USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > Directory of city of Detroit, 1845 > Part 1
USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > Directory of city of Detroit, 1845 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
1800
1
ERRATA.
In the hurry of publication, several errors and omissions es- caped attention. The following is a list of the most important: OMISSIONS.
Dunning D., propietor of Wells's Express-office Morse's Book Store-r. Fort st. corner of Cass st.
Detroit Brewery, First st. near Congress.
Emerson Curtis, brewer, b. J. H. Morris's
ERRORS.
For Pitcher Dr. Lina, read Pitcher Dr. Zina.
For Mizner R. B., read Mizner Lansing B .- and for Mizner L. R., read Mizner H. R. and b. L. B. Mizner's
Page 98-First Judicial Circuit-County of Monroe-for Third Tuesday of April, read Second Tuesday of April.
Page 99-Third Judicial Circuit-County of Kent-for the Oc- tober Term, read the Third Tuesday of that month.
DIRECTORY
OF THE
CITY OF DETROIT; AND
REGISTER OF MICHIGAN,
FOR THE YEAR 1845.
CONTAINING
An Epitomised History of Detroit ; an Alphabetical List of its Citizens ; a List of the officers of the Municipal Government ; the officers of the United States, and the State officers and members of the Legislature of Michigan : also, every infor- mation relative to the time and place at which the several Courts sit throughout the State ; with a List of Churches, Associations, Institutions, County Officers, &c., &c., &c.
BY JAMES H. WELLINGS.
(COPY RIGHT SECURED.)
DETROIT : PRINTED BY HARSHA & WILLCOX. 1845.
May be had of the Publisher, Jefferson Avenue, (North side ) West of Brush Street.
F574 .14 W39
D.m. 19 19:00
-2541
A LIST OF OFFICERS EMPLOYED ON THE CENTRAL RAILROAD. :
NAMES
TITLES OF THEIR OFFICE.
SALARY.
John M. Berrien,
Chief Engineer, Assistant Engineer,
$1000
R. H. Merry,
do. do.
600
H. N. Thielson,
do. do.
600
G. N. Turner,
do. do.
600
Samuel Stone,
Secretary of Board Internal Improv'nt 700
500
Charles A. Emerson,
Clerk Board Internal Imp. Office do. do.
500
Thomas Frazer,
General Agent
600
Daniel Munger,
Collector
600
John McReynolds,
do.
600
H. I. Spalding,
do.
700
George Gibson,
James Watkins,
Weighmaster, Detroit
500
J. Dort,
do.
Dearborn
350
A. J. Larou,
do. Ypsilanti
500
Charles Thayer,
do.
Ann Arbor
500
David Wilcox,
do.
Dexter
350
M. T. Davison,
do. Davison
350
Thomas G. Davis,
do.
Grass Lake
350
Wm. D. Thompson,
do. Jackson
500
Russel Ford,
do Gulleys
350
Stephen Blodget,
do. Albion
350
Bartholomew Banks,
do.
Marshall
500
George Granger,
Watchman at Detroit
$1 pr. day.
A LIST OF PERSONS EMPLOYED ON THE SOUTHERN RAILROAD.
NAMES.
TITLLES OF THEIR OFFICE. SALARY .
Joseph H. Cleveland,
Superintendent
$800
Seba Murphy,
Collector Monroe
600
R. Robinson,
do. Adrian
400
Rockwell Manning,
do. Hillsdale
400
W. W. Prentice,
Conductor
$1 pr. day. do.
D. McDonald,
do.
J. S. Kingsland,
Superintendent machinery and cars $2 pr day.
600
Wm. F. Chittenden,
Superintendent Machinery and Cars do. Car shop
700
C. P. Kellogg,
800
H. Thielson,
BOUNDARIES OF THE WARDS.
FIRST WARD .- All west of the centre line of Shelby, and south of the centre of Michigan avenue.
SECOND WARD .- All south of the centres of Monroe and Michigan avenues, and between the centres of Shelby and Randolph streets.
THIRD WARD .- All south of Croghan street, and between the centre lines of Randolph and St. Antoine streets.
FOURTH WARD .- All east of the centre line of St. Antione street, and south of Gratiot Road.
FIFTH WARD .- All north of the centre of Michigan ave- nue, and west of the centres of Woodward avenue and the Saginaw turnpike.
SIXTH WARD .- All east of the centre of Woodward ave- nue, north of the centres of Monroe avenue, Croghan street, and Gratiot road, and west of the centre line of St. Antoine street.
ALPHEUS WIGHT, LIVERY STABLES,
Corner Woodbridge and Bates Streets.
A. WIGHT respectfully informs the public that he still keeps Carria- ges and Horses for hire. He also keeps Horses by the night, week or month on reasonable terms.
PREFACE.
Upwards of seven years have elapsed since the publication of a "Detroit City Directory," which, it is believed, was the first, as well as the last, of the kind ever presented to the Public. This interval of time, though brief, has been an eventful one, not only to this community, but also to the citi- zens of the whole of these United States.
It will be recollected, by the most of our readers, that a short time after that scourge of Heaven, the cholera, disap- peared, we were visited by another malady, viz : the mania of wild speculation, which affected alike, men of all classes, and, though not so fatal to human life, as the cholera, yet it threatened to sweep from our midst, with the resistless fury of a tornado, all that was morally good and estimable. Some of our own citizens, during this period, passed through a sea of trouble, realizing the vicissitudes of fortune, and learning by bitter experience, the truth of the holy writ, "They that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare."
Though the growth of the City of Detroit, may have re- ceived a temporary check, from the effects of that spirit of wild speculation, already alluded to, yet we think its manifest improvement of late, and the increase of its trade and com- merce, are such, as to demand for it " A correct Directory for the guidance of the resident inhabitant, the commercial visi- tor, or the enquiring emigrant and traveller."
Having ascertained that the above was the opinion of many of the most respectable citizens, by a liberal subscription list, in support of the work, the publisher commenced collecting and preparing his materials for the press, which, after about four months continued labor, he has, by a kind Providence, been enabled to bring to a close.
Of the manner in which he has acquitted himself in the discharge of his duty to his subscribers, they alone must be the judges. That it will be found to contain many errors and defects, he is fully sensible, and would here bespeak for himself, the patience and indulgence of his patrons, upon which he fears, he will have to make too large draughts.
1
2
DIRECTORY
The publisher would beg leave respectfully to add that in the beginning of his labors, he took for his guidance, a rule from an "Old Directory," the Bible, which commands him, " Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." In obedience to this beautiful and simple rule, and stimulated by a recollection of the liberal encouragement he met with from his subscribers, he believes he has endeavored to be faithful, and has spared, neither pains, nor labor, to pre- sent such a book, to his kind patrons, as will give no just cause of regret, for the trust they have reposed in him.
To those ladies and gentlemen, who so politely furnished him with such information, [as the furtherance of the work required, the publisher begs leave to return his grateful acknowledgements.
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
DETROIT CITY AND PORT OF ENTRY, Wayne county, and Capital of the State of Michigan, is situated on the west bank of the river Detroit, 18 miles above Lake Erie, 7 miles below the outlet of Lake St. Clair, 302 W. from Buffalo, and 545 from Washington, Lat. 42 degrees 19 minutes 53 seconds, North, and Lon. west, 82 deg. 58 sec. or from Washington west 5 deg. 56 min. 12 sec. Difference in time from Wash- ington, 23 min. 44 seconds, New York city, 34 min. 48 sec.
The site of the city is an elevation of about thirty feet above the level of the river. The plan of the town, upon the river and for 1200 feet back is rectangular ; in the rear of this triangular, the streets are from fifty to 200 feet wide. Four roads, constructed by the general government, termin- ate in the centre of the city ; the Chicago, leading to Illinois ; the Saginaw, to the head of Saginaw Bay ; the Fort Gratiot, to the foot of Lake Huron, and the Grand River, to Lake Michigan at the mouth of Grand River. There is, also, a United States road leading from Detroit to Ohio.
Detroit River is about 25 miles long; average breadth, 1 1-10 mile ; average depth, six fathoms ; current, two miles an hour.
The climate of Detroit is temperate ; snow falls at from six to eighteen inches deep, and never remains more than a few weeks. The transition from the cold of spring to the heat of summer is rapid ; from summer to winter gradual and prolonged. As general characteristics, the spring is wet and prolonged ; summer dry ; autumn mild ; winter cold and dry. The average temperature in the spring is 50 of Fahrenheit ; summer, 80 ; winter, 20; autumn, 60 to 65.
The history of Detroit is connected with the principal events which have transpired in the Northwest since the set- tlement of the country. Founded in the strife for sovereign- ty between the English and French governments, it became at an early day, a point of central influence and action. "No place in the United States," it has been observed, "presents
4
DIRECTORY
such a series of events, interesting in themselves, and perma- nently affecting as they occurred, its progress and prosperity. Five times its flag has been changed, three different sove- reigns have claimed its allegiance, and since it has been held by the United States, its government has been thrice transfer- red ; twice it has been beseiged by the Indians, once captured in war, and once burnt to the ground."
The date, however, of the political existence of Michigan as a territory of the United States, is 1805. William Hull was appointed the first Governor, with a judiciary, and organ- ized a government at Detroit, in July of that year. He found the town little more than a scene of ruins, having been recently destroyed by fire. Advantage was taken of this cir- eustance to widen the streets, and lay it out on an entirely new and enlarged plan. During the last war. Detroit foll into the hands of the enemy. in ISIe. It was retaken by the American army in ISIS, and the government of the terri- tory re-organized late in the autumn of that year, by the appointment of Gen. Lewis Cass, as Governor. At this time the population was small. the resources few, and the people impoverished by the losses of the war.
With every natural facility of becoming a place of impor- tance, the condition of Detroit, for many years, depended on the precarious support afforded by the fur trade, the disburse- ments of public moneys, while a military post, and the liberal appropriations by government for public objects. The im- pulse and effect produced by the settlement and cultivation of the surrounding country, was wanting. This, though recent in Michigan, is now commeneed, and is rapidly increasing. The causes of prosperity, now in action, their results, we show here, as they have recently been manifested elsewhere.
The old town of Detroit occupied a site below or west of the centre of the present town ; it was built entirely of wood. the streets were narrow, being economised to diminish the circuit of the stockade, by which it was secured. In June. 1805, the town was almost entirely consumed by tire. Short- ly after this catastrophe, an act of Congress was passed di- recting the Governor and Judges, then exercising legislative powers, to lay out a new town, including the site of the one destroyed and ten thousand acres of adjacent land. The aet directs that a lot should be granted to every owner or oc- cupant of a house in the old town, and the proceeds of the re- mainder applied to the erection of a court house and jail. It is from this fund, thus accruing, that the present publie build-
5
OF DETROIT.
ings have been erected in this city. The trust arising under the act, it is believed, is not yet closed. The destruction of the old town was fortunate that it led to the adoption of a plan, botter adapted to a city, such as Detroit is no doubt destined to become.
The City of Detroit was incorporated by an act, passed by the Governor and Judges, on the 4th day of October, 1815. By this act the municipal authority was invested in five trust- cos, a secretary, an assessor, a collector and a city marshal, who were to be chosen on the first day in May, annually, by the freeholders or householders of the city paying an annu- al rent of forty dollars, and such other persons, who should be admitted to the freedom of the corporation, by a majority of the electors at their annual meeting.
This act of incorporation was superseded in 1824, by a new charter from the legislative council; and which has since undergone so many amendments that but few, if any, of its original provisions remain. The charter election is now held on the First Monday of March. No property qualifica- tion is required to constitute a "freeman " of the city.
1
6
DIRECTORY
CHURCHES.
There are eleven Churches in Detroit : three Catholic, (be- sides one now building)-one Episcopalian-one Presbyteri- an-one Scotch Presbyterian-two Methodist-two Baptist, and one German Lutheran.
CATHEDRAL OF ST. ANNE.
This edifice stands in Larned street, between Bates and Randolph streets. It is built of hammered granite, of an ex- cellent quality, and measures 116 feet by 60 feet in the clear, The style of the building is Roman Doric, finished in front with two steeples, ornamented with Iron crosses. On the cen- tre of the roof is an octagonal dome, 30 feet high and 30 feet in diameter. The orchestra, situate immediately over the front door, contains one of the largest organs in the United States.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY.
This church which is situate on Michigan Grand avenue, corner of Bates street, is a plain frame building with a steeple, measures 80 feet by 40 feet and is found to be too small for its present congregation.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
The Church of St. Mary stands on the corner of Croghan and St. Antoine streets. The crection of this building was commenced in 1841 and though not yet completed, it has been used for religious worship by the congregation since June, 1843. It is intended to finish the building by the addition of a belfry and steeple with the least possible delay. This edifice is a plain substantial brick building. Its extreme length is 125 feet by 60 feet wide. The Sanctuary is 30 feet wide by 25 feet long, octagon form; on each side of the sanctuary there is a vestry room, 15 feet square. The general style of the building is the Roman and Tuscan, and the whole of the interior is finished in the plainest manner.
7
OF DETROIT.
ST. PETER'S CHURCH.
The site of the Church of St. Peter, is on the north side of Jefferson avenue, the corner of St. Antoine street. The cor- ner stone of this capacious structure was laid on the 29th day of June, 1844. The Right Rev'd. P. P. Lefevere, Catholic Bishop of Detroit, officiating on the occasion. The building is to be of brick of a superior quality, 160 feet in length by 81 feet wide, the walls of which are already carried up several feet above the foundation. To the east of the Church and con- necting therewith, is to be erected the Bishop's house with suitable offices. The entire range of buildings when completed will occupy one block from Jefferson avenue to Larned street abutting on St. Antoine street on the west.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
SAINT PAUL'S CHURCH is situated in Woodward Avenue, between Larned and Congress streets. Its order of Architec- ture is Gothic. The body of the building is brick, and meas- ures, exclusive of the vestry room, 90 feet by 50 feet. The front is flanked with a buttress at each angle, with two regu- lar offsets, crowned and ornamented with a spiral roof, trian- gular caps, crockets and balls. The height of the buttress to the top of the spiral roof is 54 feet. The front entrance is a Gothic door, handsomely ornamented with two columns on each side, which group and meet in the centre of the arch above. On each side of the door is a Gothic window, orna- mented with an architrave trefoil band. The tower to the top of the pinnacles is 115 feet in height, and 18 feet square at its base. It is composed of two sections-the first finished with a block cornice and battlement ballustrade ; and the sec- ond section finished with a large cove cornice and castelated ballustrade. The pinnacles that finish the top of this section are two feet und a half square, and twenty-two feet high, crowned and ornamented with a spiral roof, triangular caps, crockets and balls. The flanks of the building contain five Gothic windows, each finished with a pannel ballustrade .- The inside contains three galleries-the pulpit and orchestra in the rear, and a superior organ with four stops. The galle- eies are supported with well finished quatrefoil columns.
The whole presents an imposing appearance, and reflects much credit on the architect.
8
DIRECTORY
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This Church is situated on Woodward avenue, at the cor- ner of Larned street.
Its extreme length is one hundred feet. Length, exclusive of the portico, ninety feet. Breadth of the house, 60 feet. The general style of the house is Grecian. In front is a ped- iment, supported by six Doric columns, 24 feet in height. The house is built of brick, with two side galleries, a spa- cious orchestra, and a large Library room in the rear. The number of pews is a hundred and forty six. The pulpit, which is an open one, stands in the rear, and the orchestra in front.
The steeple is a hundred and thirty feet in height, and con- sists of three sections-a base, a belfrey, and a dial section, with a spire thirty feet in height. Cost of the house, exclu- sive of the land, $25,000. This edifice is deemed one of the best churches in the Western States ; and by those who have seen the inside, the beauty and finish of the building have been often noticed. It is arched, and the arch is divided into four panels, enclosing a quadrangle, which overhangs the centre of the floor. The quadrangle is ornamented with two elegant centre pieces, from each of which is suspended a bronzed chandelier.
SCOTCH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This Church is situate on the corner of Bates and Farmer streets. It is a new frame building, 71 feet long by 41 wide, and was opened, for religious worship, October, 1844.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church is situated on Wood- ward avenue, corner of Congress street. It is a neat, plain edifice, but, being found too small for the congregation, a second Methodist Episcopal Church, of Detroit, has been organized, who meet for worship, at the United States Court Room, or elsewhere, until a suitable building can be erected for their accommodation.
COLORED M. E. CHURCH.
This building is a small frame, formerly belonging to the city, which was liberally presented to the above congrega- tion, and is at present located on Fort, west of Beaubien st.
9
OF DETROIT.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Baptist Church stands on an elevated site at the corner of Fort and Griswold streets. It is plain, substantial and well proportioned brick building, 70 feet in length and 50 feet in width, with a steeple and dome of considerable ar- chitectural beauty. The general style of the building is Ionic. The steeple is divided into three sections, a base, a belfry and a dial-the first is square, the second is part octagon, suspen- ded on the corner by pilasters, recessed back on the sides, and supported by fluted Ionic columns ; and the third is octagon supported by pilasters. Each section is encompassed by an open balustrade, supported by a pedestal on the angles, and capped with a handsome urn. The whole is crowned with a magnificent dome, the top of which is 100 feet from the ground. Three doors in front form the entrance. The interior con- tains a spacious gallery, a pulpit, and 68 pews on the first floor. The pulpit. which is an open one, is supported by Ionic columns, having semi circular stairs, ascending on both sides, and is thrown back into the hall by an arched niche, standing between the two doors leading from the hall into the Church. The ceiling is an eliptic arch, with a large sunk panel, in the centre of which there is a centre for suspending a chandelier.
AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
This a neat frame building, standing on Fort street, be- tween Beaubien and St. Antoine streets, and was built by the voluntary contributions of the citizens generally. The Church and congregation assembling there, by the help of their friends, have since raised the building and fitted up the basement,"where they have an excellent day school, under the supervision of the Board of Education, taught by the minister, Elder Wm. Munroe.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This Church is situated on Monroe Avenue, the corner of Farrar street. It is now about seven years since it was erected. It is a plain, handsome, wood building, 50 feet long and 35 feet wide. It was erected by subscription, to which the citizens of every denomination liberally and cheerfully contributed.
10
DIRECTORY
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, &c. THE STATE HOUSE,
Was orignally built for the District Court of the United States, and the Legislative Council of the Territory, is of brick, and measures 90 feet by 60 feet. The general style of this building is Ionic. In front is a portico supported by six columns. The entablature on the sides is supported by pilasters. The steeple is crowned with a dome and is about 140 feet high. The basement story is divided into offices for the officers of the State government. The first floor contains the Hall of the House of Representatives, Governor's room, «library, and office of the clerk of the House of Representa- tives. On the second floor is the Senate Chamber, office of the Clerk of the Senate and the Committee Rooms of both Houses.
THE STATE BUILDING,
GRISWOLD STREET.
This edifice, sometime known as the Detroit Female Sem- inary, now belongs to the State of Michigan, and is occupied by the offices of the Auditor General, State Treasurer, Board of Internal Improvement, &c. The Court of Chancery, and the Supreme Court, also, hold their Courts in this building.
It is a plain, substantial brick building, 56 feet in front, by 40 deep, situated on a rise of ground in Griswold street, in one of the pleasantest parts of the city.
WAYNE COUNTY BUILDING,
CORNER GRISWOLD AND CONGRESS STREETS.
This is a new, substantial, two story brick building, 32 feet in front, by 80 feet deep, erected in 1844, and expected to be finished the ensuing spring. The first story is to be occupied as offices, by the different County Officers, and the second story contains a Court Room, 50 feet long by 30 feet wide, with a Jury Room and Grand Jury Room. The contractors for this building are Messrs. Jackson & Perry, of this city.
THE CITY HALL,
Is a two story brick building with hammered stone base- ment, and is 100 feet long and fifty feet in width. The height of the first story is 16 feet, and from the base to the top of the cornice, 36 feet-on the front of the roof there is a
11
. OF DETROIT.
handsome cupola. The principal entrance is from the public square. The first story is occupied by the city market and clerk's office-and the second story is a spacious Hall. The building was erected in the year 1835, and cost about $20,000.
UNITED STATES BUILDING,
JEFFERSON AVENUE, CORNER GRISWOLD STREET.
This edifice was erected in 1837, by the late Bank of Mich- igan, and bought at auction for the United States, the 12th of December, 1842, for the sum of $32,000.
It is a handsome building, 57 feet by 40 feet square ; the architecture is of the chaste Grecian style, the two fronts be- ing composed of polished stone.
It has two full stories and a basement. The basement is occupied as the Post Office. The main, or first story, is oc- cupied as the United States Court Room and Marshal's Office, the second story is occupied as offices for District Judge, At- torney, Clerk, and a Jury Room. The Court Room is capa- cious, the ceiling 17 feet high.
The building was erected under the direction of Mr. Charles Lum, of this city.
WATER.
The city is supplied with water from the Detroit river by means of a hydraulic establishment, erected on Atwater street, in the southeast part of the city. These works were so far finished as to come into operation in May, 1841.
The tank, or reservoir, which contains the water, is of cast iron, 60 feet diameter, and 20 feet deep, secured with strong iron bands, bolts and rivets, enclosed with a frame building, 65 feet diameter, 24 feet high, conical roof, and sup- ported by a circular brick building, 62 feet diameter, at an elevation of 47 feet from its foundation. This tank is suppli- ed daily by means of a steam engine, the pump of which is fixed 7 feet below the surface of the river and is found fully adequate to furnish an abundant supply of pure and whole- some water to the whole city.
Connected with these works, there are laid down 4 miles of iron pipe, 10 miles of tamarick logs and 50 fire plugs, or hy- drants, at an expense to the city, for the whole, of about $120,000.
The plan of these works was designed by, and executed under the direction of, Mr. Noah Sutton, of this city.
12
DIRECTORY
MUSEUM, OR CABINET OF CURIOSITIES,
BY DR. CAVALLI,
Franklin street, east of St. Antoine street.
The above named gentleman, who is a member of the Na- tional Institute, having made the tour of Europe and Egypt, · has collected, at considerable labor and expense a cabinet of ancient curiosities, rich and rare, and though intended for a private museum only, he has with unexampled liberality, made it "public and free."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.