USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Columbus, Ohio: its history, resources, and progress : with numerous illustrations > Part 9
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In the table which follows, the first column shows population by the census of 1870; the second column shows the total vote for president in 1872; the third column shows present population (ascertained by multiplying the total vote by six), and the fourth column shows the increase of population since 1870, except in
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GROWTH AND PROSPECTS.
the case of Cincinnati, where the election returns indicate a de- crease :
Pop. 1870.
Vote 1872.
Pop. 1872.
Inc.
Cincinnati
216,239
35,471
212,826
Cleveland
92,829
15,547
93,282
453
Toledo
31,584
5,796
34,776
3,192
Columbus
31,174
7,362
44,172
12,898
Dayton.
30,473
6.643
39,858
9,385
Sandusky
13,000
2,172
13,032
32
Springfield
12,652
2,774
16,644
3,992
Hamilton
11,081
2,099
12,594
1,513
Portsmouth
10,592
1,881
11,286
694
Zanesvillet.
10,011
3,049
18,294
8,283
Akron
10,006
2,286
13,716
3,710
Chillicothe
8,920
1,899
11,394
2,474
Canton.
8,660
1,800
10,800
2,140
Steubenville
8,107
2,115
12,690
4,583
Youngstown.
8,075
1,574
9,444
1,369
Mansfield
8,029
1,725
10,350
2,321
Newark.
6,698
1,616
9,696
2,998
Xenia.
6,377
1,325
7,950
1,573
Piqua
5,967
1,295
7,770
1,803
Ironton
5,686
1,392
8,352
2,666
Tiffin.
5,648
1,272
7,632
1,984
Delaware
5,641
1,458
8,748
3,107
Wooster.
5,419
1,192
7,152
1,733
Circleville.
5,407
1,204
7,224
1,817
Massillon
5,185
1,077
6,462
1,277
Mt. Vernon
4,876
1,124
6,744
₹1,668
Lancaster
4,725
1,198
7,188
2,463
Urbana
4,276
1,029
6,174
1,898
Gallipolis
3,711
659
3,954
243
*Decrease 3,413.
+The increase in Zanesville is partially owing to the recent annexation of Putnam and suburbs.
The vote shows that Columbus is undoubtedly the third city of the State, in population. This place we should have held under the census of 1870, if our county commissioners had not skillfully put off, until just after the census was taken, the an- nexation of a populous suburban district, which would have added a population variously estimated at from 1,500 to 3,000. Deduct whatever number may properly represent the popu- lation of this district at the time of annexation, and the rest of our large increase is the legimate expression of the growth of the city in two years. Our citizens themselves are the persons most surprised by the evidences of this growth which have sprung up almost without their knowledge, all around them. You can not do anything that will astonish an old citizen more
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STUDER'S COLUMBUS, OHIO.
than to catch him up and show him about the suburbs, and open his eyes to the large number of new buildings added to the city in the last year. And this notwithstanding the fact that the newspapers have time and again called attention to it, and attracted the attention of wide-awake newspapers and capitalists from distant parts.
The present population of Columbus is not, by the lowest estimate, less than thirty-five thousand-double its number in 1860. This doubling of the population has taken place during a period in which war and other depressing causes operated greatly to the disadvantage of the city. Now, there is an almost absolute certainty that our population will hereafter in- crease in a far greater ratio. The furnaces, rolling mills, and the manufacturing establishments about to be located in the city and its immediate vicinity, the increased railroad facilities soon to be opened up to the great coal and iron fields, and the business and commercial houses that must neccessarily be added to those already in existence, can not fail to double our popula- tion in five years, and may treble it by the time another federal census is taken.
INCREASE OF BUILDINGS.
Not only in population, but in other respects, Columbus has grown, and is growing, with a rapidity seldom exceeded. Be- sides the State-house and the State institutions, it had, a decade or two ago, but few public or private buildings which could be pointed out as monuments of taste, wealth, or enterprise. While the State has improved its buildings in and around the city, our citizens have erected a city hall, school buildings, churches, and other public buildings, as well as private residences, that rival similar structures in the most populous cities in the country. These edifices are steadily increasing in number and impor- tance.
The report of Henry Heinmiller, chief engineer of the fire department, shows that, from April 1, 1870, to March 15, 1871, nineteen buildings were erected in the First ward, seven in the Second, seven in the Third, nineteen in the Fourth, twenty-one in the Fifth, fifteen in the Sixth, five in the Seventh, twenty-six in the Eighth, and thirty-two in the Ninth ; making a total of
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GROWTH AND PROSPECTS.
one hundred and fifty-one. Eighteen of the new buildings were business houses ; two, public school-houses ; and one, the City Hall. The greater portion of these new structures were large and substantial buildings.
By the last report of the same engineer, the number of new buildings erected in the city during the year ending March 31, 1872, was as follows: Twenty-seven one-story brick houses, one hundred and twenty-seven two-story brick houses, ten three-story brick houses, eight four-story brick houses, twenty- five one-story frame houses, thirty-eight two-story frame houses ; making a total of two hundred and twenty-five houses built during the year.
These statistics of new buildings, though suggestive of rapid progress, offer in reality only a partial index to the strides our city is taking in commercial and manufacturing importance. A steady advance has been made in the architecture of our public buildings, while many business houses and private resi- dences vie with the public edifices in convenience and elegance of style and finish. In the taste and skill displayed in its private and public edifices, Columbus has shown itself worthy of the position it holds as the State capital.
THE GENERAL PROSPECT.
It has been sometimes said by carping and envious persons that there was no vitality in Columbus, save what it obtained through State patronage. But such assertions have been, within the last few years, proven to be not only false, but utterly groundless. Railroads have been built, and are in progress, placing us in direct and immediate connection with immense coal and iron fields, making rich districts tributary to the up- building and prosperity of our city. Actual and gratifying ex- periments made, and now making, have demonstrated the fact that Columbus offers superior inducements for the establish- ment of large manufactories and commercial houses. It is a truth that large and prosperous manufacturing establishments are now in operation in the city, or its immediate vicinity, of whose existence some of our intelligent residents know little or nothing. Our progress in manufactures and trade has, within
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STUDER'S COLUMBUS, OHIO.
the last three years, been surprising, and wholly unexampled in our former history.
There is, notwithstanding the recent increase of new struc- tures, a constant demand for more buildings, for both residences and business purposes. Rents are high, owing to this demand. Among other enterprises, that of investing capital in new build- ings in Columbus promises to yield handsome returns. We have ample room to accommodate all that want a residence and business with us. Let capital step forward and put up the needed structures, sure to meet its reward.
There is one thing which makes Columbus more attractive as a place of residence than any material progress, past or pros- pective. We allude to its healthiness. Whatever may have been said of our city in this respect in the earlier period of its history, it will be conceded by every one familiar with its sta- tistics of disease and mortality for the last ten or fifteen years, that Columbus is one of the healthiest cities of the Union. This is due to its sanitary and other improvements, but especially to its location, its wide and neatly kept streets and alleys, its large open spaces and parks, its water-works, sewerage, and other means of cleanliness and purification. As the city enlarges, it becomes more and more healthy. This is a decided advantage, and the reason of it is, that improvements go forward, and there is so much room for growth that no part of the city becomes too compact or overcrowded.
The fire department of Columbus has become one of the best organized and efficient of its class in the State. Our city has been, generally, very fortunate as to the destruction of property by fire. For the last ten or twelve years, with the exception of the burning of the Central Asylum (where the fire might have been prevented by due caution on the part of the State em- ployes), there has been but a small comparative loss of property by fire in the city. Now that we have the Holly water-works in operation all over the city, the danger from fire, and conse- quently the rates of insurance, will be greatly lessened. We may, in future, count upon an almost entire exemption from any great losses by fire.
The growth of Columbus is manifest, not only in its wide, airy
105
GROWTH AND PROSPECTS.
streets, with their broad and smooth-paved sidewalks, but in the street railroads already extended along three of the prin- cipal streets, and out into the suburbs of the city. The number of these roads is increasing, and will pervade the entire city, leading out to all places of interest or business in the immediate vicinity.
There are in the city four Catholic and twenty-one Protestant churches, including a Hebrew synagogue. Many of the church edifices are spacious and commodious, as well as ornamental to the city. Such structures are on the increase.
Columbus is also ahead of other cities of like size in the num- ber and variety of her newspapers and periodicals. These steadily increase in number and enterprise as the city advances, and the demand of the people for general and local information becomes greater.
HES. COL
SULLIVANT'S SCHOOL BUILDING. (State Street, between Fifth and Sixth.)
106
STUDER'S COLUMBUS, OHIO.
The public school system of Columbus has become, not only the just pride of her citizens, but the subject of high com- mendation by teachers and other friends of education. A course of instruction has been adopted that has produced, and prom- ises still to produce, the best results. The school buildings are - large, commodious, and well ventilated; while the corps of teachers is among the most efficient in the State. Taking to- gether our public schools, our Catholic schools, and other educa- tional institutions, with their prospective increase in number, efficiency, and usefulness, no parent or guardian can fail to per- ceive the educational advantages our city affords, and will continue to offer.
Among other reasons why Columbus should be selected as a place of residence, or for business or investment in property, the following may be briefly mentioned :
The city is the least taxed of any one of the same or nearly the same population, in the United States.
Columbus pays less tax on the dollar of taxable property than any other city having the same or nearly the same amount of taxable property.
Columbus is the natural outlet for the great coal and iron region of Southern and Southeastern Ohio.
Real estate in Columbus, though rapidly advancing in price, is at present lower than in any other city of like population, leaving out of view our advantages of ready and easy access to unlimited supplies of coal and iron ore.
Goods, wares, merchandise, and manufactured articles of all kinds, can be readily shipped to all parts of the country by rail from this point.
Eight principal railroad lines already center in Columbus, radiating to and from as many different points of the compass. New railroads are now in course of construction, and others projected. It is not an overestimate to predict, that, cre five more years shall have gone their rounds, there will be three lines of railroad down the Hocking Valley from Columbus, and a like number leading from our city to the southeast, and bringing us into immediate connection with the rich coal and iron mines of Perry county. We expect soon to see the Hock-
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GROWTH AND PROSPECTS.
ing Valley road extended to Toledo, giving us direct communi- cation with the lumber and mineral regions of the Northwest and the Upper Lakes. Moreover, in a short time, we shall hear the ringing of engine-bells, giving warning that the locomotive, with cars in the rear, is running on the new railroad from Columbus to Maysville, Ky., and on the new Scioto Valley road from Columbus to Portsmouth ; each passing through a country rich in agricultural and other resources, of which Columbus is the natural depot and outlet.
Such are some of the great advantages, present and future, that Columbus presents. To those who are seeking pleasant homes, or places for thriving and prosperous business, we add a word more :
Real estate, pleasantly and advantageously located for resi- dences, or for manufacturing purposes, and lying in any direction within, or just outside the corporate limits of the city, can now be purchased at less than its actual value, and greatly under the price it will bring in a year or two. It is only necessary for a wise and prudent man to examine into the facts in regard to the propriety of investing in real estate in Columbus, and he will be quite certain, if he desires to invest in such property at all, to make his outlay in our city. Why should such a man, in order to get rich, go West, out of the pale of civilization, or to some other fabled El Dorado, where there are no railroads, schools, churches, libraries, and other public and social institu- tions, or those only of an inferior grade, when, by locating in such a place as Columbus, already started with railroad speed on a career for becoming a great city, he could, with slenderer means and less expenditure of brain and muscle, reap, in a short time, a richer and more abundant harvest.
RESOURCES OF THE CITY AND COUNTY.
As the city of Columbus is the metropolis and capital Or Franklin county, and contains at present the greater part of its population, wealth, manufactures, and trade, we present the following statistics of the entire county, derived from official sources :
POPULATION .- The population of Franklin county, in 1810,
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STUDER'S COLUMBUS, OHIO.
was 3,486; in 1820, 10,172; in 1830, 14,741; in 1840, 25,049; in 1850, 42,904; in 1860, 50,361, and in 1870, it was 63,019.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN 1870 .- Total amount of wages paid during the year, including the value of board, $463,525.
Total value of all farm productions, including betterments and additions to stock, $3,495,131.
Orchard products, $67,509 ; products of market gardens, $37,435 ; forest products, $28,715 ; value of home manufactures, $6,016.
Value of animals slaughtered and sold for slaughter, $965,126.
LIVE STOCK .- Value of live stock, in 1870, $2,019,363. There were then in the county 10,565 horses, 266 mules and asses, 7,841 milch cows, 105 working oxen, 12,166 other cattle, 40,548 sheep, and 43,233 swine.
Number and value of the live stock in the county in 1871 :
Horses
No. 14,414
Value. $1,025,416
Cattle
22,290
597,119
Mules
32,970
Sheep
407 32,191
65,364
Hogs
54,543
261,967
In 1872, there were in the county 14,611 horses, 23,691 cattle, 568 mules, 55,477 hogs, and 32,733 sheep; an increase in each case over the preceding year.
VALUE OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.
IN 1870 .- Assessed value of real estate, $22,278,598; assessed value of personal property, $13,091,694; total assessed value of both, $35,370,292.
The true valuation of the real and personal property in the county, in 1870, was $66,546,900.
TAXATION IN 1870 .- The taxes, other than national, levied in the county in 1870 were: State taxes, $141,481; county, $179,173; city, $340,164; total, $660,818.
MARRIAGES IN 1871 .- There were 675 marriages in the county, of which only three were by the publication of banns, and 672 by license.
PROBATE STATISTICS .- In 1871, 51 wills were admitted to pro-
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GROWTH AND PROSPECTS.
bate, 92 letters of administration, and 69 letters of guardianship were issued.
DEEDS AND MORTGAGES .- During the year ending July 1, 1872, the number of deeds recorded was 2,382; leases, 46; mort- gages, other than railroad, 1,788 ; and of railroad mortgages, 2. The amount secured by the two railroad mortgages was $2,000,000; by the other mortgages, $2,265,506. There were 200 of the latter mortgages canceled during the year, releasing $276,272, against $51,992 released the preceding year; showing an increase in the amount of debt canceled of $224,280.
NEW STRUCTURES ERECTED IN 1871 .- The number of dwell- ings, hotels, and depots erected in the county in 1871, was 350, valued at $340,000; 9 mills, machine-shops, and iron furnaces, value $50,000 ; 30 stores, shops, warehouses, and other places of business, value $40,000; 1 church, value $9,000; 1 public hall, value $100,000 ; 40 barns and stables, value $24,000, and 12 mis- cellaneous structures, value $6,000. The total number of the new structures was 443; and their total value, $569,000.
TURNPIKES .- There were, in 1871, 12 turnpikes in Franklin county, having a total length of 140 miles.
COUNTY BUILDINGS .- The three county buildings were valued, in 1871, at $110,000.
COMPARATIVE VIEW .- The following statement presents a view of tax statistics for 1871 and 1872 in five counties of the State-Hamilton, Cuyahoga, Montgomery, Franklin, and Lucas -in which are situated the five largest cities of the State-Cin- cinnati, in Hamilton; Cleveland, in Cuyahoga; Dayton, in Montgomery ; Columbus, in Franklin ; and Toledo, in Lucas.
Total valuation of taxable property for 1871: Hamilton, $220,548,543; Cuyahoga, $82,288,583 ; Montgomery, $43,455,440 ; Franklin, $45,725,274; Lucas, $20,990,480.
Total amount of State tax: Hamilton, $523,049.60; Cuya- hoga, $238,634.44; Montgomery, $126,020.28 ; Franklin, $132,- 603.29 ; Lucas, $46,553.06.
Total amount of local taxes : Hamilton, $3,967,603.46 ; Cuya- hoga, $1,235,557.56 ; Montgomery, $556,257.61; Lucas, $689,- 520.69 ; Franklin, $613,228.52.
Total valuation of taxable property for 1872 : Hamilton,
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STUDER'S COLUMBUS, OHIO.
$215,359,685; Cuyahoga, $85,138,221; Montgomery, $45,913,080; Franklin, $47,073,890 ; Lucas, $21,588,240.
It will be noted that the amount of taxable property of Franklin county is over two million dollars more than that of Montgomery county, and more than twice that of Lucas. At the same time, the proportion of local taxation to taxable prop- erty is less in Franklin county than in either of the five coun- ties named, and not half as much as it is in Lucas. In fact, Franklin is one of the lightest taxed counties in Ohio.
Total amount of city tax of the five largest cities in the State, with the total valuation of taxable property : Cincinnati- valuation, $175,084,296; city tax, $2,171,045.27; Cleveland- valuation, $59,728,871; city tax, $925,793.49 ; Columbus-valu- ation, $24,395,850; city tax, $214,683.48 ; Dayton-valuation, $19,901,940 ; city tax, $189,068.43; Toledo-valuation, $16,518,- 850; city tax, $290,731.76.
The reader will notice that the amount of taxable property of Columbus is $8,383,090 more than Toledo, and at the same time the city taxes of Columbus are less than Toledo by $76,048.28. Take the city of Cleveland, with a property valuation of only $35,333,021 more than Columbus-she has a city tax of $711,- 110.01 more than this city; facts which show clearly that Co- lumbus is the lightest taxed city in the State.
The indebtedness of the five principal cities of the State is: Cincinnati, $5,769,411.37 ; Cleveland, $1,436,712.24; Columbus, $1,065,179 ; Toledo, $806,066.02; Dayton, $715,650.
THE PLACE FOR THE INVESTMENT OF CAPITAL.
In comparing the prices of real property in Columbus with those in other cities, there will be found no fictitious values here; no inflation, which is sure to react, and has already re- tarded the growth and prosperity of many other places. It will be found, for instance, that real estate is actually sold, and in- vestments made here, both in city and suburban property, at less rates than in other cities of Ohio, far inferior in advantages and facilities for trade, manufacturing, and general business. At the same time, if regard be had to the probable rapid and profitable increase in the value of real property, few cities in
111
GROWTH AND PROSPECTS.
the West will be found offering equal inducements for the in- vestment of capital in such property. Property in the city and its vicinity has been for some time, and still is, steadily and healthily, and, we may add, largely, augmenting its prices. There is every reason to assure us that the ratio of increase will be still greater and greater; and that the prices of lots and lands in and around our city will, in many cases, in a few years, be doubled, trebled, and quadrupled.
There are but few Western cities to be compared with Colum- bus in railroad facilities. Here, trunk lines of railroad, with numerous connections, diverge for long distances, tapping the agricultural and mineral districts of Ohio and other States. Our city, in fact, is situated almost within the greatest and richest mineral region in the West; and she may be said to have an inexhaustible supply of coal and iron at her own door. Besides, she is surrounded by a rich agricultural and stock- raising country. Columbus is, moreover, in close connection with the whole State. From most points in the State, a trip can be made to Columbus and return on the same day ; that is, between daylight and early bed-time, affording a considerable time for the transaction of business in the city.
It may be urged that cities having water transportation pos- sess great advantages ; but shippers now make but little differ- ence between railroad and water transport, since competing railroads make reduced freights, and transfers must be made, including elevator charges, etc. Time is also an object of great importance, both as regards the fluctuations of the markets and the interest on cash capital invested.
It is true that Columbus is dependent on the lake for her lum- ber, and Lake Superior ores to mix with our native ores for producing the finer grades of malleable iron. In taking this fact into account, it must be considered that we have rapid and easy connections by rail with several harbors on the lake, and the competition of dealers and railroads will greatly reduce the cost to us of the lumber and ore transported, especially as the cars which bring us those articles can be returned laden with our coal and other productions.
Columbus excels other cities, especially in her advantages for
112
STUDER'S COLUMBUS, OHIO.
manufacturing. She has coal and iron in abundance; the one for the creation of power, and the other for the manufacture of machinery and other products from iron on a grand scale. She has, besides, of easy access, the raw material for other manufac- tures without limit.
The progress that Columbus has made in wealth, population, and general prosperity since the introduction of railroads and other great improvements into the Western country, and her present progressive stage, afford an ample guaranty as to her future. To those who seek a profitable and safe investment of capital, there is no more promising field.
CHAPTER VIII. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
CITY
HAL
RICHES.
THE CITY HALL.
THIS is one of the most beautiful and imposing public edifices that adorn the capital of Ohio. As a manifestation of public
113
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
spirit, thrift, and enterprise, it is a structure of which the citi- zens of Columbus may well be proud. It presents its lofty, bold, and imposing front on the south side of State street, and nearly opposite the southern front of the State Capitol. The building is 1872 feet long, by 80 feet in width, and 98 feet in height, from the ground to the roof. The front has an altitude of 140 feet from the ground to the top of the tower.
SOME OF THE MATERIAL USED .- There are in the structure 2,500,000 · bricks, 4,000 perches of stone, 3,500,000 feet of lum- ber, five tons of nails, and 20,000 feet of glass. The front is composed of Amherst stone, of a dark cream color.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION .- On the west and north of the build- ing is an arcade, affording free access to the apartment designed for the post-office, which is situated on the right. The main en- trance is at the north side of the building, beneath seven lancet archways, the three central ones of which are surmounted by a balcony. The upper tiers of windows are lancet-headed, corre- sponding to the archways. The post-office apartment is 98 feet long by 22 feet wide, and has a fire-proof room in the rear, 30 feet by 20 in dimensions. On the opposite side of the central lobby is the library room, 110 feet long by 26 feet wide. In the rear is the apartment used by the Board of Trade, 58 feet long and 40 feet wide. Between this and the other apartments of the first floor is a lobby running east and west, on both sides of which are stairways leading to the upper stories. The grand stairway ascends from the main entrance, where it branches off to the right and left, ascending to the corridor and the public hall. On the second floor another central hallway extends through the building, leading to the council chamber. On both sides of the central lobby of the second floor, are various rooms for the use of city officers and committees. Those on the east side are 20 by 24 feet, and those on the west are 20 by 29 feet.
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