USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > The first century of Piqua, Ohio > Part 14
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A report from the Ft. Wayne committee was read, and the meeting resolved to have committees from each section to meet at some central point and decide what kind of a road would be the most beneficial, and adopt measures to petition the legislature for same.
These committees met at the house of Jos. Greer, Esq., in Mercer Co., on Feb. 2, 1836. Piqua was represented by Sam. Caldwell and John W. Gordon.
The meeting elected Samuel Hanna, president, and Jas. Watson Riley, secretary.
In the resolutions committee report we find that they recommend an "Iron Railroad" from Piqua to Ft. Wayne, to be called the Piqua & Ft. Wayne R. R.
Committees were appointed to procure a charter, with a capital stock of one million dollars, with shares at $50 each, the charter to continue fifty years, and also to petition congress for a grant of lands.
At another meeting in Piqua Feb. 5, 1836, Jas. Alexander, Robt. Young, J. W. Gordon, Wm. Scott, and M. G. Mitchell were authorized to draft a bill to accompany the petition for charter to the Ohio Legislature, Sam. Caldwell and J. W. Gordon to be the delegates to present same.
On Feb. 20, 1836, Mr. Smith introduced the bill, and it was passed the first week in March.
This is all the record we have of this pioneer railroad, and it is need- less to say that it was never constructed.
THE COLUMBUS, PIQUA AND INDIANA R. R.
The next effort toward railway building was when the town council appropriated $150 for the survey of lines from Piqua to Urbana and Sid ney.
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This was on May 23, 1849, and the Urbana line was at once surveyed at a cost of $102.33. In the meantime a stock company was organized to build a line from Columbus to Covington, and this money was re- funded to the town.
The first officials of this road were M. G. Mitchell, president; J. P. Williamson, secretary ; Jos. Vance, Wm. Dennison, I. A. Bean, Isaac Dukenimeer, J. R. Hilliard, and Rankin Walkup, directors, and Samual Forrer and A. G. Conover, engineers.
On Oct. 9, 1849, a vote was taken in Washington township to decide on the proposition of taking $50,000 stock in this Columbus, Piqua & In- diana R. R. The vote resulted in 652 for and 3 against, thereupon the township subscribed this amount to the company and issued bonds for
Pa. R. R. Station, Piqua, Ohio,
PIQUA
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD STATION, 1907
hat purpose, thus entitling them to 1,000 votes in the organization.
Newberry township subscribed $10,000, Springcreek $10,000. and Brown $8,000 for this same purpose.
On May 17, 1851, it was resolved by council that the C., P. & I. R. R. e authorized to use Sycamore street for their railroad, on condition that hey grade their track level with the street grade from Main street to where their grade starts to go up the hill to the west; the track to be aid on the north side of the street, and the company to make all culverts nd street crossings.
It was mainly through the efforts of John Reed Hilliard that this oute through town was selected, the bank east of the river thus cutting ff the high-water overflow in Huntersville.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
Under the supervision of Engineer A. G. Conover, David Hunter and John Sowers did most of the grading through Piqua, with Capt. W. J. Downs to superintend the long fill east of the river. In the heavy cut west of town ox-teams were utilized except in the long hauls. John Achuff built the bridges, with Eli Hoover, Bill Thomas, Jim Kennedy, and Frank Redman as stone-masons.
The money subscribed was not sufficient to complete the entire line, so on Aug. 26, 1856, the township trustees offered a bonus of stock held by them, up to $25,000, to any one willing to help finish the road, giving a dollar of stock for every dollar so expended.
We have no record of this offer being taken however, for soon after- ward money was borrowed in the east, on short time mortgage, and the road was completed as far as Piqua late in that year. The mortgage was soon foreclosed, and the road sold for little more than its amount, the local stockholders being thereafter unable to sell their holdings, though some did eventually receive 11/4 cents on the dollar.
The first bridge over College street was built in 1859, and the new company had finished the road as far as Union City. It was soon after- ward finished through to Chicago. For some time Piqua was the west end of the division, but when the Richmond branch was completed to Bradford in 1864, that place was made the division terminal, though the old round-house west of Chestnut street in Piqua was left standing for many years.
The name of the line was changed to the Pittsburg, Columbus & St. Louis, and later to P., C., C. & St. L .; then to C., St. L. & P., and finally became a part of the "Pennsylvania System."
The first railroad bridge over the river at the east end of Sycamore street was of the old covered variety, with a wide opening along the sides near the eaves for allowing the smoke from the engines to escape. There was also a row of water-barrels on small platforms along each side o1 the roof, with stationary ladders and trap doors for the accommodation of fire-fighters should their services be required. This bridge was buil in 1852-54, and considering the fact that all the engines on this road a that date were wood-burners, it is surprising that it survived so long a time.
It finally went down in the high water of 1866, and was replaced b. one of nearly the same design, but instead of having the water-barrels a man or boy was employed to carry two buckets of water and make a inspection trip after the passage of each train, thus preventing the chanc for a conflagration. For several years in the early seventies this jo was held by Herman Grunert. The covering was taken off this secon
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RAILROADS, ELECTRIC LINES, PIQUA STREETS AND NEWSPAPERS
bridge about 1876, and in the winter of 1877-78 it was replaced by a heavier structure of wood combined with iron truss rods, and without covering. It was built by the side of the old one, and was placed by sliding it into position as the other slid out, and with scarcely any delay o the regular train schedules.
The next bridge was of all iron construction, and was erected in such a manner as to enclose the old one, which was then removed, and ill without interfering with traffic. It was erected in the winter of 888.
In 1895 the new passenger and freight depots were built, the yards xtended, and at this date (1907) there is some talk of elevating the racks above the streets through the entire city.
THE L. E. & S., AND E. & H. RAILROADS
Early in 1851 a railroad was surveyed up through West Milton and 'iqua. It was called the Louisville, Eaton & Sandusky. Another road, alled the Eaton & Hamilton, was projected about the same time, and he Dayton & Michigan was also in the field. An election was held on ug. 23, 1851, to vote on the proposition of issuing city bonds to the mount of $25,000 for stock in one of these roads, council to decide which ne.
The vote stood 316 for and 15 against, and council decided in favor f the Eaton & Hamilton. Sam. Wood, Chas. Hinch, Martin Simpson, ohn Hilliard, Geo. B. Frye, Stephen Johnston, Wm. Humphreville, J. . Gray, Henry Kitchen, and Win. M. Garvey were made a committee to ‹pend this fund.
Council appointed Stephen Johnston a director in the Eaton & Ham- ton, and on June 15, 1853, gave them the right of way through town, ing north on Broadway to the canal bank near the city limits.
On Nov. 7, 1853, the mayor of Piqua signed a paper authorizing the ansfer of all money, rights of way, and other interests of the Eaton & amilton to the Louisville, Eaton & Sandusky, thus uniting the two com- titive companies and making it possible to commence the actual build-
In 1854 the grading in the south part of town was finished, the funds the company all gone, and being unable to raise more money, the pro- et was abandoned. Capt. W. J. Downs was the principal contractor this work, and to him we are indebted for the origin of its local name, The Jerusalem & Japan Railroad."
THE DAYTON & MICHIGAN R. R.
This road made a survey through Piqua in 1851. but when council cided to give the $25,000 bond issue to the E. & H., they resurveyed
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
and built their line about a mile east of town thus, to the great delight of Troy, cutting Piqua off their map. This road was running trains between Piqua and Dayton in December, 1854.
Sept. 30, 1881, the Piqua & Troy Branch line was incorporated in Dayton, with a capital stock of $200,000, by John Carlisle, vice-president of the D. & M .; R. D. Marshal, Chas. E. Drury, D. H. Barney, Henry Flesh, Lewis Hayner, and D. C. Statler.
It was under the control of the D. & M., and when the Pennsylvania contemplated a switch from Piqua to Troy in 1883, the D. & M. people procured sufficient men and teams to lay about a mile of track through South Piqua, doing it all on the night of July 10, 1883, thus holding their right of way through that part of town. The last spike on this branch was driven by D. C. Statler and Ed. Farrington, Sept. 30, 1887. and trains were running between the two towns by Oct. 2, 1887. The next year arrangements were made with the Pennsylvania to run over their tracks from the connection east of town to Chestnut street, and the first through train went through Piqua on Dec. 9, 1888.
The Dayton & Michigan became a part of the C., H. & D. System and later was consolidated with the Baltimore & Ohio.
Several surveys of a line to connect with the Lake Erie & Western at Minster have been made at various times, but up to the present thes roads have only been on paper.
Another north and south line was projected in 1872. On the St of November of that year the township trustees entered into a contrac with A. Jackson to grade, lay track, and complete a railroad from abou where the P., C. & St. L. crosses Chestnut street, north through the town ship about four miles, to be called the Dayton, Piqua & Toledo R. R for the sum of $100,000 in township bonds. We have no further recor of this road.
ELECTRIC LINES
On Aug. 5, 1889, a charter was granted to F. C. Davies and other to construct an electric street railway in Piqua. This line extend( from the top of Favorite Hill to Forest Hill cemetery, and the last spil was driven on Dec. 10, 1889. The first cars were run on Jan. 3, 189 and the road opened for business on Jan. 14th. In 1896 this line w: extended down River street and Broadway to Ash. It is now controll by the Dayton & Troy Traction Company.
On Nov. 7, 1892, the county commissioners granted the Miami Vall Traction Company the right of way over the turnpike between Piqua al
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RAILROADS, ELECTRIC LINES, PIQUA STREETS AND NEWSPAPERS
Troy for an interurban line. This was built by the same company that built the local line. They afterward (1901) were granted the same privilege for their contemplated line to Houston, but after grading sev- eral miles the project was abandoned. In a short time the Miami Valley sold their interests to the C., H. & D. R. R., and by them the line was transferred to the D. & T. by a 99-year lease.
In July, 1901, the Dayton, Covington & Piqua Traction line was commenced. It entered town over Covington avenue and Wood street. They began running cars into Piqua in October, 1902.
Preliminary surveys of the Western Ohio Traction line between Piqua and Lima were made in 1901, and on Dec. 2nd of that year they were granted the right of way over River and Main streets to the corner f Ash. Later they were given permission to extend their line through Huntersville, but this was never done. Their first regular trips out of Piqua were on April 5, 1903.
Several other traction lines received franchises over the city streets it about this time, but none of them were built.
PIQUA STREETS
It is impossible at this date to tell how every street in the city re- 'eived its name, but those of which we have learned are of much historic nterest and will be inserted.
ADAMS-Laid out since 1850. Probably named for one of the U. S. Pres- idents, though we have been told it was for a local citizen of that name.
ANN-Laid out by Rev. Henry Payne in 1869, and named for his wife.
ASH-One of the original streets of the town of Washington, 1807, and named for a species of tree found here.
ATES-One of the newer streets, and named for D. S. Bates, who was at the time a city councilman.
LAINE AVE .- Named for James G. Blaine.
COAL AVE .- 1888. Named for W. K. Boal. Was formerly Glenn street. RICE AVE .- 1888. Named for Calvin S. Brice.
OONE-Laid out in 1834. Extended to Washington avenue in 1888. Was named for Daniel Boone, though the name is frequently mis- spelled.
ROADWAY-Laid out in 1838. Probably named after Broadway, New York.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
CALDWELL-Laid out in 1838. Was originally called Miami street, but was changed to Caldwell prior to 1850. Named for Mathew Cald- well.
CAMP-Laid out in 1838. Derived its name from the old sugar camp west of Broadway. Was named, with Texas street, by a committee from council consisting of John Rayner, Sr., and Henry Rouzer. CATHCART-1889. Named for John Cathcart.
CHESTNUT-Old part laid out in 1839. Named for species of tree.
CLARK AVE .- 1891. Named for Harvey Clark.
CLEVELAND-In Huntersville. Named for President Cleveland.
COLLEGE-Laid out about 1853. Derived name from projected High School.
COMMERCIAL-On the line of the Pennsylvania switch to the south end factories. Hence the name.
COTTAGE AVE .- 1888. The name is suggestive.
COVINGTON AVE .- That part of the new Covington pike within the city. DOWNING-Laid out soon after the original plat. Named for Downin street, London, or for Lord Downing.
DOWNS-Given this name in 1904 in memory of Capt. W. J. Downs. Wa formerly called Ohio street.
EAST-Most easterly street west of the canal.
ELLERMAN-One of the newer streets, and named for a citizen.
FIRST, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th-In rotation south from East Mai FISK-1891. Probably named for Jim Fisk.
FORAKER-Named for J. B. Foraker, at that time Governor of Ohio.
FOREST AVE .- Derives name from the forest at Fountain Park.
FOUNTAIN AVE .- Derives its name from fountain in the yard of the o Major Johnston House on West High street.
FRANKLIN-Laid out in 1853. Named for Benjamin Franklin.
GARFIELD-In Cathcart Add. Named for President Garfield.
GARNSEY-Laid out in 1853. Named for Chester Garnsey, owner of t addition.
GILL-In Scott's Add. 1855. Named for son-in-law of Hugh Scott, w lived in the house near the big elm tree on North Broadway.
GORDON-Laid out in 1854. The south end was formerly called Jeffersc but was changed in 1894. Named for a local citizen.
-- ---- GRANT-Laid out in 1841. No record of name.
GRAY-West of Washington pike. Named for a citizen.
GREENE-The north boundary of the original plat of 1807. Named 1 General Nathaniel Greene, but commonly misspelled.
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HANCOCK-1889. Named for an American statesman.
HARRISON-On the east boundary of the original plat. Named for Gen.
Harrison, who with his army crossed the river near its south ter- minal 1811, and again in 1812.
HIGH-One of the original streets. Probably took its name from a street in some larger city. In 1838 it was called Market street.
JOHNSTON-Laid out in 1838. Named for Stephen Johnston, who was mayor of Piqua at that time.
KITTS-1889. Named for a citizen.
LEONARD-One of the new streets. Named for a citizen.
LINCOLN-Old part laid out in 1869. Named for President Lincoln. LUCAS-A new street. Probably named for Governor Lucas.
MADISON AVE .- 1888. Named after President Madison.
MAIN-Was the main street of the original plat. So named on account of its being the original trail north and south, which was followed by Clark's army in 1782. The town was probably laid out to suit this thoroughfare.
MANNING-A comparatively new street. Named for John Manning. who was one of the owners of the original town.
MARKET-Laid out about 1850. Was so named for the new market place along its north side.
MIAMI-Laid out from Main to Wayne in 1834, and called Welcou street. Afterward extended west and named Miami, probably for Miami river.
MILL-First street east of river in Huntersville. Led to the saw-mill. MORROW-Laid out in 1889. Named for owner of the addition.
MOUND-Was in the first addition to the original plat in 1816. It was then called North Alley, and afterward Pork Alley. Was named Mound street on account of a prehistoric mound at its west terminal. NEW-Laid out in 1866. Was then probably the newest street in town. NICKLIN AVE .- Originally called Sherman avenue. Changed in 1894 and extended to the corporation line. Named for a citizen.
NORTH-Was the most northern street in the first addition of 1816. OREGON-A short street from North to Boone, just west of Broadway, and laid out in 1853. Named for a state.
DIIIO-In Huntersville. Named for a state.
ORR AVE .- One of the newer streets. Named for W. P. Orr.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
PARK AVE .- Laid out from Downing to one-half block west of Broadway in 1834, and called Harrad street. Was soon after named Texas street, and an alley called Cemetery alley extended west to the Piqua cemetery. Prior to 1850 this alley was extended on west to the cor- poration line. In 1874 the entire street was named Park avenue, being the most direct route to the new Fountain Park. A part of this street and also West High were at one time corduroy.
RIVER-Running north-west from the north end of Main street, and was a continuation of the old Indian trail that Clark followed in 1782. So named for its proximity to the river.
RUNDLE AVE .- Laid out about 1834. Re-named for G. H. Rundle. Was formerly known as Lover's Lane.
SCUDDER-Named for a citizen.
SHERMAN-Named for General Sherman.
Was formerly known as a part of the old Covington road.
SOUTH AVE .- That part of Chestnut street south of Young. Re-named in 1902.
SPRING-One of the original streets of 1807. So named from the grou] of springs on the river bank at its south terminal.
STAUNTON-In Huntersville. A part of the old road leading to Staunton SYCAMORE-One of the original streets. Is now occupied by the Pennsy vania R. R. Derived its name from a group of sycamore trees tha stood at its eastern terminal, which were cut off to form the wes pier of the first wagon bridge at that point in 1820.
VINE-One of the newer streets. Took name for street in some other cit; VIRGINIA-Laid out in 1869. Named for a state.
WALKER-Part from High to Ash laid out in 1854. Named for a citize WALNUT-Just east of College. Named for a species of tree.
WASHINGTON AVE .- Partly laid out in 1869. Afterward extended to Pal avenue, and later to Forest Hill. Named for President Washingto WATER-One of the original streets. Probably so named from its lea ing to the water of the river.
WAYNE-One of the original streets. Named for Gen. Anthony WayI whose name at that time was very popular in Ohio. There is a pre alent idea that Wayne's army marched over the site of this stre in 1794, but this is not true, for his trace is many miles west of Piqu WEBER-Laid out in 1889. Named for a citizen.
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RAILROADS, ELECTRIC LINES, PIQUA STREETS AND NEWSPAPERS
WOOD-Old part laid out in 1837. May have derived its name from being in the woods, but was more likely named for a citizen.
UNION-Short street between Main and Wayne. Laid out in 1834. YOUNG-Laid out in 1837. Named for Gen. Robert Young.
PIQUA NEWSPAPERS
The first newspaper in Piqua was owned and edited by Wm. R. Bar- rington.
Barrington came from Philadelphia early in 1820, and brought with him the first printing press in Miami county. He called this pioneer weekly paper "The Piqua Gazette," and its politics were Whig.
The first copy was issued from a small frame building at the north- east corner of Main and Greene streets on Thursday, July 6, 1820.
In the spring of 1825, Barrington moved his printing office to his home on the east side of Main street, between North and River, where he had built a small addition on the north side of his house.
In July, 1826, the paper was taken in charge by Jeremiah A. Dooley, who was in possession one year when it reverted to Barrington, who continued the publication until June 23, 1829, when he again sold to Dooley, who on May 7, 1831, moved the office one square south.
On Jan. 1, 1832, Dooley took his brother, D. Oliver Dooley, into part- ership and moved the office to the south side of Market street, between Main and Wayne. In May, 1832, they dissolved partnership, and J. A. Dooley moved the office to a small frame house near the north-east corner f Main and North streets, and in Dec. 1833, the office, building and all, vas moved to Spring street, opposite the Episcopal church.
Dooley continued to publish the Piqua Gazette until Sept. 30, 1834, Then he sold out to Dr. J. B. Gregory. We have never seen a copy of his paper later than the above date and believe it soon ceased publica- ion.
The "Western Courier and Piqua Enquirer," politics Democratic- oP Republican, was the next newspaper to make its bow to the public. It ing as published by Murray and Espy, and in Vol. 1, No. 1, March 14, 1835, is editorial appears :
We are authorized by J. A. Dooley to say that he has de- clined publishing the "Piqua Mercury" in this town, and those who have prospectus for same are hereby requested to forward them to this office, as they will receive the Western Courier and Enquirer instead of the Mercury.
The paper was a weekly, published every Saturday, and the above 'm continued until June 18, 1836, when Espy retired and C. L. Murray
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
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RAILROADS, ELECTRIC LINES, PIQUA STREETS AND NEWSPAPERS
became sole proprietor. His office was just south of the Cheever's store on north Main street.
On Aug. 6, 1836, W. R. Barrington bought the paper, and about Nov. 26th removed the office to his home. On June 10, 1837, the name of the paper was changed to the Piqua Courier and Enquirer. Barring- ton continued as editor until July 6, 1839, when Richard Cole took that position. Barrington was still owner, and in 1840 sold out to John and Jonathan Vaile, who at once changed the name of the paper to "The Piqua Intelligencer."
On Dec. 4, 1841, this paper was bought by John W. Defrees, who changed the name to "The Piqua Register," and published it every Sat- urday in the upper story of the Shipley building, at the north-east corner of Main and Ash.
On Dec. 2, 1848, Defrees started a semi-weekly paper of the same name, and in 1850 changed the name of his weekly to the "Dollar Weekly Register."
He continued these two papers until 1855, when they were combined and again appeared under the head of "The Piqua Register."
In Nov. 1858, he sold out to Writer & Brading. The new firm en- larged the paper, and in 1859 Brading sold his interest to Writer, who continued its publication until the spring of 1861, when he raised a com- pany of cavalry and departed for the war. At this date the paper lapsed and was never resuscitated.
In April, 1849, a stock company organized and started a weekly Democrat paper in Piqua. It was called the "Piqua Enquirer," and D. M. Fleming, one of the stockholders, was made editor. He soon after- ward bought out the others, and in 1860 changed. the politics of the paper to Republican. Early in 1865 the paper's name was changed to "The Piqua Journal," under which it continued until 1901, when it was merged with the Weekly Leader, and became a part of the "Leader-Journal."
In the summer of 1886, Fleming started a daily, called "The Piqua Daily Dispatch," and with the Journal, continued their publication until is death on Jan. 26, 1898, after which the two papers were published y Ed. Wilbee until the campaign of 1899, when the establishment was sold to Geo. Long and others, and the papers became Democratic in pol- tics. John Prichard became manager, and with John Todhunter as ditor, these two papers continued until Henry Kampf bought them in 901, when he combined them with his other papers and is still editor.
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