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This photograph shows the first Union Depot in Columbus. It was built to receive the first passenger trains in Columbus. The building on the right is the National Hotel. We do not know the exact date of this photograph. But here are a few clues that help us know about when it was taken.
1. The first Union Depot opened in 1850 and closed in 1875.
2. The National Hotel opened in 1856 and closed in 1874.
3. Trolleys drawn by horses (at the bottom left of the photo) began running in 1863.
Based on this information, we can conclude that the photograph was taken between what years?
Source: Columbus Metropolitan Library
CHAPTER 2. A GROWING CROSSROADS CITY, 1830-1880
SECTION 1. TRANSPORTATION AND POPULATION GROWTH
CANALS
In 1825, construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal began near Newark, Ohio. When the canal was finished in 1832, it was 308 miles from Portsmouth to Cleveland. Building canals was hard work. At one time, more than 4,000 workers were working on the canals. Canals are human-made waterways to transport people and goods. Work on canals changed the environment. Workers dug trenches to allow water in and lined the trenches with sandstone. Many immigrants came to Ohio to work on the canals.
The canal passed through central Ohio at Winchester and Lockbourne. A feeder canal connected Lockbourne to Columbus by 1831. The first boat arrived in Columbus in that year, near the location of Bicentennial Park on the Scioto River today.
The canal passed through central Ohio at Winchester and Lockbourne. A feeder canal connected Lockbourne to Columbus by 1831. The first boat arrived in Columbus in that year, near the location of Bicentennial Park on the Scioto River today.
THE NATIONAL ROAD
At about the same time canals came to central Ohio, the National Road came to this part of Ohio. The National Road was built to link Cumberland, Maryland in the east with St. Louis, Missouri in the west. The goal was to provide a direct route for settlers to move west.
The construction of the National Road began in 1811. It reached Ohio in 1818. The National Road was completed through Columbus in 1833. You can still travel on the National Road today. It is called Route 40. It comes into Columbus from the east on Main Street, turns right onto High Street in downtown Columbus, then turns left on Broad Street heading west. |
RAILROADS
Canals in Ohio became less important when railroads were built. Railroads were a faster system of transportation. Early trains could travel 15 to 20 miles per hour. Canal boats could travel only four miles per hour.
The first passenger train arrived in Columbus in 1850 on the Columbus and Xenia Railroad. Within a few years, travelers could get from the Ohio River to Lake Erie without changing trains. By the 1870s, railroads connected eastern cities such as Philadelphia and Washington D.C. to western cities such as Chicago and St. Louis. Many of those lines traveled through Columbus. This led to a large increase in the population of Columbus.
Railroads were also important to the economy. Natural resources could be shipped into cities where factories were located. Factories could then transport their finished goods to other markets. Farm products could also be transported across the country.
The first passenger train arrived in Columbus in 1850 on the Columbus and Xenia Railroad. Within a few years, travelers could get from the Ohio River to Lake Erie without changing trains. By the 1870s, railroads connected eastern cities such as Philadelphia and Washington D.C. to western cities such as Chicago and St. Louis. Many of those lines traveled through Columbus. This led to a large increase in the population of Columbus.
Railroads were also important to the economy. Natural resources could be shipped into cities where factories were located. Factories could then transport their finished goods to other markets. Farm products could also be transported across the country.
POPULATION GROWTH
As a result of new transportation systems in the mid-1800s, the population of Columbus grew much larger. Columbus became known as a "crossroads" city because its transportation systems linked the East and West. Sometimes people traveling through Columbus decided to stay and live. By 1834, the population of Columbus reached 5,000 people. This means it could be considered city, instead of a town. Once Columbus became a city, the population grew very quickly. Every ten years, the United States conducts a census to count the population. The table below shows the population of Columbus between 1830 and 1880.
Population of Columbus, Ohio: 1830-1880
Year | Population | Percentage Increase |
---|---|---|
1830 | 2,435 | - |
1840 | 6,048 | 148% |
1850 | 17,882 | 196% |
1860 | 18,554 | 4% |
1870 | 31,274 | 69% |
1880 | 51,647 | 65% |
Skills Activity
During what 10-year period did Columbus have the highest population growth? During which period did Columbus have the lowest population growth growth? Create a bar graph using information from the table.
NEW GROUPS OF IMMIGRANTS ARRIVE
Immigration is when people move from one country to another. There are many reasons why people want to move. When people leave because of poor conditions where they live, these are called "push" reasons for leaving. War, natural disasters, and cruel rulers might "push" people to leave their homes. When people move to a new place because of good conditions there, these are called "pull" factors for moving. Family, jobs, and freedom often "pull" people to move into a new area.
Irish immigrants arrived in Columbus in the 1840s. Farmers in Ireland made their living growing potatoes. A disease destroyed most of the potato crops for several years. The Great Potato Famine led many people to leave Ireland. Some of these immigrants came to Ohio to work on the canals and railroads. They settled on the north side of Columbus, where they could find jobs near the railroad shops. Irish immigrants built new Roman Catholic churches in Columbus.
German immigrants to Columbus built a community on the south side. They lived just outside of the city limits because land was cheaper there. German immigrants were successful in the brewing industry. Many German-Americans served in the Union Army during the Civil War. This was often a way immigrant groups showed patriotism toward their new country. Germans created their own schools in Columbus, including the first Kindergarten in Columbus. They also built Lutheran churches and a seminary to train Lutheran ministers.
Irish immigrants arrived in Columbus in the 1840s. Farmers in Ireland made their living growing potatoes. A disease destroyed most of the potato crops for several years. The Great Potato Famine led many people to leave Ireland. Some of these immigrants came to Ohio to work on the canals and railroads. They settled on the north side of Columbus, where they could find jobs near the railroad shops. Irish immigrants built new Roman Catholic churches in Columbus.
German immigrants to Columbus built a community on the south side. They lived just outside of the city limits because land was cheaper there. German immigrants were successful in the brewing industry. Many German-Americans served in the Union Army during the Civil War. This was often a way immigrant groups showed patriotism toward their new country. Germans created their own schools in Columbus, including the first Kindergarten in Columbus. They also built Lutheran churches and a seminary to train Lutheran ministers.