A gazetteer of the state of Pennsylvania : a part first, contains a general description of the state, its situation and extent, general geological construction, canals, and rail-roads, bridges, revenue, expenditures, public debt, &c. &c. ; part second, embraces ample descriptions of its counties, towns, cities, villages, mountains, lakes, rivers, creeks, &c. alphabetically arranged, Part 8

Author: Gordon, Thomas Francis, 1787-1860. dn
Publication date: 1833
Publisher: Philadelphia : Published by T. Belknap
Number of Pages: 584

USA > Pennsylvania > A gazetteer of the state of Pennsylvania : a part first, contains a general description of the state, its situation and extent, general geological construction, canals, and rail-roads, bridges, revenue, expenditures, public debt, &c. &c. ; part second, embraces ample descriptions of its counties, towns, cities, villages, mountains, lakes, rivers, creeks, &c. alphabetically arranged > Part 8

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The remainder of this division, extending from Middletown, where it unites with the Union canal, and where outlet locks connect it with the Susquehannah river, is in length 24 miles, and was the first portion of the state canal put under contract. There are on this portion, 6 lift locks on the main line; 1 loek of 3 feet, leading from the main line to the basin at Middletown, and 2 locks from the basin to the river, having each 9 feet litt. The canal on this division is 28 feet wide at bottom; 40 feet at top water line, and 4 feet deep. The top wa- ter line of the basin in which the Pennsylvania and Union canals unite, is 52 1-2 feet above that of the basin at Columbia, and 290 feet above tide. The top water of the large basin at Harrisburg is 312 feet, and the surface line of the pool around Duncan's island 332 feet above tide.

The cost of this division is by estimate for the first portion, $585,501 832,036

And actual expenditure for the second,

$1,417,537

Being arrived at the west end of the cast division of the Pennsylvania canal, we may choose whether to proceed immediately westward by the Juniata, or northward by the Susquehannah. As the latter is the shorter route, we will ask the reader to bear us company upon that.

The Susquehannah division commences at the termination of the eastern division, at the outlet lock on Duncan's island, and runs along the west side of the Susque- hannah river, through the counties of Perry,.Mifflin and Union, and terminates at the south end of' the towing path bridge, at Northumberland. Its length by the towing path, is 39 miles. The country through which it passes is favorable, the bot- toms wide and gently sloping to the river; the excavation easy, and material for banks good. The original estimate for constructing this division, was #598,376 32 The actual cost has been 1,039,256 78 There are eleven locks on the line.

At Northumberland, which we have now reached, we may again choose to pro- ceed westward or northward by the canal. We shall again take the latter. A dam has been constructed across the main stream, below the confluence of the west and north branches, which should, perhaps, have been described in the last division. It is 9 1-2 feet high above the bottom of the river, and 2783 feet long: there is a shute in it, for the passing of rafts, 62 feet wide, and 650 feet long. This dam has been twice built, and cach time unfaithfully executed, and has cost near $82,500. It supplies the Susquehannah division.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

The north branch division commences at the canal basin, in the town of North- umberland, and runs a northeasterly course along the northern bank of the Susque- hannah, through the counties of Northumberland, Columbia and Luzerne, to the en- trance of the Wyoming valley. Its length, from the basin at Northumberland to the feeder dam at Nanticoke falls, is 55 miles and a half. The country, like that of the last sections, was generally favorably adapted to canals. The canal has the same width and depth as below. There are on this division, 7 lift and 1 guard locks, con- structed of wood, 17 ft. wide, and 90 ft. long in the chambers. The rise from the top water line in the basin at Northumberland, to the surface line of the pool at Nan- ticoke, is 68,89 ft. The comb of the feeder dam at the latter place, is 8 ft. fox, above four feet water in the canal. The dam carries a pool five miles above it, in- to Wyoming valley, and within two miles and a half of Wilkesbarre. The original estimate of cost for this division was $407,335 30. But the actual cost, exclusive of repairs, was $1,096,178 343.

The Wyoming line of the north branch division commences at the Nanticoke dam and extends up the stream 16 miles and 316 perches, to a point near the mouth of the Lackawannock creek, where it is supplied with water by a fecder from the creek, 203} perches in length. There are 13 miles and Il perches of canal, and 3 miles and 305 perches of slackwater and towing path. The most important mechanic- al works here, are, 1 aqueduct and 5 lift locks. The whole lockage is 43feet. The ca- nal runs on the Wilkesbarre side of the river. A side cut, and an outlet lock into the river at Forty fort, is proposed for the accommodation of the inhabitants on the western side. The Wyoming division, it is contemplated, will be completed in the fall of 1832. Its estimated cost is $220,594 56. When this line shall have been completed, a water communication will have been made to the heart of the coal ro- gion of Luzerne county.

We must now descend the stream to the junction of the west branch, to describe the west branch division, which commences at the south end of the towing path bridge, across the western arm of the Susquehannah at Northumberland, and runs along the east side of the stream through the county of Northumberland, to the feeder dam at Muncy hill, a distance of 23 miles and a quarter. The towing path extends along the pool, some distance farther, making the whole length of navigation 24 miles and a half. The country through which this canal runs, was most favorable for the purpose. The river bottoms are very wide, their slopes gradual, the lands generally cleared. The soil sandy loam or gravel, with little rock, and the lockage inconsiderable. There are on this division, six lift locks, and one guard lock, over- coming a rise of 41 ft. The comb of Muncy dam is one foot above the canal level at the guard lock, and 9 feet above low water in the river below the dain. The pool extends above 2 miles. The estimated cost of this division, was - $197,851 Actual cost, 426,791

It was filled for navigation in November, 1830, but the unusual floods of 1831 un- dermined the dam. It has since, however, been rebuilt ; but the navigation upon the division has been inconsiderable. A small prong extends 200 perches from the main stem of the west branch division, to Lewisburg in Union county. There will be on it, one dam 2} feet high, across the river, and 2 locks overcoming a lockage of 21 ft. The contract was made for this work for the sum of $22,000; the work to be finished by the 1st day of September 1832.

The Lycoming line of the west branch division commences at the head of the pool of tlie Muncy dam, and extends thence along the valley of the river 41 miles 68 perches, to the Big island opposite to the mouth of Bald Eagle creek. On this line there are 31 miles and 12 perches canal, and 10 miles 56 perches slackwater and towing path ; 7 dams, varying from 4 to 10 feet in height ; 4 aqueducts, and 12 guard and lift locks, which overcome a rise of 80 ft. The estimate of the cost of this line, which it is supposed may be completed in December, 1832, is $500,587 54. But to render this line profitable, it must be extended 5 miles further up the river to the coal beds, and a cross cut of 3 miles and 132 perches, must be made between the pool of the dam at the Great island and Bald Eagle ereck.

We must now descend the main Susquehannah to Duncan's island, for the pur- pose of pursuing the route of the Juniata river westward.

From the outlet lock at the end of the eastern division, to the point on Duncan's island, at which the Juniata division commences, the distance is I mile and 58 The rise from the surface line of the pool in the Susquehannab, at the outlet, to the

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

top water line at the commencement of the Juniata division, is 20 ft. 9 inches. This portion of the canal forms part of the Susquehannah division.

The Juniata division commences on Duncan's island, in the county of Dauphin, and runs through the counties of Perry, Mifflin and Huntingdon, to a point one fourth of a mile above the town of Huntingdon. Its length by the towing path, is 89 ms. The top water line at the connection of the Juniata and Susquehannah divisions, on Duncan's island, is 3521 ft. above mean high tide at Philadelphia. This is a very difficult and expensive division. The entire course of the Juniata river is through a mountainous country. The mountains are very high, their sides steep and rocky ; in some cases extending parallel with the stream; in others, their general range inter- sects the stream, leaving merely a gap for its passage. The margin between the mountains and the river, is, in many places, very contracted. The banks are gene- rally bold and well adapted for slackwater navigation. The dimensions of the ca- nal are the same as on the other sections. In its course there are 35 lift locks, 3 guard locks, 1 outlet and 4 river locks. The lift locks are 15 by 90 feet in the chambers ; the lockage is 251} feet. The top water line at Huntingdon 604 ft. 3 in. above tide. There are on this division, 4 dams from 8 to 9 feet high; 19 aqueducts; 25 waste weirs, and 60 culverts. The division is completed and in excellent order for naviga- tion. The estimates for constructing this division, were $1,741,508. The first con- tracts were made in August, 1827. The actual cost, including damages, but exclu- ding repairs, was $2,490,290 132.

THE FRANKSTOWN LINE OF THE JUNIATA DIVISION extends from a point, one third of a mile above Huntingdon to Hollidaysburg. It is 38 miles 102 perches in length, of which 22 miles and 156 perches will be canal, and 15 miles 266 perches slackwa- ter navigation, made by 14 dams in the river. At Hollidaysburg a basin, 1650 feet. long, and 120 feet wide, has been located, where a connection is established with the Allegheny portage road. Two feeders will supply the first level; a dam will be built in the Beaver Dam branch at Hollidaysburg, and the pool of the dam, which is crossed by the rail road, will also answer for a basin. It will be 150 feet in length, and 100 feet wide. The two basins are connected by a short feeder canal, 36 perches long, of the same dimensions as the main canal. Another feeder is taken from the south fork of the Juniata ;- it is 3 miles and 48 perches long, and 10 feet wide at the bottom. On this line there are 14 dams, varying from 5 to 27 1-2 feet in height ; 6 aqueducts ; 6 towing path bridges crossing the river; 8 guard, and 43 lift locks, overcoming a rise of 330 3-4 feet. It is supposed that this line may be com- pleted in October, 1832, and that its cost will be $698,181 56.

THE ALLEGHENY PORTAGE RAIL ROAD, commences at the east end of the lower ba- sin at Hollidaysburg, and crosses the Allegheny mountain to the west end of the basin at Johnstown. Its length is 36 miles and 221 perches ; but between the head of the basin at Johnstown and the Upper basin at Hollidaysburg, the distance is only 35 miles and 310 perches. The summit of the mountain where the rail road crosses it, is 139871, feet above the eastern and 1171,58 ft. above the western basin; and 2332 feet above the tide water of the Delaware. Connections will be formed be- tween the rail road and canal, by piers and slips, at both ends of each basin. These piers and slips have been set apart for the use of the commonwealth, and will occupy the whole ground (about 100 ft. wide) between the basins and the rail road, for 150 ft. in length at the west end, and 200 ft. at the east end of each basin.

A space of 120 feet wide has been staked out and appropriated to the use of the commonwealth, the entire length of the rail road, upon the supposition that the in- calculable trade of the Mississippi basin and the lakes, will require an additional number of tracks over the mountain. The bed of the road is graded 25 ft. wide, for a double set of tracks. There will be five inclined planes on each side of the mountain intended for stationary engines, as soon as the quantity of trade passing over the road shall require so much power. Horse power may be used in the com- mencement, as the inclination of none of the planes is greater than many portions of our turnpike roads ; the greatest angle of inclination with the horizon being only 5 deg. 51 min. and 9 seconds. But in as much as the trade from the west will great- ly overbalance that from the cast, and the bituminous coal at and near the summit of the mountain, can be used to equalize the preponderance, it is believed that on the east side of the mountain, the rise of the planes may be overcome on the self acting principle ; thus making gravity the motive power, thereby dispensing with horses and steam on the five eastern planes. The most important works on the Allegheny

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

portage, are a tunnel about 19 miles west of the crest of the mountain ; it is 900 feet long and 16 feet wide : an ovaduct of stone with a single arch of' 80 feet span, over the Little Conemaugh ; and also one of wood, of two spans of 33 feet each over the Beaver Dam branch of the Juniata. The rail road, when completed with a double set of tracks of stone and iron, with the necessary machinery, is estimated to cost $1,271,718 18. One set of tracks it is supposed will be laid along the whole line by the first of May, 1833; and that the entire work may be completed by the first day of September of that year.

Having thus in the most speedy, agreeable and advantageous manner, surmounted the great Allegheny, and descended to the basin at Johnstown, we embark upon the western division of the Pennsylvania canal. From this point the canal runs through the counties of Cambria, Indiana, Westmoreland, Armstrong, Butler and Allegheny, and terminates in the Monongahela river, at Pittsburg. Whole length, 105 miles. From Johnstown to the Allegheny river it pursues the valley of Conemangh or Kiskiminitas river, these names being given to parts of the same stream. This, throughout its whole course of 74 miles, is a narrow strean, with high steep banks, well adapted for slackwater navigation. There is upon it 27 miles of slack water, and the canal commissioners have expressed regret that the proportion of such navi- gation had not been greater. On the 30 miles of canal between Johnstown and Blairsville, the average fall of the river, is upwards of eight feet per mile, requiring equal to one lock per mile. Below Blairsville to the Monongahela, the fall is but 3 feet per mile, requiring 1 lock per two miles and a half.

The canal crosses the Allegheny river above the Kiskiminitas by an aqueduct, and thence follows the western bank of the river about 30 miles nearly to its mouth, where it re-crosses the stream, and by a tunnel through Grant's hill, unites by outlet locks with the Monongahela. Outlet locks also connect it with the Allegheny river on the north side of the town.

The estimated cost of the whole western division, was $1,498,910 10. The actual cost, including repairs, has been $2,873,217. This portion of the Pennsylvania ca- nal is in good order and in daily use.

It is proposed to connect lake Erie with Conneaut lake, in Crawford county ; and from that point by separate routes, with the Allegheny river and the Ohio. The first of these routes is nearly completed. The French creek feeder extends 19 1-2 miles ; a further extension on the western end of 3 miles, now being made, or actually made, will connect it with the Conneaut lake, and of 160 perches at the north end will connect it with French creek, near Meadville. The Franklin line of this divis- ion commenees on the Allegheny river, at the mouth of French creek, and extends up the latter stream 22 miles and 88 perches to its intersection with the feeder. On this line there are five miles and 52 perches of canal, and 17 miles and 36 perches of slack water and towing path. The principal works are 11 dams, varying from 7 to 16 feet in height, and 3 guard and 16 lift locks, which overcome a rise of 120 1-2 ft. The estimated cost is $270,681 32. It is supposed that it may be completed by the 15th of November, 1832.

The second route is by the Beaver division, which commenees on the Ohio river at the mouth of Big Beaver, and extends up the Beaver and Shenango creeks 242 miles to the town of New Castle. Of this division there are 8 miles 16 perches of canal, and 16 miles 221 perches of slackwater and towing path. There are on it 7 dams, varying from 7 to 14 feet in height, 2 aqueducts, and 17 guard and lift locks, overcoming a rise of 132 feet. The two outlet locks will each be 25 feet wide, and 120 feet long within the chambers. They are designed to admit the smaller class of steamboats that ply in the Ohio, into the pool of the first dam, to accommodate the trade of the town of Beaver and the villages near it. The estimated cost of this di- vision is $335,317 82. The whole of the line to New Castle, it is supposed will be finished by the 1st day of December, 1832. From New Castle, the work is destined to run northward through Mercer county to Conneaut lake, in Crawford, and thence to lake Erie. It is also contemplated by means of the valley of' Mahoning river, to .connect this line with the state of Ohio.

The expenses of these stupendous works have been indeed very great, and have in all instances exceeded much the original estimates of their cost. The treasury has been compelled to encounter the loss consequent upon the ignorance and inexpe- rience of legislators and canal commissioners, engineers, and contractors; which, when applied in such extensive scope as these works afforded, could not fail to be heavy.

BRIDGES.

Besides, much loss has been sustained by the elements, the force of which it is not practicable at all times to calculate, nor consequently to provide against: The sum actually expended, by the report of the canal commissioners, 31st Dec. 1831, was twelve millions, one hundred and twenty-six thousand, nine hundred and sixty-one dollars, and fifty-five cents.

BRIDGES. The numerous bridges of Pennsylvania have given it the name of the " State of Bridges." It is impossible to procure a full descriptive list of their num- ber. Between 60 and 70 companies have been incorporated for building bridges, and above 50 have been constructed by those which have gone into operation, at an expense of $2,750,000. But in many of the counties, very large and expensive bridges have been erected at county charge, costing from 30 to 40, and even 60,000 dollars each. These structures are usually of stone. We shall describe the princi- pal bridges over the Delaware, the Schuylkill, the Susquehannah, the Allegheny, Monongahela, and other rivers, when speaking of the counties in which they are severally located. The following table exhibits the principal ones, including such as have been constructed by the aid of the commonwealth. The wooden bridges of Pennsylvania are unrivalled in number, in magnitude, and in boldness of design. They have been adopted as models in several parts of Europe.

BRIDGE COMPANIES.

Title.

Date of Act. 25th Mar. 1823, 18th Mar. 1826,

Juniata bridge company,

Lehigh water gap, in Lehigh and

Lehigh at Kantz's ford,

29th Mar. 1827, Susquehannah, near the north line of the state,

17th April, 1827, 27th Mar.

Lehigh, at Bethlehem,

Lehigh.

Juniata, at Mifflin,

Mifflin.

Manyunk-over the river Schuylkill,

Philadelphia.

West branch Susquehannah,

Northumberland.

Monongahela bridge company at Brownsville, Conemaugh, at Clark's ferry,

Fayette.

Juniata, at Huntingdon,

West branch of the Susquehannah, at Milton, Schuylkill, at Norristown,

Montgomery.

17th Jan. 1831, 14th Mar.

North east branch Susquehannah, at Towanda, Bradford.

23d Mar.

Youghiogheny river, at Robbstown,

Westmoreland.

30th Mar.

Susquehannah, York Haven,

Lancaster York.

14th Mar.

Conemaugh, near Saltzberg,

Indiana.

Ist April, 66

Delaware, at Taylorsville,

Bucks.

Lehigh river, above Lizzard creek, McMichael's creek, Stroud t-ship, Loyalhannā,

Northampton. do. Westmoreland.

To this table may be added the bridge over the Susquehannah at Danville, to which the legislature has contributed 10,000 dollars; over the Schuylkill at Norris- town, 6,000; over French creek at Franklin, 5,000. And the sums expended by the state, in subscription to aid the repairs of the bridge over the Susquehannah at Co- lumbia, and that over the Monongahela at Pittsburg, both destroyed by freshets in 1832.

Counties. Huntingdon. Northampton. do. Susquehannah. Bradford.

at or near Athens,

5th Mar. 1828, 14th April, " 31st Mar. 16th Mar. 1830, 2d April, 6th April,

Westmoreland. Huntingdon.

Northumberland.

West branch Susquehannah, at Clearfield,

Clearfield.

BRIDGES.

LIST of bridges, the companies for erecting which have received letters patent, showing the rivers and streams over which they pass, the years in which they were severally com- menced and completed, their length and width, elevation above the usual level of the water, and whether roofed or not, the number of arches by which supported, the materials of which the piers are composed, as also the amount of individual and state subscriptions to the capital stock, the subscription price of the shares ; and the amount of the debts of the companies.

Bridges begun.

RIVERS AND STREAMS.

Length between abut- ments.

Width

Individ- Qual sub- scrip- tion.

State subscrip tion.

Or'gnl price of shares

Debts of the co.

Elev'n above levelof arches water.

Piers com- posed of

Roofed or not.

When made passable

REMARKS.

1817

Allegheny at Pittsburg.

45,435

9,814

Dressed stone Timber Wood

Roofed Roofed nt roofed

1819 1816 1815 Unfin'd. 1806

Destroyed by a tornado, Sep. 1821. Destroyed by an ice flood in 1818,

1814

do.

at Brighton.

500

6,000

1821

Conemaugh, on Northern route.

295

10,000

5,000

1804

Delaware at Trenton.

1064

160,000

100

1813

do.

New Hope.

1050

160,000

Stone Stone

to be r. Roofed Roofed

1814

Cost of bridge not known. A portion of capital is employed in loans.

1203

do.

Easton.

570

50,000

100

Stone & timber Roofed

1817

do.

Columbiaglass manf.

720

11,300

1,100

1819

French creek at Franklin.

300

7,000

3,000

Roofed

Unofficial. No answer received. Project abandoned for present. Unfin'd. Swept away by high water, April 1819.

1814

do. Northampton.

530

15,000

1,000

chains Stone

ntroofed Roofed

1814 1818

Not commenced.

1801

Schuylk. at Phila. (perm. bridge.)

550

300,000

Stone

Roofed

1805

Cost of this bridge $300,000, nom. ca- „ pital, $150,000.

1811

do.

at do. Upper Ferry. the Falls.

348

80,200

43,826

No plers

Roofed

1812

Greatest arch in U. States.

1817

do.

Flat Rock.

187

10,150

No piers

Roofed

1810

do.

Pawling's Ford.

do.

Pottstown.

340

10,850

Stone Stone

Roofed Roofed

1817

1812

do.

Columbia.

5690

419,400

100

Stone

Roofed

1814

1812

do.

Harrisburg.

2876

65,000

Stone

Roofed

1817

1812

do. Northumberland.

1825

40,000

50,000

800

Roofed

1814

1816

do. Lewisburg or Derr'stown.

1120

40,000

20,000

Stone

Roofed

1818

1814

do.

Nescopeck.

1256

23,000

8,000

100

Roofed

1818

1817

do. Wilkesbarre.

700

27,435

13,000

12,000

Stone

Roofed

1819

1814

do.

The Great Bend.

600

6,500

9 piers Timber

ut roofed

1814

1820

Tioga do. Athens or Tioga Point.

450

5,500

Stone

introofed

1820

1815

Big Beaver at Wolf Lane.

600

9,500

40,000 15 000

1818

Lehigh at the Water gap.

Monongahela at Pittsburg.

1500

57,450

40,000

5,000

Stone

do.

Brownsville.

1,650

Stone

Roofed

1817 Carried away by ice, Feb. 1822.

1810

do.

Destroyed by ice in 1820.

1820 1812

Susquehannah. M'Call's Ferry.

600

29,500

100

not known 6,000

do.

Marietta.

Project abandoned for the present.

This bridge is in two parts, separated by an Island.

- 90,000

1629200 1382,000

81,190

Stone & wood Stone

1806 Unfin'd. 1821

Juniata at Huntingdon.

1816

316

40,000

3,000 20,000 90,000

Destroyed by ice, March 1818. Cost of bridge, $231,771, the surplus capital employed in loans.

This bridge the same.

REPORT ON ROADS, BRIDGES AND CANALS.

Feet.

Feet. 1122

Feet. 38

No. of

30 30

Stone

1821

GOVERNMENT.

SYNOPSIS OF THE CONSTITUTION.

* The present constitution of Penn. was adopted in 1790. By it the political pow- er is distributed into three divisions, the legislative, executive, and judicial.

The legislative power is vested in a general assembly, composed of a senate and house of representatives. Members of the first are chosen for four years, in and for districts designated septennially. Their number is fixed by the legislature, at not less than one fourth, nor greater than one third of that of the number of representa- tives. The representatives are chosen annually, and senators, when to be elected, on the second Tuesday of October. Their number cannot be less than 60, nor more than 100. The general assembly meets on the first Tuesday of December annually.

The supreme executive power is vested in a governor, who is elected by a major- ity of votes triennially, on the first Tuesday of October; he cannot hold his office long- er than nine, in any term of twelve years. His salary is four thousand dollars per annum.

The judicial power is vested in a supreme court, in courts of oyer and terminer and general gaol delivery, in a court of common pleas, orphans court, registers court, and a court of quarter sessions of the peace for each county, in justices of the peace, and such other courts as the legislature may from time to time establish. The judges of the supreme court, and the several courts of common pleas, are appointed by the governor, and hold their offices during good behavior.

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Author: Gordon, Thomas Francis, 1787-1860. dn Publication date: 1833 Publisher: Philadelphia : Published by T. Belknap Number of Pages: 584

Author: Gordon, Thomas Francis, 1787-1860. dn
Publication date: 1833
Publisher: Philadelphia : Published by T. Belknap
Number of Pages: 584