The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1850-04-29
II. PREsESr CoNprrioS.

Situation" We shall now regard It under the
head Of,
II. PREsEET CoNDrrloN.
Those who knew Portsmouth twenty years
ago, aud will compare its situation at that
time, with its presen. coalition, cannot fail
topronounce il a thriving and growing place.
Then, its river front was anbroken, except in
one small place where there was diminu-
tive piece of crib work called wharf.
What few buildings were then On Front
street were of wood, and generally small.
The central and back parts Of the town
were scarcely built upon, there being only
few struggling tenements to be seen. Dur
ing the wet winters frequent in this climate,
the streets were almost impossible for teams
or horsemen, and in the places where the
sidewalks were to be, pedestrian was in
eminent danger of losing his boots, or be-
coming fixture in the soft and tenacious
alluvion. For days together, the street eros
sings might be seen with deep tracks, nearly
yard apart, each passenger being bound
to tread in the footsteps Of his predecessors,
or pay dearly for his temerity in attempting
innovation. Then, a few stores, each con-
tanning little Of everything, suficed to do
all the business. There was no spare capital
for improvement. every available dollar, and
much more. being required in business or
for subsistence. Then, the passage Of a
steamboat, upor down, was thing of COM
paratively rare occurrence, very few being
sufficient to do all the business. 1t was
then a common thing for passengers to wait
from two to six days, for a boat, and then
run the risk o. losing themselves or baggage
between the tavern and river.
How different the state Of things now
A fine grade with an easy slope, built at
cost of $4,000 and extending for more
than half mile along the front Of town,
now forms the bank of the river. Here,
steamboats,, canal boats and other craft may
be constantly seen lying; days are contin-
al passing up and down loaded with almost
every nameable article Of trafick; and on its
capacious area may be seen, at the proper
season, thousands Of barrels Of pork piled up,
awaiting shipment.
A regular tri-weekly packet now runs be.
tween Portsmouth and Cincinnati; two or
three others run regularly between Ports
mouth and different points above; two dai-
ly lines are established between Pittsburgh
and Cincinnati, and there are but few days
in the year that the noble steamers Of these
lines do not touch at our wharf, to leave and
take in passengers and freight. Besides
these, many other boats are continually pas
sing up and down, full of freight and alive
with human beings, and it is rare thing for
one to pass without tying cable at our
wharf. YsA
Front street is now almost entirely built
up with business houses including num-
Der Of blocks Of three and four story bricks,
the whole presenting, as acknowledged by
all travellers, the iandsomest front of any
town on the Ohio river.
The streets and alleys are mostly gravelled
and the sidewalks laid, makingit easy and
pleasant to traverse any part of The town.
A great number Of neat and convenient
dwelling houses has been erected within
few years past, and many that haye cost
from five to fifteen thousand dollars. Some
streets have been almost entirely built up
within the last 5 years, yet Notwithstanding
this, dwellings are in great demand.
The public buildings are creditable to the
place and will be still more so in another
year. The Court House is large, convent
ent and handsome building. Together with
the Jail, it is enclosed with an iron fence Of
neat workmanship. There are six churches
in the place already, and three more will be
added this season, of larger dimensions and
more complete and elaborate architecture.
The new Episcopal will be one of the
purest Gothic structures in the country.
There is already large school house, in
which ten schools are taught, and anotheris
being erected upon an improved plan. A
large and splendid town Hall will probably
be built during the season, with accommo-
dations for all The corporate officers, public
societies and post Office, besides several
stores on the ground floor.
The shipping business at this place is very
considerable, though we have not full Stats
tics in regard to the amount. No less than
70 large fatboats, capable of carrying
800 bbls. Of Pork each, loaded with pork,
flour, whiskey, &C.. have been dispatched
from this place in one season. In other
seasons, where found most advantageous to
ship on steamboats,, equal amounts have
been taken away. This is at one season only,
and for few leading articles Of produce,
leaving out Of view the business done at
other seasons, in other articles, on the river
and canal.
The trade Of Portsmouth, considering that
it has principally grown up within few,
yeats, slarge and is constantly increasing.