Welcome to Newburgh, Indiana Welcome to Historic Newburgh Where Tradition Meets Contemporary
Settlement and Town 1803-1850
In spring 1803, thirteen years before Indiana entered the Union as the 19th state, John and Susanna Sprinkle moved their family from Kentucky to what became Newburgh.
In 1807 General Washington Johnston, a land speculator from Vincennes, entered a claim to buy the land on credit from the U. S. Government at a cost of $2.00 per acre for 205.50 acres, for a total of $411. Once Johnston made final payment on April 2, 1811, he assigned his interest to John Sprinkle; Sprinkle received a land patent signed by James Madison on April 20, 1812.
In August 1818, John Sprinkle, a blacksmith, platted a town of 12 blocks with 102 lots and named this town Sprinklesburgh. It was the first town in Warrick County and was immediately west of today’s Monroe Street in downtown Newburgh. In 1820, Samuel Short bought 82 of the 102 lots. Locals referred to the town as Mount Prospect. Then, in 1829, an early merchant, Abner Luce, platted a new 28-lot town east of present State Street and called his town Newburg. It was the same year a post office was established as Newburgh. In 1841, by act of the Indiana State Legislature, the two towns, Sprinklesburgh/Mount Prospect and Newburg united as Newburgh. However, confusion on the correct spelling of the town’s name remained. Residents used both spellings. The U. S. Post Office changed the spelling to Newburg in 1893 before returning permanently to Newburgh in 1924.
By 1850 the town boasted 526 residents. Its frontier appearance disappeared with construction of buildings like the Exchange Hotel, the commercial Phelps block, and several fine, brick houses. All of these buildings exist today.
Phelps Block as it appeared in the 1800’s
Phelps Block as it appears today
The Exchange Hotel built in 1841 by Joseph Spitz. It was used as a hospital during Civil War. A Prosperous Shipping Center 1850-1870
Between 1850 and 1870 Newburgh’s population almost tripled. Situated high above the floodplain where steamboats could easily dock, a line of riverfront warehouses rose along both sides of Water Street.
State Street looking south toward Water Street
John S. Hopkins landing in Newburgh
Ryan Hampton Tobacco Co., located on the southside of Water Street, west of the Riverfront Park. At this time, the most important local commodity was coal. The first coal shaft—the Phelps bank—was sunk east of town in 1850. Within a few years, large quantities of Newburgh coal were shipped on the coal-hungry steamboats.
A building boom in Newburgh resulted; many of the elegant houses remaining today reflect this early success. The first incorporated town in the county, Newburgh grew to include stores, factories, and five churches. Moreover, Newburgh was home to the first newspaper in Warrick County. The Delaney Academy, a respected educational institution, flourished from 1842 to 1867.
Delaney Academy Educational Institution Post-Civil War Newburgh contained over 30 stores and shops, 4 flouring mills, 2 saw mills, a brewery, a tannery, a brickyard, and small factories producing plows to shoes. The economy was beginning to flourish.
Newburgh Languishes 1870-1950 “The star of Newburgh is fast sinking to darkness and obscurity, and is already below the horizon of progress and public enterprise”—so concluded an 1885 Warrick County history. When railroads replaced steamboats as the key to progress in the late 19th century, Newburgh failed to acquire a major line. The citizens experienced great anticipation and expectation in 1871 when work began on a line from Newburgh through the rich mineral country of Indiana to Chicago. However, problems arose, construction stopped, and the railroad failed.
Consequently, Newburgh settled for the interurban or traction connection with the Evansville Suburban and Newburgh Railroad in 1889 and the Evansville and Ohio Valley Line in 1907. The E & OV continued to Rockport and Grandview. Both these lines provided passenger and freight services as well as coal shipments to the Evansville market. By 1940, because most Newburgh mines had ceased production, both interurban lines were abandoned. Continued Commercial activities included tobacco warehouses and a cannery.
Quaint Town Preserved 1950— The Newburgh area underwent tremendous growth in the last half of the 20th century. Both the ALCOA (Aluminum Company of America) plant, which began production east of town in 1960, and the eastward growth of Evansville contributed to this growth. Many attractive residential areas grew around the town. Although Ohio Township became one of the fastest growing townships in Indiana, the town of Newburgh maintained its quaint charm.
Despite suffering floods, tornadoes, and several damaging fires, the town retained its historic appearance—with a few additions. Newburgh High School graduated its last class in 1959 as the new Castle High School opened north of town. A new elementary school was built on the old school site.
The Old Lock and Dam was built in the 1920’s. At that time a number of other lock and dam facilities around the country were built. The existing lock’s construction began in June 1966 and was placed into operation in 1969. Dam construction began June 1970; pool raised to final level January 1975 and the actual dam was completed in 1975.
Today, we have the Newburgh Lock and Dam Park which includes the Newburgh boat launch, the Lock and Dam Building, the Lock Master Cottages and the green space around that area. All was a donation to our community from the Corp. of Engineers. A new lock and dam opened in 1975 on the site of Cypress Current Lock & Dam Building Beach.
In 2006 the town leaders moved the town hall from the old Cumberland Presbyterian Church to the upper level of the riverfront Newburgh Library. The old church was restored by the town and renamed Preservation Hall which is the present location of the Newburgh Museum.
Current Town Hall & Library Many of Newburgh’s residents are commuters to businesses and industry in Evansville and surrounding areas.
Today Newburgh’s Historic Preservation District on the Ohio River, with the scenic Rivertown Trail, provides residents and visitors with specialty services, cool shops, and unique dining opportunities in a serene picturesque setting. Newburgh’s Historic Preservation District
Music and Entertainment through the years Newburgh has had a rich history of being a gathering place that often included music. It has for many years been “Destination Newburgh.”
Corneal B. McCormick built the two-story brick home at 224 State Street in 1869. Athough he owned a grocery business, like many musicians, he spent his “spare time” pursuing his love of music.
Not only did he construct violins, but he organized an orchestra of young people who met in his store and played the popular songs of the day. Some of his music and one of his violins can be seen on display at the Museum. The property at 700 State Street was purchased in 1860 by John M. Kuebler. He was from Alsace Lorraine, France and was the son of a grape grower and farmer. In 1875, he built the house that stands there now and began to develop gardens, a greenhouse, a 700 State Street vineyard, and a winery. There were summer houses for guests and a grandstand for band concerts. They even had a baseball diamond, a race track and amphitheater.
Kuebler Garden Greenhouses Backyard at Kuebler Gardens During the early 1900s, Cypress Beach was the summer retreat and party place for many Warrick County residents and tourists from Evansville. The park covered the area known today as the New Lock and Dam and Overlook Park. Cypress Beach Campground
There was a bathing house and a boat dock and tents available for rent. Cypress Beach became the location for employee picnics, family reunions, civic group and church gatherings. There were boat races, a ball park and even a Ferris wheel. Cypress Beach The late 1800’s and early 19th century brought the Show Boat to town, bringing a wide range of entertainment to Newburgh. In 1917, the Princess Theatre was built at the height of the silent movie era. By the end of the 1920s it had been converted to the new “talkie” format. In 1956 the theatre closed to movies but for many years was home to a local repertory theatre group.
Cotton Blossom Show Boat
“Stovepipe” Johnson’s Raid on Newburgh – July 18, 1862 The Confederate Congress passed the Partisan Ranger Act in April, 1862, authorizing the formation of the partisan ranger units. Adam Johnson was ordered by John C. Breckinridge to recruit men, gather horses and supplies from one of these partisan units, and conduct operations in western Kentucky. Born and raised in Henderson, and working 6 years as a surveyor and fighting Comanche in Texas, had prepared Johnson for guerilla fighting – especially in an area where he was familiar with both land and folk. About noon, on a rainy July 18th, 1863, Adam R. Johnson, and 2 of his 30 man Confederate partisan unit, “The Breckinridge Guards”, used a rowboat and a ferry to cross the Ohio River from Kentucky to Newburgh, Indiana. Landing on the waterfront, they entered the unlocked, unguarded, open doors of a riverside warehouse. Owned by Indiana Home Guard Captain, Union Bethel, it was located on the SW corner of State and Water streets. The weapons provided for the militia he commanded were stored there – 200 rifles, 75 sabers, and 130 pistols with holster.
The warehouse was bolted and secured by the 2 men with Johnson. Then single-handed and with a shotgun, Johnson entered the Exchange Hotel, bluffed 80 convalescing Union soldiers into surrendering their rifles, and afterward paroled them.
Meanwhile, the other raiders landed at the foot of Sycamore Street, and quickly spread through and secured the streets for several blocks, including the 2 hospitals, (housed in the Exchange Hotel and the Frame House), the Bethel warehouse and the riverfront below it.
A recreation of the dummy cannon used in the attack on Newburgh
Johnson, threatening to “shell the town to the ground,” and pointing out artillery positioned in sight across the river, convinced the Home Guard commander to order the militia not to enter town. These were “Quaker guns” – dummy cannon – made from blackened logs and pieces of stovepipe mounted on sets of wagon wheels. And so, the Confederate leader was christened “Stovepipe” Johnson. Johnson’s men looted homes and stores, while joking and drinking with the townsfolk on the street and in the bars. A wagon team hauled the supplies to the river, where the waiting ferry boats and flatboats were loaded. After crossing the river, Johnson and 3 men headed for the mouth of the Green River to stall 2 Union steam boats coming upriver from Evansville. With requisitioned supplies, most of the raiders headed to a private ferry upriver on the Green River while others headed towards Slaughtersville, Kentucky. Besides the arms taken from the warehouse and hotel, the raiders acquired much-needed ammunition, sugar, coffee, blankets, medicine, a milk cow, horses, and some wagons to haul off the loot once they got to the Kentucky side.
The entire action lasted only a few hours, with not a shot fired nor a soul lost. After the raiders left, some of the townsfolk killed 2 Newburgh residents who were thought to have aided the Confederates. A few other locals were arrested by Union authorities, and indicted for conspiracy and/or treason.
The Newburgh Raid was a significant boost for Union recruiting in Indiana. Several thousand more Indiana volunteers joined the army in the following days and weeks.
The total surprise and the bloodless success was, without a doubt, a shock to many Hoosier leaders. The Home Guard and the Union troops had been caught unprepared, without sentries or security of any kind. Myrtle ridge cemetery Myrtle Ridge Cemetery, located at Sharon Road and Hwy 261, is the oldest cemetery in Newburgh. It was formally laid out in1846 and is the final resting place for 8 Civil War Soldiers. Many of the gravestones are flat to the ground or missing, but is still an interesting walk through history. For Further Reading of Newburgh History • Mulesky, Raymond, Jr., Thunder from a Clear Sky: Stovepipe Johnson’s Confederate Raid on Newburgh, Indiana. Lincoln, Neb.: iUniverse Star, 2006. • Davis, William J., ed., The Partisan Rangers of the Confederate States Army: Memoirs of General Adam R. Johnson. Austin, Tex.: State House Press, 1995. Reprint of the original edition published by Geo. G. Fetter Company, Louisville, 1904 • William Burleigh, editor, A Bicentennial Look at Newburgh Indiana, Newburgh Public Library, Newburgh, Indiana, 1976. • Historic Newburgh, Inc., Newburgh, Indiana: Celebrating 200 years 1803-2003, M.T. Publishing Company, Inc., Evansville, Indiana 2003 Sources • Terrell, W. H. H., Indiana in the War of the Rebellion: Report of the Adjutant General. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Bureau, 1960. Reprint of volume one of the eight-volume original report, 1869. See especially pages 181 to 189. • Historical Markers Erected by Women’s Club of Newburgh, Indiana 1975-1996 • Newburgh Museum Foundation • Photo credits to Town of Newburgh, Ohio Township Library, Historic Newburgh, Inc. and Newburgh Museum Newburgh Museum In 1965, the building was sold by the Presbyterian Church for $14,000 to the Town of Newburgh for a Town Hall and Museum. Eventually, the building was used for most of the municipal offices including the Police Department and the Newburgh branch of the Emergency Medical Service of Warrick County. Newburgh Museum In 2006, this stately building was transformed into Preservation Hall with a first class reception or meeting space upstairs and our Newburgh Museum downstairs.
Several times a year, the central display changes and has been for example, Pictures of Newburgh’s Past, Textiles, The Mystery Quilt, 1920 Era Kitchen, Early Newburgh Weddings, Victorian Toy Shop, Cypress Beach, Santa’s office at the North Pole and the Princess Theatre.
One of the permanent displays is the first piano in Newburgh, a Chickering square baby grand donated by the Conway family. Other permanent exhibits include the coal industry, Marcia Yockey, the railroads, Newburgh High School and the long gone “colored” school. There is a recreation of a late 1800’s parlor and an exhibit heralding our relationship with the river.
The museum is located at the corner of West Main and State Street and is open Friday and Saturday 11-3 or by special appointment call (812) 853- 5045. Photos Capturing the history of Newburgh Airport Visit N Historic 41 To Boonville Greenriver Rd Greenriver 69 261 Evansville Lloyd Expressway
Downtown 66 ToOwensboro Lincoln Ave
Bell Rd
Newburgh Covert Ave E R ToKentucky I V R Historic I O H Downtown Terre Haute, IN O Newburgh
70 INDIANA St. Louis, MO ILLINOIS 69 Where 41 Newburgh, IN Mt. Vernon, IL 64 Tradition Evansville, IN Louisville, KY 57 Owensboro, KY 65 Meets KENTUCKY Pennyrile Prkwy 24 Contemporary Hopkinsville KY
Friends of Newburgh Newburgh Museum