Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-05
FORWARD AND BACK.
A Glance at the Wonderful Progress
Of the Country Since 1t
SET UP BUSINESS FOR ITSELF.
Pittsburg's Evolution from Hamlet on the
Verge of Civilization.
FAIRY TALES BEATEN BY COLD FACTS

A glance ut the material growth of Pitts
burg and the country since the establish
ment of the Government, should be IN place
in this time of anniversary rejoicing and
recollections. When the Declaration OF In
dependence was promulgated, the number
OF States was 13, occupying narrow strip oi
territory on the Atlantic coast. All else
was primeval wilderness, occupied by saw
age Indians and beasts. Pittsburg was
village remote from the center of civiliza-
ton. and of no importance except as bar
rier against the encroachments OF the In
dians
The first census-that of 1790-showed
total population in the Is States and the
territory on each side of the Ohio river, of
3, 921 1926, In the Northwest Territory the
population was so small that no return was
made. The great central States of the Union
had not even been explored. The census OF
the present year will show population ap-
proximating 100000.
Commercial Progress.
The commercial progress of the country
has been equally rapid. 1t has kept step
with the vast increase in population and the
amazing growth Of the cities. At the birth
OF the nation the manufacturing interests
were of little importance; but since then there
has been an amazing expansion in every de-
partment of industry. The little village at
the "forks of the Ohio" has become the chief
manufacturing city of the country.
Railroad development has kept pace with
the increase of population and expansion of
commerce. The first line constructed in the
United States was the Quincy Railroad, in
1926. The second was the Mauch Chunk
Railroad, in Pennsylvania, in 1927. The
rapid growth of the railroad system of the
country since that time presents a striking
evidence of the activity and enterprise of
the people and the civil progress OF the
nation. The number of miles of railroad
now in operation is about $4,000.
The first line of telegraph was erected in
1874, between W Washington and Baltimore.
From this small beginning yastsystem of
telegraphic lines has been constructed, by
means of which all the great centers of trade
and population in the world have been
brought into instantaneous communication.
Pittsburg is no longer insular nor isolated.
Now and Then.
That the pioneers of Pittsburg builded
better than they knew is too apparent for
argument. In 1900 she had a population of
1.555. In 1890 it will reach 25O, 900. In
1904, citizen writing to friend in Phila-
delphia, said: 'Do not be surprised when
you are informed that the value of the arti-
cles manufactured in Pittsburg last year
amounts to upward of $3.50, ,000." From the
best estimates at hand the capital invested
in 1889 in the nearly 600 industrial estab-
lishments of the city and vicinity, approx
mated 5000, 900, 900. The value of the iron
and steel output was about $3.50, ,000, ,000 and
of glass $8.000 900.
The first bank, branch of the Bank of
Pennsylvania, was established in 1904.
There are now more than 70, 26 of which are
working under the national system. Ex-
changes last year reached total of 1884,
080, $50 SO. They will not fall much short
of $500, 900, 600 this year.
The founders of the city paid very little
attention to real estate. 1t had no fiscal
valve, and not much of any kind. In 1892
the square on the west side of Smithfeld
street, between Diamond and Fourth ave-
nue., was sold by the Penns for $50. 1t is
now worth several millions. In 1910 the
grandfather of prominent bank officer sold
lot on Fifth avenue for 500 foot 'front.'
outlying districts were wildernesses. They
are now covered with handsome houses and
thickly populated.
Onward and Upward.
Both Pittsburg and the country are in the
full swing of progressive development, ana
while their growth since the Government |
started upon its career has been unparalleled |
in any other part of the world, they are
destined to accomplish still more wonderful |
results and achieve still greater triumphs in |
civil progress. 1t will be long time be- |
fore the New Zealander will be given the |
opportunity to sit on broken pier of one |
of the river bridges and lament the down
fall of Pittsburg She has brains, energy |
and wealth enough to keep her going for
another century at least.
Il
Movements in Real Estate.