Cleveland, Ohio, USA
1854 - Cleveland

Cleveland, city and port of entry of Ohio, and capital of Cuyahoga county, on the S. shore of Lake Erie, at the mouth of Cuyahoga river, 135 miles by railroad E. N. E. from Columbus, 255 miles N. E. from Cincinnati, and 195 miles by water S. W. from Buffalo. Lat. 41° 30' N., Lon. 81° 47' W. Next to Cincinnati, it is the most commercial town of Ohio, and there are strong reasons for believing that it will continue to increase in population and importance until it be comes a large city. Besides its natural ad vantages, which are probably equal to any on the lake, its trade is facilitated by the Ohio canal, which extends to the Ohio river at Portsmouth, and by the following rail roads, which are already completed : the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati ; the Cleveland and Pittsburg, and the Cleveland and Erie. The mouth of the river forms a good harbour, which has been improved by a pier on each side, extending into the lake. The situation is elevated and remarkably beautiful. The greater part of the city is built on a gravelly plain, nearly 100 feet higher than the lake. The streets cross each other at right angles, and vary from 80 to 120 feet in width. Many of them are well paved and bordered with ornamental trees, mid open delightful vistas of the blue and boundless waters. The principal business is transacted on Main street, which is 120 feet in width, and is lined with rows of brick and t-tone buildings, 3 or 4 stories high. Near the centre of the city is a public square of 10 acres, divided into four parts by intersecting streets. The most remarkable public buildings are the Merchants' Exchange, the court house, the Medical College, the American Hotel, the Weddell House, and the different churches. The Western Reserve Medical College is a flourishing institution, having, in 1852. 6 professors and about 200 students. There is also a Homoeopathic Medical College, founded in 1850. Cleveland has 25 churches, among which arc 3 Presbyterian, 3 Episcopalian, 3 Methodist, 2 Baptist, 2 Catholic, besides 1 Jewish synagogue. It contains 6 banks, 1 theatre, and numerous newspaper offices. Ohio City, on the W. side of the river opposite Cleveland, is separately incorporated, and has a mayor and council. It contains several thousand inhabitants. The reported value of the exports and imports of Cleveland for 1851 was about $14,000,000. The last year will doubtless show a large in crease in this respect. In 1852, 137,920 tons of stone coal were received at this port. The number of vessels owned here (Cuyhoga district) June 30th, 1852, was over 100, with an aggregate of 38,238 tons enrolled and licensed. During the year 19 vessels, (7 of them steamers,) with an aggregate burden of 4718 tons, were admeasured. Arrangements have been made by the public authorities to supply the city with pure water from Lake Erie, to be raised by a steam-engine. From the level character of the grounds in the vicinity, a brick tower and tank will be resorted to as the only practical means to obtain the requisite head of water. The cost of the works is estimated in the engineer's report to the city council at $380,760. Cleveland is lighted with gas, and several daily and weekly papers are published here. A railroad is in course of construction from this town to Sandusky, and another (the Cleveland and Mahoning) to Newcastle, Pennsylvania. Cleveland was settled in 1796, and incorporated in 1836. The population in 1840 was 6071 ; in 1850, 17,034, and in 1853, it is estimated at 25,000.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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