Plan Hamburg, Signed (1 results)

Printed broadside, 15 3/4 x 13 1/4 inches, employing several styles and sizes of type, including display types for the headline (1 1/2 inches tall) and "Town-Lots" (3/4 inch tall). Wright and Goodenow were both lawyers, practicing in Steubenville, Ohio, at the time this broadside was printed; they both later became judges and both served in the United States House of Representatives. Handlin was authorized to build a toll-bridge over the Big Sandy on the road leading from Steubenville to Canton on 21 December 1814; his completion of the task is mentioned in the broadside. Not in American Imprints. Not in Morgan "Ohio Imprints." Not recorded on OCLC. Folded (crease line present). One ink calculation in margin, several more on verso, unsigned and unrelated ink receipt on verso, some browning, but a very good example of an appealing early Ohio town development broadside. "Hamburg is situated beside an elegant meandering stream of pure water, on a beautiful, extensive, and rich plain, bordered by handsome ranges of hills covered with rich foliage: the water of both of the creek and springs is crystal and sweet and the air salubrious . at the confluence of these streams, within two hundred yards of the publick square, there are excellent Mill-seats, on which a saw-mill & grist-mill will be erected . it is in the heart of a young and flourishing settlement, and the land that lies along the waters of 'Sandy' is rich and well suited for any agricultural improvement . Adjoining the Town there are situations amply sufficient for erecting any kind of water-works and there are in the neighborhood of Hamburg, stone of a good quality for building, &c., and stone-coal in abundance, and excellent clay for brick or potter's-ware, &c. &c. &c." The Hamburg advertised in this broadside apparently never took root, as described in "A Standard History of Stark County, Ohio" (Chicago, 1916): "Soon after Captain Downing and his relatives established themselves in the southern part of Sandy township, Joseph Handlan laid out the town of Hamburg on the north bank of Little Sandy Creek; but it never got beyond the dignity of a paper town. But Mr. Handlan was not discouraged. He improved his farm property, did much to encourage the building of local roads and in 1815 laid out Waynesburgh on the south side of the creek. The new town was on the main road from Steubenville and stood the test of time pretty well, although other centers of population in the county have far overtaken it." (2670).