brook's, from which we derive the fact: This reservation, however, shared the fate of all the other reservations. It was divided into four parts and sold; Wm. Johnson becoming the purchaser of No. 1, Wm. Croghan of No. 2, and R. C. Anderson of No. 3, and James Campbell of No. 4, which last, embraced a trian- gular lot, e aining from 40 to 50 acres, lying West and North of Green Street.
It is presumable that the Legislature, (for Legislatures may be moved to the doing of strange acts,) sanctioned this violation of the original plan.
The squares South of Green street acquired their present dimensions by this reservation being added to their front, the entire length of the town, and the lucky speculators 200 feet of front ground, its whole dis- tance; which, even in those days, might be put down as a tolerably fair operation, on re side of private interest ; but by no means judicious on the part of the authorities of the town, if it were legal to submit a a public reservation to sale.
Under the original plan, Green street would have been a magnificent promenade, susceptible of improvement, with broad side-walks and double rows of trees ; rendering it, altogether, one of the most beauti- ful streets in the Union-whereas, by this encroachment on its privi- leges and original metes and bounds, it is less desirable than any parallel street in the city. It is scarcely worth while to indulge in regrets, for we take it for granted that what has been done, must remain as done ; still we incline to the opinion that it was a deed, that 'twere better to have left undone.
In the early days of the town, there were many large ponds of wa- ter in almost every direction, some of which were very useful to the early settler, as affording a sufficient supply of water for manufacturing purposes, and served also for washing, it being a difficult task to obtain water from the river, in sufficient quantities, in consequence of a deep
* In reference to the lost plan of the city, as originally laid off, the Legislature, December 11, 1801, enacted as follows :
Whereas, It is represented to the Gen. Assembly, that much injury and confusion may arise from the manner in which the sts. are laid off by the old plan, and that the original plans or plots have been lost or mislaid, &c., the trustees are therefore directed to have a new plan made. This was executed by Mr. Brooks; and on this plan, the reservation on Green street is preserved. The Assembly then say, in the act before quoted, " That if upon a re-survey of said town, it shall appear that the streets, as they are now laid off, are in their proper places, by beginning at No. 1, upon the new plan, (of half-acre lots,) they shall be, and hereby are es- tablished. If it be found there is not a sufficiency of ground to make up each claimant or purchaser his half-acre lot between any cross streets, the surveyor so employed shall designate upon the plan, the square, and quantity deficient therein." The plan by Brooks, preserves the strip on Green street ; but he, or some later surveyor, divides the strip into four parts, as stated, and they have become private property.
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ravine which made the road to the landing circuitous, and often almost impassable.
The boatmen were in the habit of strewing quantities of straw, hay and brush-wood, when boards could not be obtained, along the bank, where they made fast, and on this would put their cargo, and the citizens came and purchased, as they wanted. For many years after the town was laid out, there were no store houses nearer the water than Main street.
The first brick house built in Louisville, was by Mr. Kaye, the fath- er of his honor, the present Mayor of the city, between 5th and 6th streets, on Market street. This was in 1789.
It is related to us, by the Mayor, now in the prime of life, that he has often hunted the wild turkey, on the grounds where the present cen- tre Market House stands. The town at that period contained, proba- bly, from 1,000 to 1,500 inhabitants. The youthful sportsman has lived to become the Chief Magistrate of the same town, with a popula- tion of 30,000, and to occupy a public building, in his official capaci- ty, that has probably cost six times as much as the whole town, im- provements and personal effects of its inhabitants were valued at.
There are some amusing reminisences of Gravson's Pond. We have it from a citizen, who well remembers the outlines of this pond. Great numbers of tortoise or small turtle, were found about this pond. Thith- er, also, came to enjoy its luxuries, large flocks of geese and ducks. The battles between these different tribes are described as being very amusing. The turtle would take to the water and skull along very silently, and settling beneath the surface, await the approach of the duck; at a sudden, he would seize the duck by his feet and draw him under water. The struggle generally resulted in favor of the feathered combatant, wbo, on regaining the surface would set up such shouts as to collect the whole flock around him in a grand congratulatory quack- ing convention.
This pond, well shaded by the native forest trees, became a favorite resort of many, to while away the hours of a sultry day on its banks. It was always clear, and had a sufficient depth of water, the dryest sea- von, to swim a horse in.
Another pond, at this period, (1800) and a very disagreeable one, was be met with at the intersection of 3rd and Market streets, extending along Third street to nearly opposite the site of the present post office. A Tannery on Third street, which discharged its waste-water into this pond, rendered it, at times, nearly impassable, except by mounting a rail-fence, which enclosed the lot where the White Mansion now stands. The wagons from the country often stalled at this point.
Amongst the proceedings of the Trustees of the town, we extract the following, as illustrative of the character of the times, for prudent fore- sight in guarding the citizens from impending evil.
"Dec. 18, 1811. Whereas, It being represented to the Board, by number of citizens, that the chimney, (lately damaged by the earth- quake or shock,) of the house in which Dennis Fitzhugh, Esquire, now lives, and which is propped up with plank, is dangerous :-
" It is ordered, That the same be taken down by said Fitzhugh, with- in 24 hours, under the penalty of fifteen dollars."
We fancy, if the town, at that day, had been honored with half the legal talent that shines forth in it at present, this would have been a mooted question, whether Mr. Fitzhugh was ordered to pull down his chimney, the prop of plank, or both ; and for failing to do both, or nei- ther, he was to be muleted in the fine of fifteen dollars.
In the year 1805, the General Assembly passed a law releasing those citizens from working on the public highways of the town, who should pay into the treasury an equivalent of 75 cents in money.
The comforts attending paved streets, were not extensively enjoyed by the citizens, until the year 1812, when a commencement was made on Main street. The Legislature, in that year, authorized the paving of this street, from (in the language of the act) " Cross, No. 3, to Cross street No. 6."
So wonderful an undertaking did not escape the notice of the coun- try people. An amusing anecdote, related of an honest Scotch farmer, who sold his surplus produce to the swamp and water entrenched citi- zens, will close this chapter.
A respectable citizen (now living and universally esteemed,) was su- perintending the paving of Main street. The ploughs were turning up broad furrows 'between Cross street, No. 3, and Cross street, No. 6,' when our country gentleman made his appearance, and with a doubt- ful look and broad accent said enquiringly, " Tut man, and what'll ye be doing here ?
He was told that the street was to be paved.
" Paved, do ye say ! varry weel, varry weel ! in troth I'm glad o'it, for my cattle ha'e mickle a do to ga'e thro' at a'times, and a wee load to boot; when its done I'll wallingly pay my peart on't."
It is scarcely necessary to add that the street was paved, as directed by the act of Assembly, and the citizens were able to pay for the job without a tax on the generous countryman,
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CHAPTER II.
The city of Louisville is built on an elevated plane, 70 feet above low water mark, gently undulating and declining as we recede from the river, Southward, to its Southern border. The spirit of modern im -. provement has been lamentably employed in cutting down and remov. ing all those natural mounds and swells, originally just of sufficient el. evation to give variety, beauty and cleanliness to the streets.
The site of the city is upon the second bank, and above the chances of an overflow. During the great rise in 1832, the river rose to the first stories of the houses on water street, but yet, not to within 30 feet of the mean elevation of Main street, on the second bank.
The position of the city, surrounded as it was originally, by swamps, ponds and sluggish creeks, rendered it, until within twenty years, very unhealthy. These local causes of disease have been entirely overcome and removed. By the comparative table of mortality, which will be found on the tenth page of this work, it is manifestly now as healthy a a town as any in the new or old world; the mortality being only about two per cent. of the resident population.
The city is regularly laid out on a plan similar to that of Philadel- phia, having eight broad and beautiful streets, running East and West, and parallel with the river, from 1} to 2 miles in length, and from 60 to 120 feet in breadth. These are intersected at right angles, by more than 30 cross streets, all 60 feet wide.
The streets parallel with the river are named in the following order: Water, Main, Market, Jefferson, Green, Grayson, Walnut, Chesnut, and Broadway,
It is difficult to determine by what rule the original founders of the city were guided, when they commenced numbering the cross streets .- First cross street is the third street East from the divisional centre ; con- sequently, 14 numerical streets are cast West of the centre into the Western district, and three numerical and the numerous others, variously designated, are, in like manner, cast into the Eastern district. This is all quite intelligible to residents, but to strangers and sojourners amongst us, it is worse than confusion confounded. It is perhaps too late to correct the evil, if it be one. We must endeavor to make it as plain and easy to the comprehension as we can in our directory.
Beargrass creek enters the Ohio, near the centre of the city. Five bridges cross this creek, viz :- at Clay, Preston, Brook, Second and Third streets. The course of this creek is along, and nearly parallel with the Ohio, on the North front of the city, to Third street, where' it forms a junction with the Ohio, rendering it a commodious and safe har- bor for keel and flat boats, in times of high water, from the drift and ice. The point of land projecting between the Beargrass and the Ohio,
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affords one of the best landings in the city. A large and splendid block of stores, occupy nearly the whole space from Second to Third streets. At the foot of Third street, across the bridge, the United States' Mail Boats have their station, and from which they leave daily for Cincin- nati and the East.
Beargrass creek is susceptible of great improvement. At the present time, its banks are, for a long distance, lined with lumber-yards, mills, foundries, rope-walks, &c. &c .; and if a single lock of 6 feet lift were - constructed at its mouth, (and it is generally conceded that this elevation will cause no overflow of the low lands South of the city,) the advan- tages to those occupying sites on its margin, would be incalculable.
The immense quantity of coal consumed by the various foundries, manufactories and families, (amounting to a million and a quarter bush- els, annually) and the produce brought down the river by keel and flat boats, might all be taken through the lock, and have a most secure and easy landing along the entire North-East front of the city.
Let any one skeptical on this subject, take his stand on Brook street bridge and cast his eye over the scene. Nature has effected more than her half of the work in cutting a broad and even channel the whole distance. Let not man falter in the performance of the remaining part, and thereby secure an advantage possessed by no city on the Western waters, viz: an outer landing of more than 4000 feet, already paved, and an interior landing of still greater extent.
This improvement effected, and all the various manufacturing estab- lishments now in operation on its borders, and those that would be erected, could receive all the supplies of raw material, and send by the same channel, all the products of their various manufactories, at half the expense and far greater facility, than by the present mode. With these suggestions we leave the subject.
Louisville, at the period of obtaining her charter, as a city in 1828, had risen rapidly in population, wealth and commercial importance .- The following tables mark the increase in the valuation of city proper- ty at four different periods.
In the year 1809, the valuation stood thus :-
Valuation of town lots, (now the city) $97,688.
Amount of taxes assessed,
$991 30
1809. Collected as follows :- On lots,
$488
Improvements, 227 62
134 white tithes 37 cts.
90 37
107 black do.
3
139 horses, 8
11 12
2 tavern licenses $5,
10
9 retail stores, 10,
90
2 billiard tables, 10, 20
16 carriage wheels, 25,
4 -- $941 11
In a period of only 30 years from this, $60,000 was assessed.
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PROGRESSIVE INCREASE.
1821. Valuation of ground and improvements, $1,189,664 Assessed taxes on same,
$4,637 68
On 14 first rate retail stores, $30,
420
27 second rate do. do. 20,
540
7 third rate do. do:
10,
70
26 tavern licenses,
10,
260
70 carriage wheels,
50 cts.,
35
2 billiard tables, 17,
34
$5,996 68
AMOUNT OF TAXES ASSESSED FOR 1844, $60,000, and in the fol- lowing manner, viz :-
1844. For the Western District, value of ground,
$2,669,639
Value of Improvements,
1,331,400
Slaves,
328,785
Pleasure carriages,
9,250
White tithes,
1,970
Black tithes,
698
Free black tithes,
65
For the Eastern District, value of ground,
3,537,996
Value of Improvements,
1,425,726
Slaves,
297,675
Pleasure carriages,
13,961
White tithes,
2,181
Black do.
660
Free black tithes,
83
$9,620,089
The city Ievies a tax of 62} cents on the $100, 12} cents of which. goes to the school fund and 2 cents to the support of the poor. The State levies a tax of fifteen cents on the $100, making 77} cents on the $100 taxation. Twenty per cent, ad valorem, may be assessed for the support of public schools, and 10 per cent, ad valorem, for the support of the poor of the city.
From the year 1835 to 1838, the increase was computed to have been 7000. About this period, city property had attained, by the con- tinued influx of population and the spirit of speculation, which pervad- ed all ranks, not only in this city, but throughout the length and breadth of the land, to its highest valuation. Much that had been taken on speculation at the highest rates, was improved. Men engaged in com- mercial pursuits professional men, and those in retirement on comfort- able incomes, were led to participate in the general presse for accumu- lating wealth by a coup de main. The result is known and felt as ex- tonsively as the prevalence of the error. A panic seized on the public mind; the value of real estate, inflated by speculation, and the facili- ties of bank credit, began to decline, and with its decline, the entire
community was more or less affected ; business of every description was depressed and a general bankruptcy threatened whole communities.
It cannot be denied or palliated, that Louisville shared with her sister cities of the West and East, her full proportion. The period of calam- ity, however, we trust has passed, and all will have been taught a lesson not soon to be forgotten. We may speak confidently, so far as this community is concerned, that a most healthy re-action has began to manifest itself in all the ramifications of the business of the city .- Every where, we behold evidences of returning prosperity and the sur- est guarantees of profitable employment of capital, by full storehou- ses, activity amongst manufacturers and mechanics, and the erection of a vast number of new buildings.
Before the Canal around the Falls was constructed, Louisville en- joyed a large commission business. Numerous houses were engaged solely in receiving and forwarding the vast quantities of merchandize and produce that was destined, alike for consumption on the waters above and below the Falls and throughout the West. This gave life and activity to the place, and presented to the superficial observer, the semblance of a large and profitable business. Men who could secure a comfortable subsistance by the amount of commissions received, were indisposed to enter into the business of buying and selling; hence, up- on the completion of the Canal, consignments to the forwarding hous- es were few-for boats, instead of unloading here and sending their cargoes down for re-shipment, nearly all passed through the Canal, cut off a business that gave employment to a great many houses, and hun- dreds of drays, carriages and artisans of every name and calling, it is not surprising that Louisville experienced, in a double ratio, a reverse of fortune. The Canal was finished in 1833. From that period up to 1837 and 1838, the storm was gathering which, it has been seen, at this period, prostrated many of the oldest houses, and nearly all were more or less subjected to trials, as it were, by fire. Though prostrate, they were not crushed. Apathy is not a characteristic of the citizens of the West. Like the native oaks of their forests, bending to the sweeping tornado, when the fury of the blast is expended, they regain their natural position, and spread again their branches to the light and warmth of the returning sunshine.
To drop all metaphor-the trade and business of Louisville was doubtless, greatly changed, or thrown into other channels and other hands, by the operations of the Canal. The ' Forwarding and Com- mission ' houses were idle and deserted-hundreds of drays were thrown out of employment, and consequent upon this state of things, rents fell, real estate declined, credit was impaired, and the most stable establish- ments quailed before the gathering storm.
The period has been passed, and now we may look, almost in vain, for any traces of the effects produced by events, so hastily sketched.
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CHAPTER III.
Our narrative now approaches a period so recent, as scarcely to admit of novelty ; more especially, as, perhaps, to most persons, the facts and incidents related, will be found to be little else than chronicles of their own times. Still, it may be, that they will not be regarded with less interest on that account.
The outlines of the picture have been hastily, though we would fain hope not unfaithfully, drawn. What follows may not inappropriately be said to constitute its lights and shadows and coloring, if the reader may so characterise the eulogistic language in which we indulge on a survey of the whole ground. Eulogy to be just, must be truthful; and truth is at all times admissible, though it may bear a seeming resemblance to self-complacency.
The full results of the toil, hardship and self-denial of the hardy pio- neer, in the settlement of a new country, cannot be seen or known by those of his own day. He labors much for posterity in laboring for himself. The acorn a man plants, will germinate and send up a tree that lives and flourishes long after his own body shall have mouldered beneath its green branches
In the preceding pages, it will have been seen, by the acts of the Legislature, which we have in some cases given at length, that, although surrounded by dangers and difficulties, and far away from the succor of kindred and friends, those who constituted the colony in "78 maintained themselves, and prospered, in spite of all these natural and circumstan- tial hindrances.
The present chapter will conclude with a rapid glance at the various improvements, manufacturing establishments, &c., &c., which have come under our notice, and which are more particularly attended to under the head of statistics.
The task in collecting statistics, has been laborious, and attended by many difficulties. Throughout, however, we have been met in the kindest manner and spirit, by the proprietors of the various manufactu- ring establishments which have been visited ; and by those of the mer- cantile community, from whom many important facts have been derived. With scarcely an exception, our inquiries have met with ready response.
The brief space of time occupied in making up the matter for these pages, must supply an excuse, if any be needed, for the unsystematic order of our statistics. The facts, where given, it is believed, may be taken as such. The suggestions and remarks often introduced, seem to have been called for by the circumstances, and must be allowed to pass
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