Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-04-16
The sssouth sIde."

ASTONISHING GROWTH OF THE CITY BEYOND THE
RIvER-THE SPIRIT OF IMPROVEMENT THERE
THE oHRIsTIANA ROLLING MuL-FGAsTERs SAIL
LoFT-NEw DWELLINGS, ETC.
Less than ten years ago. or in 1866, but two
houses were in existence on the "South Side,'
or that part of Wilmington lying beyond the
Christiana-the Townsend residence and the Old
Ferry House. The land was entirely given up to
agriculture, and the pillow broke the sod where
new busy population has gathered.
There are, at the present time, about 800 dwell
lngs on the South Side" shelterng from 1900 to
Q 600 people. Many of these buildings are of
brick, but for the most part they have been built
of wood. New streets are laid out in all dirsc-
tions; many of them have been curhed and
graded, and a great deal OF the sidewalks are
paved school house and church-handmai-
dens of civilization and progress-have been
reared there and there are as many as twenty
little stores scattered through this part Of the
city some Of them large and frst-class retail
ores.
auy portion of the city can excel the "South
Side" 1t is astonishing to ride through the
streets (as we did yesterday through the courte-
ey of Mr. Geo. r. Townsend) and note the evil
dencea of prosperity on every band. But let us
particularize and give the result Of our obserya-
tions. George r. Townsend is building 28 new
houses, as follows 10 two-story frames on A
street. between Buttonwood and Locust; frames
A. near H0alu; DrlCkb Ou I1ohluI ID6tWodu n.
and b.; bricks on B, between Townsend and
Heald and on Buttonwood street, near b. Be-
sdes these, Patrick Taggart is building dwell
ings on Claymont, and Lobdell SITS VIM Nc
Cullough 2 on Claymont, between A. and b
Martin Lane, frames on A, between Townsend
and Head VIM. Farrier frame on b. near
Head and then there are dwellings under
way, the owners of which We are lgnorant-5
opposite the new school building, and on Olay-
mont street. Here is an aggregate OF 64 new
houses either now under way or just completed!
Ia il not an astounding growth, and healthy
opening of spring work for mechanics
And now about the business growth OF the
South Side" In 1867, when the Wilmington
Rolling Mills we're built, they employed but 80
men, They have, however, been developing in
capacity and product ever since, until now they
afford employment to about 80 men, and have
more than trebled the product OF the first two
Years of their existence. New and improved
machinery has been added and now the mills
and the grounds around them are being enclosed
with high board fence.
Oliver Il. Appleby has opened coal yard and
feed store on Heald street ana ls doing very
hne business.
Patrick McMenamin has opened kindling es-
tabl shment over there and is succeeding we'll.
A rigging loft, 20x100 feet is also being erect
ed on Head street, and there are numerous 9th :
or enterprises projected.
The Christiana Rolling Mill Co., chartered by
the Legislature at its last session, mas purchased
site 70: it's proposed works, and yesterday sew
eral of those interested were present upon the
ground to make the necessary preliminary sur
Yeys The purchase includes six acres of Ha-
| eel Dell" better known as " Chatham" perhaps
the island farm on the Christiana, just this
side the harbor, The price paid was Sl, 900 per
acre. II is the intention OF the Company we
are informed, to commence operations with q
capital Of S75 900. The works are to be erected
on the high ground between the farm house and
the river about two hundred yards from the
latter and connected with it by canals for ship
ping purposes. The Company will build wharf
/ on the Christiana, however.
magnificent future is in prospect for the
i s'South Side" The enterprises already estab-
lished there, and those to be built, warrant the
belief of more rapid increase in the future than
in the past and judging thus the prospect is
| gratifying in the extreme.