USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > Directory of the city of Detroit; and register of Michigan, for the year 1846. Containing an epitomized history of Detroit To which is added copious extracts from the state geological reports in relation to the rise and fall of the Great Lakes, etc > Part 4
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for more than thirty years unmarked, and known only as the place where Tecumseh fought and died, and the last hope of the Indian race was cloven down.
With every natural facility of becoming a place of importance, the condition of Detroit, for many years, depended on the preca- rious support afforded by the fur trade, the disbursements of pub- lic moneys, while a military post, and the liberal appropriations by government for public objects. The impulse and effect pro- duced by the settlement and cultivation of the surrounding country, was wanting. This, though recent in Michigan, is now commenced, 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 fire. Shortly after this catastrophe, an act of Congress was passed directing the Gover- nor and Judges, then exercising legislative powers, to lay out a new town, including the site of the one destroyed and ten thou- sand acres of adjacent land. The act directs that a lot should be granted to every owner or occupant of a house in the old town, and the proceeds of the remainder applied to the erection of a court house and jail. It is from this fund, thus accruing, that the present public buildings 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 adop- tion of a plan, better 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 trustees, a secre- tary, 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 annual rent of forty dollars,
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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 1324, by a new charter from the legislative council; and which has since under- gone 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 qualification is required to con- stitute a "freeman" of the city.
The following statistics of expenditures of the city of Detroit, for ten years, ending March, 1845, with the accompanying re- marks, have been published during the past year, a copy of which it has been thought would be interesting to the subscribers of the Directory :
CITY OF DETROIT. IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPENDITURES.
The question is often asked, what have we to show for our city debt of $276,481 52? We have, it is true, no stately public buildings, no ornamental public parks or pleasure grounds; our streets are unpaved, and altogether there is very little public property of value that strikes the stranger's eye. Still there is much of public improvement in and about Detroit that has cost large sums, and if we were deprived of it but for one day, we should pronounce " worth what it cost." A friend who furnished the statistics of expenditures which we append, remarks, there has been a vast deal of subterranean improvement-regular bona fide pipe laying done in Detroit. In addition to fifteen miles of water pipes used in connection with the Hydraulic works our city has constructed, miles of stone, brick and plank sewers. The grand sewer alone, was a work of great cost. It is con- structed of stone side-walls 18 inches thick, with a brick arch of two feet spring-the bottom paved with hard burnt brick. It is four feet six inches wide and five feet high in the clear-the average depth of excavation being ten feet. It extends from the line of Beaubien street along the low central grounds of the city, and empties into the river just above Mr. Newberry's warehouse.
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Along the almost indentical track of this sewer, there was for- merly a considerable creek called "Savoyard River," bordered by low marshy grounds separating the high ridge upon which the old town was built from the high grounds along the brow of which runs at present, Fort street. It discharged itself into the Detroit river near the lower line of the Cass farm, where can now be seen, beneath an old stone bridge, all that remains of the ancient Savoyard. The comfort, convenience and health of the city required its removal, and the drainage of the whole city made necessary the construction of the grand sewer. Connected with this is a wooden sewer extending from its junction with the grand sewer at Beaubien street, up to Hastings street, a distance of about 1,100 feet ; lateral sewers of brick have been built in most of the streets crossing the grand sewer, and in the principal streets south of Jefferson Avenue-the last draining directly into the river. The cost of these subterranean improvements will be seen in the statement of expenditures hereto annexed.
Besides the Hydraulics and the public sewers, Detroit can point to several substantial public buildings-the City Hall, Firemen's Hall, Markets, and to the material and apparatus of a good and efficient fire department. And yet we do not point to these to prove that there has not been much carelessness and improvidence in the administration of our city's finances. The debt was much augmented by compound interest, consequent upon the neglect to pay the semi-annual coupons, of our bonds from 1840 to 1844, and the depreciation of city shinplasters and warrants, forced out to save taxation for a series of years, and increasing our annual expenses at least one half. That our citizens have paid taxes, and done it with a stout heart, the following statement of expen- ditures for the last ten years will abundantly prove. The most expensive improvements being completed, and our city constant- ly growing in wealth and population, we may henceforth look for- ward to diminished burdens.
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Expenditures of the City of Detroit for Public Improvements, from March,. 1835, to March, 1845.
FOR HYDRAULICS.
Old Hydraulic Works, $ 34,658 00
New Hydraulic Works,
116,500 00
FOR SEWERS.
Grand Sewer,
$22,607 93
Bates. Brush, Park and Shelby streets, . 1.553 71
Woodward Avenue,. . 2,139 38
7,195 26
33,496 23
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
City Hall Market,
$14,747 47
Berthelet Market, ..
8,361 84
Washington Market,
3,235 02
Firemen's Hall,.
3.273 48
29,617 81
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Engines, Houses, Hose and Hook and Ladder carriages, &c. $12,129 81 City Lampa, . 417 13
12,546 94,
Add to the above amount of expenditures, the amount of
bonds issued for interest funded, 39,257 52.
Total expenditure in ten years,.
$266,076 55
CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
There are at present, sixteen churches in Detroit ; four Cath- olic, two Episcopalian, one Presbyterian, one Scotch Presbyte- rian, one Congregational, three Methodist, two Baptist, one Ger- man Lutheran, and one Sailor's Bethel.
CATHEDRAL OF ST. ANNE.
This edifice stands on Larned street, between Bates and Ran- dolph streets. It is built of hammered granite, of an excellent quality, and measures 116 feet by 60 feet in the clear. The style of the building is Roman Doric, finished in front with two stee- ples, ornamented with iron crosses. On the centre 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.
Very Reverend P. Kindekens, Vicar General, Pastor.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY.
This church which is situate on Michigan Grand avenue, co .- ner 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.
Reverend C. L. Kilroy, Pastor.
Small Sewers,.
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
The church of St. Mary stands on the corner of Croghan and St. Antoine streets. The erection of this building was com- menced 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 belfrey and steeple with the least possible delay. This edifice is a plain, sub- stantial brick building. Its extreme length 125 feet by 60 feet wide. The Sanctuary is 20 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 Tascan, and the whole of the interior is finished in the plain- est manner.
Reverend A. K. Kopp, Pastor.
ST. PETER'S CHURCH.
The walls of this massive structure have, during the past year, been carried up to their summit, and the building roofed in. It stands on an eligible site on the north side of Jefferson avenue, abutting on St. Antoine street. The corner stone was laid on the 29th day of June 1844, by the Right Rev. P. P. Lefevere, Catholic Bishop of Detroit. This edifice is built of brick of a superior quality, 160 feet in length by 81 feet wide, and when finished with a belfrey and steeple, will present an imposing ap- pearance. Erected under the direction of Mr. Francis M. Le- tourno, architect.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
Saint Paul's Church is situated in Woodward Avenue, between Larned and Congress streets. Its order of architecture is Gothic. The body of the building is brick, and measures, exclusive of the vestry room, 90 feet by 50 feet. The front is flanked with a buttress at each angle, with two regular offsets, crowned and ornamented with a spiral roof, triangular 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
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centre of the arch above. On each side of the door is a Gothic window, ornamented 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 second section finished with a large cove cornice and castelated ballustrade. The pinnacles that finish the top of this section are two feet and 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 supe- rior organ with four stops. The galleries are supported with well finished quatrefoil columns.
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The whole presents an imposing appearance, and reflects much credit on the architect.
Right Rev. S. A. McCoskry, Rector; Rev. Horace Hills, Jr., assistant minister.
Christ Church is situated on the south side of Jefferson Ave- nue, between Hastings and Rivard streets. It is a frame building 72 fect by 42 feet, and has been erected during the past year. Its style of architecture is similar to St. Paul's church, being of the Gothic order. It occupies an eligible site in a retired and pleasant part of Jefferson Avenue, with ornamen- tal trees planted around. Mr. James Busby, architect.
Rev. William N. Lyster, Rector.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church is situated on Woodward Avenue, at the corner 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 pediment, supported by six Doric columns, 24 feet in height. The house is built of brick, with two side galleries, a spacious orchestra, and a large library room in the rear. The number of pews is one
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h. ndred and forty-six. The pulpit, which is an open one, stands in the rear, and the orchestra in front.
The steeple is one hundred and thirty feetin height, and consists of three sections-a base, a belfrey, and a dial section, with a spire thirty feet in height. Cost of the house, exclusive 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 quad- rangle is ornamented with two elegrant centre pieces, from each of which is suspended a bronzed chandelier.
Rev. Dr. Duffield, Pastor. .
SCOTCH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCII.
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.
Rev. D. Inglis, Pastor.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
This church is situated on the south side of Jefferson Avenue, corner of Beaubien street. It is a neat, substantial brick building, 75 feet by 45 feet, ornamented with a steeple. It was erected during the past year, and the basement opened for divine worship. Erected under the direction of Messrs. Gilbert & Lum, architects.
Rev. H. L. Hammond, Pastor.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The First Methodist Episcopal church is situated on Wood- ward avenue, corner of Congress street. It is a neat, plain and convenient frame building with a basement.
Reverend Mr. Baughman, Pastor.
SECOND METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Second Methodist Episcopal, or Congress Street church is situated on the north side of Congress street, near Rardolph street. It is a neat and substantial brick building, 67 feet long
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and 42 feet wide with walls 27 feet high. It is provided with a steeple and belfrey, and is to be furnished with a bell. The build- ing was erected during the past year, and the basement opened for public worship. Built under the direction of William R. Curry, architect.
Reverend R. Richards, Pastor.
COLORED M. E. CHURCH.
The colored people, aided by the citizens, have, during the last year, erected a neat and substantial brick building, 50 feet by 40 feet, situated on Lafayette street, between Brush and Beaubien streets. It is so far finished that the congregation have used the basement for public worship, and a day school is taught therein.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Baptist Church stands on an elevated site at the cor- ner of Fort and Griswold streets. It is a plain, substantialj and well proportioned brick building, 70 feet in length and 50 feet in width, with a steeple and dome of considerable architectural beauty. The general style of the building is Ionic. The stee- ple is divided into three sections, a base, a belfrey and a dial-the first is square, the second is part octagon, suspended on the cor- ner by pilasters, recessed back on the sides, and supported by flu- ted Ionic columns ; and the third is octagon supported by pilas- ters. Each section is encompassed by an open balustrade, sup- ported 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 contains 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, as- cending 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 suspend- ing a chandelier.
Reverend James Inglis, Pastor.
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COLORED AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHI.
This is a neat frame building, standing on Fort street, between Beaubien and St. Antoine streets, and was built by the voluntary contributions of the citizens generally. The church and congre- gation 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.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church is situated on Monroe Avenue, corner of Far- rar street. It is a plain 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 ..
Reverend F. Herrmaun, Pastor.
BETHEL CHURCH. Woodbridge street, foot of Wayne street.
By the liberality and exertions of the friends of the sailor in this city, a convenient building situated as above, has been fitted up for the purposes of worship, for the use of sailors, either re- siding in the city, or visiting our port from time to time. It was dedicated to Almighty God on Thursday, April 2, 1846, under the most favorable auspices, and is designed to be emphatically the "Sailor's Church." The ministers of the different protest- ant denominations took part in the religious services, which were peculiarly interesting, and the occasion was one that it is believ- ed will not soon be forgotten. The Rev. Geo. Duffield preached the sermon from Acts xxvii: 31, " Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved."
The Bethel flag was hoisted, we are informed, for the first time in Detroit, on the above occasion, where we trust it will con- tinue to wave for all coming time, inviting the wanderer to the Bethel Church, which we hope may prove to many a tempest- tossed mariner, " none other but the house of God, and the gate of Heaven."
It is under the pastoral charge of Rev. Mr. Harrison.
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GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
A congregation designated as above, meet for public worship in the City Hall, for whose use a brick building is now being erected on Congress street, corner of Rivard street.
Reverend John F. Winkler, Pastor.
DISCIPLES.
A small society of them meet in a school room, near the cor- ner of Congress and Randolph streets, opposite the second Me- thodist church, every Lord's day.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, &c.
UNITED STATES BUILDING,
Jefferson Avenue, corner Griswold Street.
This edifice was erected in 1837, by the late Bank of Michi- gan, 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 arch- itecture is of the chaste Grecian style, the two fronts being com- posed of polished stone.
It has two full stories and a basement. The basement is oc- cupied as the Post Office. The main, or first story, is occupied as the United States Court Room and Marshal's Office, the sec- ond story is occupied as offices for District Judge, Attorney, Clerk, and a Jury Room. The Court Room is capacious, the ceiling 17 feet high.
The building was erected under the direction of Mr. Charles Lum, of this city.
THE STATE HOUSE,
Was originally 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 base- ment story is divided into offices for the officers of the State gov- ernment. The first floor contains the Hall of the House of Re-
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presentatives, Governor's room, library, and office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. On the second floor is the Senate Chamber, office of the Clerk of the Senate, and the com- mittee rooms of both houses.
THE STATE BUILDING, Griswold Street.
This edifice, some time known as the Detroit Female Semina- ry, now belongs to the State of Michigan, and is occupied by the offices of the Auditor General, State Treasurer, Board of Inter- nal 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. The first story is 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 were Messrs. Jackson & Perry, of this city.
THE CITY HALL,
Is a two story brick building with hammered stone basement, and is 100 feet long and 50 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 handsome cupola. The principal entrance is from the public square. The first sto- ry is occupied by the city market and clerk's office-and the sec- ond story is a spacious Hall. The building was erected in the year 1835, and cost about $20,000.
FIREMEN'S HALL. Corner of Larned and Bates Streets.
This is a neat, substantial, two story brick building, 50 feet by
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30 feet, erected in 1839. The first story is occupied as an engine house, by Protection Fire Company, No. 1, where meetings are also occasionally held. On the second story is the Common Council room and also the City Clerk's office.
MARKETS.
There are three Markets, the City Market, on the first floor of the City Hall, the Berthelet, at the corner of Randolph and At- water streets, and the Washington Market, corner of Wayne and Larned streets. The two former only are occupied as Mar- kets, at present : these are kept in good order by the Inspector of Provisions, and well supplied with every thing that can be de- sired, at similar places. There is a great variety of vegetables and fruit in season, and also of fish, the latter of which is found in great abundance, in the river, all of which are to be had in the Fruit Market adjacent, which is now covered in, and enclosed with a strong fence.
WATER.
The city is supplied with water from the Detroit river by means of a hydraulic establishment, erected on Atwater street, in the south-east 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 supported by a circular brick building, 62 feet diameter, at an elevation of 47 feet from its foundation. This tank is supplied 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 sup- ply of pure and wholesome water to the whole city.
Connected with these works, there are laid down 4 miles of iron pipe, 10 miles of tamarack 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.
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PUBLIC OFFICES.
POST OFFICE, Under United States Building, corner of Jefferson Avenue and Bates Street.
JOHN S. BAGG, Post Master.
CHARLES RICHMOND, Assistant Post Master.
MORRIS M. WILLIAMS, first Clerk.
Office open from 7 o'clock A. M. to 8 o'clock P. M. On Sun- days, from 8 to 9 A. M. and from 5 to 6 P. M.
MAILS.
Mails for the North, East, South and West, in the winter sea- son close at 9 o'clock P. M.
Eastern and Southern mails close in the summer season, one hour before the departure of the boats.
RATES OF POSTAGE ON LETTERS.
Single, or any number of pieces not exceeding half an ounce, 300 miles or less, five cents.
Single, if over 300 miles, ten cents.
Drop letters (not mailed,) two cents.
For each additional half ounce, or part thereof, add single post- age thereto.
ON NEWSPAPERS.
Newspapers 1,900 square inches or less, sent by publishers from their office of publication any distance not exceeding ,30 miles, free.
Over 30 and not exceeding 100 miles, one cent.
Over 100 miles and out of the State, 1} cents.
CUSTOM HOUSE. Griswold Street, near Jefferson Avenue.
CHARLES G. HAMMOND, Collector.
SERENO C. HAMMOND, Deputy Collector.
UNITED STATES LAND OFFICE. Jefferson 'Avenue, near Wales' Hotel.
ROBERT A. FORSYTH, Register.
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RECEIVER'S OFFICE. Corner Jefferson Avenue, and Randolph Street. JONATHAN KEARSLEY, Receiver.
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Jefferson Avenue, between Griswold and Shelby Streets. WILLIAM A. RICHMOND, Acting Superintendent.
WILLIAM S. LEE, Clerk.
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