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| Mouth of the Huron River |
Huron, Ohio, May
26, 1832 from the Norwalk Reflector
The rapidly
increasing business of this place begins to arrest the attention of our own
citizens, as well as travellers and emigrants, who feel an interest in the
settlement of Huron County. Since the
Steam Boat Sheldon Thompson was built at this port in 1830, it has been noted
as one of the best places for ship building on the western Lakes. Since which, the following large Schooners
have been built and fitted out at this place, viz. the Marengo, launched in
June, 1831- burthen 105 tons;- the Austerlitz, launched in April, 1832-
burthern 131 tons, built by Capt. Church and owned by O. Newberry, Esq. of
Detroit;- the Prince Eugene, launched in May, 1832- burthern 101 tons, built by
Capt. Parsons, and owned by Mr. T. Jackson of Huron;- the Buffalo, launched in
May, 1832- burthern 161 tons;- and a new Schooner, now on the stocks, which
will be launched about the 20th June- burthern 130 tons;- the two last
vessels owned by Messrs. Standart & Hamilton of Milan, and built by Capt.
Church. They are all built of the best
materials and after the most approved models, and by first rate ship builders;-
any country may well be proud of either of them.
The above
mentioned vessels, together with the well know Lady of the Lakes, Louisa
Jenkins, Cincinnati, Mary of Milan, Eclipse, and a number of small vessels, too
numberous to mention, are owned at this port and Milan, and employed in exporting
produce to Detroit and the upper Lakes, as well as to Buffalo and Oswego; and
in return bringing merchandize and emigrants from Buffalo;- give to the Port of
Huron a name abroad and at home of increasing importance. It is a well known fact, that this place
began its date as a port in 1824; at which time waggons were frequently driven
across the mouth of the river on a sand bar, which obstructed the waters of the
Huron, and caused them to set back in the low lands of the adjoining country,
occasioning innumerable and complicated diseases. These evils the fostering hand of Government
not only removed, but converted the harbor into one of the best and safest on
the Lake, by extending piers a quarter of a mile into the Lake, preventing sand
from washing into the channel. To the
country generally it is of vast importance, as good roads lead to Milan, and
from that village to all surrounding country.
The merchants of Milan and Huron have gone into competition with those
of Sandusky city in vending salkt, and purchasing produce, which has reduced
the price of the former, and advanced the latter to unreasonable rates. The farmers feel the effects of this
competition to a great extent; many of whom are rapidly increasing in wealth.
The town of
Huron, in a great measure, owes it flattering prospects to the enterprising
citizens of Milan; through whose influence and exertions appropriations were
made for the improvement of the harbor.
The village of Milan is well situated for trade, and by its connection
with Huron by the Huron River, which is navigable up within three miles of
Milan, together with its healthy location, will soon become a place of
extensive business. It is in
contemplation to connect the two villages, at the head of navigation, by a
canal, which will no doubt ere long be carried into effect. A daily line of Steam Boats, from Buffalo to
Detroit, now call at Huron, both on their upward and downward passage, landing
and receiving passengers, freight, & c.
A daily line o f Stages has also been recently established, running from
Huron through Milan, Norwalk, Mount Vernon, to Columbus. The large amount of business already brought
to the Lake, by this route, exceeds the expectations of its most sanguine
friends.
Note: The Milan Canal, which was completed in 1839, brought a
period of prosperity to Milan. The Canal linked Milan to the Huron
River and, subsequently, Lake Erie. Ships
traveled along the three-mile canal, and then proceeded to the Huron River and
eventually traveled another seven miles to Lake Erie through the town of Huron.
Farmers could bring their grain, hogs,
and other goods to market in Milan and save a day’s travel time over less than
ideal roads. Farmers from a 70-80 mile radius
to the south, east, and west took advantage of Milan’s Canal. In its heyday, 600-700 wagons arrived in Milan
per day, and as many as 20 sailing vessels were loaded with upwards of 35,000
bushels of grain. The population of
Milan surged from around 280 residents in 1824 to 500 in 1840 to 1,500 in 1850. Ultimately, the Milan Canal
resulted in a major decline in the
shipbuilding and exports from Huron.
