Racine, Wisconsin, USA
1854 - Racine

Racine, a city of Wisconsin, and capital of Racine county, is situated on the W. shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of Root river, 25 miles S. by E. from Milwaukee, and 70 miles N. from Chicago. It is the second city of the state in population and commerce, and has one of the best harbors on the lake, formed by the mouth of the river, which admits vessels drawing 12 feet of water. The city is built on a plain elevated about 40 feet above the surface of the lake. It is laid out in regular blocks, with wide streets, and contains a number of fine public buildings ; among which is the Racine college, founded by the Episcopal Church. Racine contains 12 Protestant, and 2 Catholic churches, a central high-school, and a bank in success full operation. Several newspapers are published here. The commercial advantages of this port have attracted considerable capital, and there are 10 warehouses and 126 mercantile houses in various branches of business. Over $60,000 have been expended by the citizens of Racine in the construction of a harbor. From 30 to 40 vessels are owned here, with a tonnage of over 4000 tons. The exports and imports for 1861 amounted to $2,607,715. There are 3 ship-yards, and several furnaces, machine shops, and flouring mills. Three plank-roads extend from Ra cine into the interior, and railroads are in course of construction to Chicago, Milwaukee, and Janesville. First settled in 1835 : incorporated as a city in 1848. Pop. in 1840, 337; in 1850, 5111 ; in 1863, about 7500.

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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