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.