USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 38
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the searching eyes of the pioneer had ever gazed upon.
When Simon Kenton in 1779 was taken a captive through the various Indian vil- lages he traversed from Old Chillicothe, north of Xenia, up through the old In- dian village of Piqua north along the Ur- bana Pike, thence through Urbana to the Indian villages of Wapakoneta up to Wapatomica, he was no doubt impressed with the beauty and natural resources of this valley, and it was probably through his instrumentality that the five families, including his brother-in-law, Jarbo, and Demint, came from Kentucky in 1799 and first located west of the city near Buck Creek, building some twelve or fourteen block houses. Kenton later on went fur- ther up the old Indian trail along which he had been led while a captive, and built his cabin not far from the present Hunt residence. Demint likewise went further, stopping north of Buck Creek near the location of the present school building, and close to a beautiful spring of clear crystal water, there building for himself the first house that stood in the city of Springfield. Inhabitants of Springfield today can hardly realize the wild, pic- turesque appearance of site of the city of Springfield as nature made it.
Along the north bank of Buck Creek, or as the Indians were prone to call it, "Lagonda," was a ledge of over-hanging rocks of limestone formation. On the south was a piece of apparently level tableland. Along where High Street now is located it appeared quite rough and hilly.
Mill Run, now arched over and hidden in its greater portion through the city, was then a placid spring water stream
361
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
with boggy, miry prairie land, for several rods beyond each side of its banks.
Buck Creek was easily forded at the present Limestone Street Crossing, but in the condition of nature the surround- ings were such that persons might easily be upon one side of the stream and not discover a house or dwelling on the other, and thus it appears that when Griffith Foos and his party first came through what is now the city of Springfield, they stopped at a spring located not far from the present intersection of Main and Spring Streets and then went on their way down into the Mad River Valley with- out discovering the hut that Demint had built on the rocks and ledges north of the creek. Plenty of good fresh water was one of the essentials that the pioneer first looked for in the location of his habita- tion.
Foos and his companions were im- pressed with the desirability of locating in this valley on the site of Springfield, in absolute ignorance that another had al- ready determined to locate here. Another important factor in selecting this site as a location for a city and which operated no doubt largely upon the mind of the pioneer, were the advantages afforded by the waters of Buck Creek and Mill Run, which could be utilized for mills of va- rious descriptions. This was before the age of steam and no other source of power than water suggested itself to these pio- neers.
These mills, of which a great number were afterwards located upon the streams flowing through the city of Springfield and the surrounding country, were a great factor in the increase of its population. In an early day, when the surplus corn
must be hauled to Cincinnati or Sandusky to be finally marketed, and flour to meet the necessities of the family must be pur- chased and hauled from the same places, the local mill to convert the one into the finished product of whiskey and thus find a home as well as a foreign market, and to make flour to meet the necessities of the family, was of immeasurable import- ance to the pioneer.
The following description of the scenery and surroundings of Springfield was writ- ten by Dr. John Ludlow for a former his- torical work.
"The scenery had all the irregularity and variety of a New England landscape, without its hardness and abruptness. For several miles east and south of the new village of Springfield, the country was an undulating plain, which in the summer was covered with tall grass, mixed with a great variety of flowers, among which a species of wild pea, very fragrant but now extinct, was abundant. The country north for miles was an unbroken forest of large trees in great variety. The beauti- ful and never-failing stream called Buck Creek, or Lagonda, fringed its northern border with clear, running water. Mad River, with its rapid current, was within a couple of miles of its northwestern boun- dary. The 'Rocks,' or the perpendicular bluffs, filled with deep strata of solid lime- stone on either side of Buck Creek as it advanced toward its. junction with Mad River, were covered with cedars, hanging vines, ferns, mosses and flowers ; the wild grape-vine hung from the stately trees and dipped its tendrils into the placid stream below: the sycamore bent its pro- jecting boughs over its banks, while the sugar, maple and mulberry, towering
20
362
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
above, with the dogwood, redbud, spice- name to the embryo city. Some state that wood, butternut, buckeye and other trees, it was named by the wife of the founder, but Mr. Woodward in a narrative of his meeting in later years with Simon Kenton and his wife, says that Mrs. Kenton told him that she suggested the name for the city, and it was because of the innumer- able and beautiful fresh water springs that were to be found in that vicinity. with their variegated leaves, formed a beautiful and attractive picture. Near the mouth of Mill Run, a little rivulet which flowed near the south and west lines of the village, the scenery was unusually attractive and romantic. The little stream went tumbling over the rocks in order to reach the brief valley below and Not long after Demint had arrived on the site of Springfield there came to his cabin a young surveyor by the name of John Daugherty, and to him was as- signed the duty of making the first plat of the town. This was commenced by him in March, 1801. The land immediately south of the creek presented itself as the best adapted by nature at that time for a town plat, and the principal streets were made empty its waters into Buck Creek. On each side of this cascade, there were high, projecting rocks, covered with honey- suckles and wild vines and beautiful ferns, which hung down in festoons as a curtain to the chasm below, which was taller than a man's head. On the east side of this chasm, there was a large spring of water flowing from a round hole in the rock, with a strong current, remarkably cold, to run parallel with the creek.
and depositing a yellow sediment. On the west side, there was another spring of delicious water, which, in after years, slaked the thirst of little fishing and picnic parties, who found delight on the banks of Buck Creek in the wild and pic- turesque valley."
NAMING AND PLATTING OF THE CITY.
James Demint, after he had finished his house, which was of the double-log cabin variety and located on the south part of the grounds of the northern school building, began to think seriously of lay- ing out lots for a city.
Demint had entered and held by cer- tificate from the government a tract of land of considerable size, south of Buck Creek and west of Spring Street. His- torians are not all agreed as to whom should be given the credit for furnishing a dulged in a prolonged spree. On these
Columbia Street was made the prin- cipal thoroughfare. Main Street was des- ignated as South Street. Lot number 1 is where the D. T. & I. depot is now lo- cated. The numbers ran south on both sides of Limestone Street up to High Street. Where the county buildings are now, a public square was laid out, and this was the center of the first plat. These lots were six rods wide and twelve rods long 99x198 feet. Later on Demint made other additions running west to the first alley beyond Shaffer Street and north to Cedar Street.
It is said of the founder of Springfield that while he was "a man of some ability and possessed of many good qualities, yet he had a passionate fondness for whiskey and gambling. That he would frequently mount his fine bay horse for a visit to neighboring towns, where he usually in-
363
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
visits he would supply himself with a new deck of cards and eagerly engage with anyone for small wagers. That at one time when he was playing with a man who had a fine deck of cards, he took such a fancy to them that he decided to purchase them, but the owner refused to sell them. Mr. Demint offered him a deed for any lot in the plat of Springfield that he might select, for the cards, and he was induced
to part with the treasure. An exchange was made and the consideration for one of the finest and most valuable blocks in the city was once a gambler's deck of cards."
Since Demint's plat of the city of Springfield was made, there have been many additions, a list of which shows the development of the city, with the names of those who had faith in its future.
No. of Lots.
Date.
Part of City.
James Demint
1- 96
1803
Around Court House.
James Demint
102-225
1805
W. of Center N. of Main.
James Demint
103-225
1814
.James Demint
225-295
Not found
Giffith Foos
296-300
1832
E. High.
David Lowry
301-316
1832
W. High near Center.
P. A. Sprigman
317-337
1832
High E. of Fountain.
James Lowry
338-403
1833
S. of High, W. of Fountain.
Wallace & Cavileer
404-412
1835
E. Main N. side.
Jeremiah Warder
413-426
1843
E. Main S. to High.
Jacob W. Kills
427-431
1846
W. of Mill Run.
Joseph E. Anthony
431-447
1847
W. North near Factory.
Josiah Spencer
448-476
1847
Main S. E. of Yellow Springs.
John A. Crain
477-498
1848
Between Bridge & Gallagher.
Grant & others
499-521
1848
S. Center.
Hannah Reeder
522-567
1848
S. of Clifton.
Robt. Rodgers
568-579
1848
N. of Ansted & Burk Mill.
Newbolt Crocket
596-603
1848
W. of Fisher on Columbia.
Wm. & G. L. Foos
604-646
1848
E. High at York.
Mary S. R. Turner
646-677
1849
W. Columbia at Isabella.
Oliver Clark
700-712
1849
S. Factory at Pleasant & Clarke.
Burkley Gillett
713-733
1849
N. of Clifton along Vine.
John W. Baker
734-738
1849
Houck & Smallwood
739-748
1850
S. Center.
N. Clifton along Mill.
Dr. Robert Rodgers
763-770
išši
Peter Murray
770-812
1851
Peter Murray, Assigned
.813-822
1854
Peter Murray, 2d
823-828
1853
John Kenney
829-847
1853
Johu Patton
848-860
1853
S. of Clifton, Pearl & Gallagher.
Letitia Baker
861-954
1853
E. of S. Fountain at Pleasant.
John A. Warder
955-965
1849
Penn & High.
Patton & Gowdy
966-989
1853
Pearl along Euclid to Clifton Ave. E. High.
White Rodgers
990-1057
1854
Between York & East N. of Summer to R. R.
White Rodgers
1058-1080
1854
Between York & East N. of Summer to R. R.
Ramsey & Steele
1081-1101
1854
E. of Limestone along Euclid.
Harvey Vinal
1102-1109
1854
Henry Ruhl
1110-1123
1854
Jonathan Bruner
1124-1142
1854
Pierce & Edmondson
1143-1158
1854
W. H. Spencer
1159-1179
1860
Geo. Dibert
1180-1189
1865
Dr. Robert Rodgers
1190-1205
1864
Jacob Huben
1205-1232
1865
Elizabeth Clark
1233-1262
1866
S. Center, N. of Liberty.
Wm. H. Houck
1263-1273
1867
Wm. Houck & P. Slack
1294-1305
1867
S. Fountain opposite Miller.
Wm. G. Brain
1306-1322
1867
E. of Scott along Pleasant.
Wm. S. Thompson
1323-1334
1868
W. North, west of Yellow Springs.
Dr. Robt. Rodgers
1335-1352
1868
N. Limestone E. along Stanton.
E. N. Tibbetts
1353-1424
1868
N. of Euclid from Tavlor to Pearl.
Thomas & Mast
1425-1432
1868
N. of Chestnut, E. of Elm.
Hayward & Sherills
1433-1437
1868
S. Center along Clark.
J. R. Baumes
1438-1496
1869
N. of Clifton between Taylor & Scott.
Jobn M. Gallagher
749-762
E. of Gallagher.
N. of Main along Murray.
No. of Main, Water to Creek.
N. of Main, Water to Creek.
N. of Main, Water to Creek.
W. of Fountain Ave., at Mulberry.
Saul S. Henkle
966-988
S. of High bt. Plum & Race.
Bt. Miami & Plum along Fair. S. of W. High.
S. of W. Washington.
W. of Yellow Springs along Dibert.
E. of N. Limestone along Chestnut.
W. of S. Limestone & N. of Liberty.
S. Limestone, E. along Maple & Liberty.
579-595
1850
364
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
Middleton & Rawlins
1497-1524
1869
E. Main S. of R. R. Crossing.
Geo. Spence
1525-1641 1869
S. of High along Light to Shaffer S. to Fair Grounds.
J. W. Wertz & Son
1642-1664
1868
Bt. Chestnut & Maple Avenues.
Wm. Grant
1665-1692
1869
N. Yellow Springs to Plum.
Lewis S. Clark
1693-1713
1869
Edwin L. Houck
1714-1749
1869
S. Yellow Springs bt. Clark & Pleasant.
Andrew Gowdy
1750-1753
1870
Along Gallagher.
Thomas Sharpe
1754-1774
1870
E. of East & S. of Kenton.
Leuty & Spence
1775-1806
1870
Thomas C. Stewart
1807-1812
1870
S. E. corner Yellow Springs & Clark.
Wm. Milhollin
1813-1816
1870
S. E. corner of Yellow Springs & Jefferson.
John L. Petticrew
1820-1825
1870
S. W. corner Race & High.
Chas. Rabbitts
1826-1838
1873
N. Limestone West side S. of Creek.
Steele & King
1839-1853
1872
Clifton Avenue opposite Maple.
Lewis S. Clark
1854-1874
1873
West Clark W. of Factory to R. R.
Oliver S. Clark
1875-1896
1873
West Clark W. of Factory to R. R.
David Shaffer's heirs
1897-1902
1873
N. side W. Main W. of Shaffer.
Dr. Robt. Rodgers
1903-1999
1873
S. of Stanton Ave., from Mason St.
Dr. Robt. Rodgers
2043-2049
1873
E. to Mill Race.
Jeremiah Toland
2000-2004
1873
S. E. of Clifton St. and Scott.
Coffin & Whitehead
2005-2042
1873
Bt. Columbia and North E. of Spring.
Coffin & Whitehead
2176-2187
Geo. Dibert
2049-2142
1874
S. of. Fair Grounds to Southern Ave.
1871
S. of E. High along Forrest Ave.
See above.
1874 N. Limestone W. along Cassilly.
2212-2239
1874
Mound S. to R. R. WV. of East.
S. Yellow Springs Southern Ave. to State.
Southern Ave .; Limestone to Factory.
John Grube
2331-233S
1874
N. E. cor. of Yellow Springs and Mulberry.
Coble & Shattles
2339-2354
1875
Bt. W. Main & High.
Anna Warder
2355-2480
1874
Between R. R. & Creek.
Chas. Rabbitts
2512-2528
1875
S. E. corner of McCreight & Limestone.
W. D. Miller
2528-2557
1875
Eden Ave., & W. Pleasant.
Chas. Stroud
2558-2589
1875
S. Shaffer W. side.
Andrew Gowdy
2590-2599
1875
Liberty & Gallagher.
Mitchell's heirs
2613-2626
1876
N. W. corner of Plum & Mulberry.
Mary B. Green
2627-2637
1876
Clifton St. bt. York & Taylor ..
J. P. & K. Reinheimer
2638-2665
1876
Dibert Ave., from Yellow Springs to R. R.
Miller & Hotsenpillar
2666-2681
1876
S. Limestone, N. W. to Maple.
Wm. T. MeIntire
2682-2705
1876
Front St. bt. Creek & Race.
1876 E. of George Street from R. R. to Maiden Lane.
Spencer & Davisson
2766-2777
1876
E. North to Warder & Creek.
R. S. Spencer
2778-2796
1876
E. of Water S. of Creek.
Fountain Ave., W. to Center N. of College.
Bechtle heirs
2813-2851
1878
WV. of Bechtle Ave., S. of Maiden Lane. Gallagher.
J. J. Snyder
2862-2947
1879
S. of Main on Western Ave., W. side.
Rice & Johnson
2948-2980
1880
E. R. Hotsenpillar
2987-3040
1881
Chas. Stroud
3041-3146
1881
From Plum on State to Yellow Springs.
N. of W. Columbia & Western Ave.
W. Cedar N. to Creek.
S. Yellow Springs E. at Grand.
Johnson & Scott
3252-3380
1882
Oak Street, N. of S. Clifton St.
Pringle & Johnson
3381-3422
1882
West of the above.
C. & C. & P. Grube
3423-3433
1882
N. Race.
M. M. Tiers
3434-3456
1881
N. Limestone & E. Cecil.
N. of College, Fountain & Center.
McCreight heirs
3467-3636
1882 McCreight Ave., S. to Cecil. W. of Limestone.
S. of Clifton opposite Laurel.
On Ward W. of Center.
Jas. Dory's heirs
3689-3709
1882
Limestone to Clifton on Grand Ave.
Wm. Whitely
3710-3726
1882
Arthur Cole's heirs
3725-3757
1882
A. B. Allen
3758-3771
1882
Wittenberg College Chas. Kellar
3792-3852
1882
Geo, Brain's heirs
3853-3924
1882
Smith & Thompson's
3925-4013
1882
Edwardsville
4014-4316
1882
Lagonda Ave., E. of R. R.
Hastings H. & Webb
4317-4348
1882
Clifton, opposite City Hospital.
P. Q. King
4349-4366
1883
Benj. Seever
4367-4395
1883
S. H. Gard
4396-4429
1883
S. Limestone W. to Factory, along Grand.
Jabez Seggar
2143-2175
Coffin & Whitehead
2176-2187
2188-2211
Jabez Seggar
I. B. Rawlins
2240-2250
1874
Edwin L. Houck
2257-2318
1874
Wm. H. Houck
2319-2330
1874
P. P. Mast
2711-2765
Geo. H. Frey
2796-2812
1875
Nancy Gowdy
2852-2861
1879
Thalls. Davis & Goode
3147-3167
1881
Peter Butzer
3168-3189
1881
Geo. Hils
3190-3218
1881
E. N. Tibbetts
3119-3251
1882
Pearl E. to Taylor in Grand.
Geo. H. Frey
3457-3466
1882
Robt. Johnson
3637-3672
1882
Lorimer & Wolfe
3673-3688
1882
East, Harrison & Mound.
Limestone to Clifton on Southern.
Southern Ave. from Yellow Springs to R. R.
3772-3791
1882
S. W. cor. Factory & Ferncliff.
S. of Clifton Ave., East side.
E. High S. side.
Maiden Lane to Snyder Park.
College Ave. & Center. S. Amelia Street near old Dayton Road.
No. of Lots. Date.
Part of City.
From Factory W. on Fair.
W. North from Shaffer to Western Ave.
1873 Bt. Columbia and North E. of Spring.
Cassilly & Frey
.
N. W. cor. Pearl & Southern Ave. Near Old Dayton Road.
365
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
No. of Lots. Date.
4430-4468
4469-4508
4509-4556
1884
1885
1885
Geo. Brain
4608-4705
1886
Sheridan, Green, Mound & Ludlow.
Robbins & Myers Geo. Brain 2d
4720-4779
1886
McCreight heirs
4780-4789
1886
No. of Lots.
G. J. C. Hils
4790-4822
W. & A. J. Hilker Henry Hubert
Wm. Perrin
4876-4922
Wm. Maitland
4923-4932
Lena Marmion
John Ludlow's heirs
5009-5090
1887
1887
East Street.
S. A. Bowman
5096-5111
1887
Park Place.
I. Ward heirs
5112-5164
1887
Fountain to Center N. of Ward.
P. Lohner's heirs Geo. Spence
5258-5285
1888
S. Dayton Pike.
Houck & Coleman
5286-5373
1888
S. Fountain Ave. W. to Western Ave. N. Shaffer.
F. M. Hagan, Ass. Miller
5426-5436
1888
Old Dayton Road.
1890 W. of Main & Thompson.
1886 Fountain. Ward & College.
B. H. Warder
5461-5499
1890
E. Main, North Greenmount.
Lagonda Ave. & R. R.
I. Ward Frey
5511-5522
1891
Woodlawn.
1891 Lagonda Ave. E. R. R.
1892 E. Main, Florence, Belmont & Columbus Ave.
West of S. York.
Main, Columbia & Western Ave.
Rice, Clifton & Southern.
Pearl, Rose, Clay & Catharine.
1893 N. of Lagonda Ave. on Park Ave.
G. S. Dial, Adm'r Stronger E. O. Hagan, Ass. A. B. Smith J. L. Little
S. H. Gard
6553-6572
Perrin et al.
6573-6775
1900
Highlands.
Smith & Thompson
6794-6823
1900 S. of Snyder Park.
A. M. Rileys
6824-6850
1901 South of Ferncliff Cem.
W. H. Houck
6854-6958
1901
E. of S. Limestone.
I. Ward Frey
6959-7011
1902
North of Eastern Ave.
Geo. H. Brain heirs
7012-7125
C. N. Slyer
7126-7147
7155-7195
1902
Lagonda Heights.
S. of Highlands.
Hill Top, Lagonda. Kenwood Heights, S. E. of City W. of Belmont.
N. of Park Ave.
1906
W: Columbia, R. R. & Snyder.
Columbus Ave. & Florence St.
A. C. Link et al.
7669-7740
E. G. Banta
7741-7766
Lewis S. Clark
7767-7900
Geo. Brain's heirs
7901-7966
Lots Not Consecutively Numbered.
A. Raffensberger Penfield
Riceville
Benj. Seevers
1874
1873
Near Lagonda Shop.
Lewis Jenkins
1876
W. Main near R. R. W. High and Walter.
Lagonda Ave. to R. R. at Florence St.
E. Main & Florence.
W. Main & Siglar.
Lagonda Ave.
Pearl & Rice
1881 Lagonda Ave.
1882
1892
Part of City. N. Race near Creek.
S. of W. Southern Ave.
Limestone W. on Southern & Factory.
Shaffer, Grant & Cedar. Pleasant, Clifton & Spring.
Dibert Ave. & L. M. R. R.
4706-4719
1886
S. of Lagonda Ave. near R. R.
E. Harrison.
N. of McCreight Ave.
Part of City, Streets, etc.
Yellow Springs to R. R. on Euclid.
WV. of Western Ave. N. of Maiden Lane.
E. High.
S. Limestone W. on Perrin
E. High
N. Limestone E. side.
E. High S. on Ludlow.
Kershner's heirs
5165-5257
1888
Park to R. R.
L. F. Young, Ass. Coblentz G. H. Frey
A. S. Bushnell
5500-5510
1891
J. W. Bookwalter
5523-5548
I. F. McNally
5549-6222
O. V. Hensley
6223-6329
W. H. C. Goode
6330-6348
Robt. Johnson
6349-6355
1893
J. L. Zimmerman
6356-6377
1893
Oschwald
6378-6393 6394-6451
1892
W. Pleasant and Old Dayton Road.
N. Western Ave., Cedar, Shaffer & Grant.
Clay St. W. Grand.
Elmwood.
1902 Pearl, Catharine, Clay & Fremont.
Real Estate Co., H. D. Keefers Anton Singers
W. H. Berger Brain et al.
7248-7290
H. D. Keefers
7563-7580
J. W. James
7581-7598
Brain-McGregor
7599-7668
1907
1907 Old B. H. Warder homestead.
1907 Clifton & Wheldon Lane.
1907 Grand Ave. to State, Plum to Fountain.
1907 Harrison S. to Sheridan.
Date. Part of City.
1869 F. Springfield.
1870
South Clifton.
1871
Rice & Pearl. W. Main.
J. Bauers
Hester A. Neel
Florenceville
T. Fetsch
S. Siglar
1880
W. H. Berger
E. T. & P. Dudley W. H. Berger C. Retter
O. V. Hensley
4823-4873
1886
4874-4895
1887
1887
1887
4933-5008
1887
5091-5095
H. J. Funk
5374-5425
· 1888
5437-5443
5444-5460
1892 1892
6452-6530 6531-6553
1898 1899
1902
7196-7247
1902
7291-7562
1903 1905
1905
1875 1880 1880·
1880
1881
E. of Clifton Ave. N. of Johnson Ave. S. E. of City.
J. B. Rubsam Kershner & Spence Wm. H. Houck Robt. Johnson G. L. Frankenstein J. P. Reinheimer
4557-4596
4597-4603
4604-4607
1883 1883
Date. 1887
1896
366
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
Lots Not Consecutively Numbered.
Date.
Part of City.
I. Ward Frey
1892
S. of City (Landsdowne).
Jas. B. Thompson
1882
W. Main, S. in Siglar.
I. Ward Frey
1897
Landsdowne.
Ziehler
1897
W. Main.
M. & J. Donnelly
1900
E. Main & Buxton Ave.
W. H. McCain
1901
Melrose.
I. Ward Frey
1902
Landsdowne.
John Melking
1905
S. Limestone next to Landsdowne.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
We have before referred to the fact that in 1801 Griffith Foos had camped near the junction of Main and Spring Streets and had gone on down the Mad River Valley without discovering the hut of Demint on the north of Buck Creek, and that it was only after he and his companions had gone up the valley and crossed over the tableland and came down Buck Creek that they found Demint's cabin.
Foos and his companions stopped here for several days. They were well pleased with the country and Demint offered them land at a very reasonable price and in- formed them of his intention of laying out the town. Mr. Foos and his party re- turned to Franklinton, a village now part of Columbus, where he and his com- panions had left their families, and with them returned to the city of Springfield. This was in 1801. Soon after Mr. Foos returned he began the erection of a house to be used as a tavern. This building was located on the south side of Main Street, a little west of Spring Street. It was open to the public in June of that year and continued to be a public hostelry until 1814. From this time on, the town began to show some evidence of what it might become in the future, and in 1804 it contained about a dozen houses all built of logs. These houses, as given in Beer's History, were located as follows :
Market Streets a man named Fields kept a small repair shop. West and almost op- posite was a cooper shop owned by John Reed. On the northeast corner of the same street stood a log house, and a short distance west on the south side of what is now Main Street, near Primrose Alley, was a larger log structure, occupied by Charles Stowe of Cincinnati as a gen- eral store. Another log house was on the northeast corner of Limestone and Main Streets, and Colonel Daugherty's large log house was nearly opposite. A large two-story log-house, which in the time of Indian incursions was used as a block- house, stood near the southeast corner of High and Limestone, not far from what is known as the Old Buck- eye corner. Near the public square was another cabin in which two Frenchmen, named respectively Duboy and Lucroy, sold goods suitable mostly to the Indian trade. The two taverns conducted by Foos and Lowrey, with two or three other cabins on Columbia Street, composed the village of Springfield.
This hotel of Lowrey's was a large two- story hewn log house on the first alley west of Limestone Street, about half way to High Street.
SELECTION AS COUNTY SEAT.
One of the most important events that occurred in the early history of Spring-
Near the southeast corner of Main and · field was its selection as the seat of justice
367
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
of the county which had just been organ- ized. This was in 1818. Springfield had for its competitor the town of New Bos- ton, located on the site of the old Indian village of Piqua, and had very little to boast over its competitor for the race was so close that Springfield only won by two votes. This gave new impetus to its growth for soon thereafter the county buildings were erected and court was held. (See County Buildings.)
EARLY EVENTS, ETC.
As already stated, the first log house was erected by James Demint, and the first tavern was put up in 1801 by Grif- fith Foos. The first frame house was erected in 1804 on the northeast corner of Main and Factory by Samuel Simming- ton. This house was destroyed by a wind storm before its completion. The first brick house was probably erected by Will- iam Ross. It was a two-story brick build- ing on the southeast corner of Main and Market Streets.
This building was at first occupied as a dwelling and store and afterwards as a hotel known as Ross' tavern. This build- ing was standing as late as 1869, when it was removed to make room for the build- ing now occupied by Theodore Troupe's drug store.
A very respectful authority, however, gives credit to John Ambler for having built the first brick house. His building was located on the north side of Main Street, about half way between Factory and Mechanic Streets and was built in 1815. This building is still standing and occupied by Charles T. Davis as a resi- dence upstairs, and as a millinery store and restaurant in the lower floors.
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