DAYTON, OHIO.
This flourishing city, which was first settled in 1796, and
incorporated in 1805, is pleasantly situated on the left or east
bank of the Great Miami, at the mouth of the Mad River. Its prosperity
may be said to have had its start from about the year 1829, when
the Miami Canal was opened from Cincinnati to this point, with
expectations of success which at once began to be realized; for
though at that time the place had short of three thousand inhabitants,
in less than twenty-five years it had become the fourth city in
Ohio, in respect to population and wealth, and surpassed all other
Western towns of equal size in the variety and extent of its manufactures.
The city is laid out with streets one hundred feet wide, mainly,
and crossing each other at right angles. Quarries of excellent
limestone have long been worked in the vicinity, furnishing, superior
material for building, much of it finding its way to Cincinnati
and other places, for this purpose. The population of Dayton is
at present put at some 62,000,a constant increase,its
abundant and easily available water-power constituting a strong
attraction to manufacturers, extensive plants devoted to iron
wares, machinery, agricultural implements, stoves, and various
other products, being numerous. Many fine public and private buildings
adorn the city, conspicuous among the former being that of the
Young Men's Christian Association, the Public Library, Court House,
etc.; and a genuine spirit of American energy pervades all classes,a
wholesome local pride also existing, which touches and inspires
every interest identified with the city's welfare.
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