Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-13
JUST A CENTURY AGO
souxDATroN FOR THE snocKoE-
, CREEK BRIDGE LAID IN r-o5.
,x,,~e Then the small Town Of Less
rnap 5000 rnhabitsnts Has Grown
, ,~to oar Bcautifui city of Nearly
y-Sco.ooo Population.

/, s,,e records Of the Grand Lodge OF Ma
inns show that the foundation stone OF
sbe Main-strect bridge over shockoe creek
,xas laid 100 years ago to-day. MOST
nSorz.h,pful John Marshall. as Grahd
N,axter. had charge of the ceremonies
sxh,c,, were in fun keeping with the pre-
1rr1bed ritual.
The record-book OF the Grand Lodge
sarus the story OF that interesting ocea-
lion IN the history OF the town IN con-
So, vet informing way. This Us the en-
Azy: ,o
, AT n called Grand Lodge. held In the
Aaasons Hall. In the city OF Richmond
on saturday evening, the 18th OF june
a. D.. 1895. A. L.. 5IsS.
/, present: the Most orshipfu John Mar
~sail. Grand Master; Right-Worshipfui ko-
merit Brooke, Deputy Grand Master; Wor-
sh,nful John X. Read. Grand Senior War
cen (pro. tend: Worshipfm jacob Rse'
brand Junior Warden; Nathaniei W.
price. Grand Secretary; Joseph Darins-
matt. Grand Treasurer: Frederick Argyie'
brand Senior Deacon; Jonh he',noN'
f,rand Junior Deacon: William Nicoison;
T,rand Steward; Matthew Moody, Grana
k,rrrsulyant: John van Kaufman, Grahd
Filler. ,,onu
EN- annie form the Grand Lodge was
v~ened IN TIE first degree OF Masonry
svhcn the Most Worshipfui Grand Master
Informed the brethren that he had CON
weped them for the purpose OF laying tne
Foundation stone OF the bridge now 10
be erected over Shockoe creek. Where-
anon the brethren proceeded IN prOcession
krftcr being Joined by the Mayor and COM
Ccnafty of the city OF Rlchmond). TO the
Lid creek. and there the Most Worshipful
f,rand Master. with the assistance OF his
nenuty and wardens laid the foundation
stone OF tho said bridge after consecrat-
Eng n with corn, wine. and OIL ana de-
erating a silver plate thereon. with the
following inscription. aGreeabiy 10 an
Gtent custom:
INSCRIPTION.
..Thisystone was laid by John Marshall
Most worshipful Grand Master OF the so
rtety OF Free Masons. Virginia, assisted
by his Excellency. the Rightly I'll
Rot,ert Brooke, Deputy Grand Master
and the Worshipful John X. Reed and
Jacob Eye Grand Wariens. and the
F;rand Lodge OF Virginia. an the presence
M the worshipfui Robert Mitchell. Mayor,
md the Recorder. aldermen and COM
snoualty of the city OF Richmond, In the
Hineteepth year OF American independ-
ence. on the 18th day Of June, A. D., 1875,
"a. l.. eEb.
.srhe procession then proceeded to the
hail where the Grand Master returned
xhe thanks OF the iodgcvand the brethren
sresent to the Rev. John Buchanan, for
kIs excellent prayer delivered on the &C
Casion."
THEN AND NOW.
IL il not thought that this was the first
bridge ever put over Shockoe creek.
srhere had probably been frame stIuc-
aures for some years before. but this
having been made the capital or the
Btate the city determined to put up
e,ermanen bridge that would not yield
10 the pressure Of high water, as those
svf light timber had done.
Richmonh's growth during these one
h,Indred years has been steady and
6ealthy Eighteenth street was then the
western corporate limit. and between
shere and the creek was known In those
ltiays as ''thc commons An enumera-
aion q the residents OF Richmond made
by the police I'm 1852 showed that there
were but 1.03l persons IN the town. or
ahese. b63 were white ana 1853 colored. The
Hcnsus of 1880 showed a population OF
S.76l and that 1850 gave 5,537. IL must,
aherefore. have been about 4.5O0 in 1925,
when this first step looking to the city's
western growth was taken.
The present population Of Richmond is
over 5000. and when Manchester is an
nexed the Greater Richmond" will en-
brace more than 10000 people.