“At last the Tremper Shoe company have found a home. They have purchased the lot and old Wait Cabinet work building on West Second street corner of Madison street. The old building will be torn away and a new three story brick structure much larger than the old building will Continue Reading
Boneyfiddle
Ephemera Friday #25: City Beer Garden Advertisement
This advertisement for the City Beer Garden, operated by William Asche, appeared in the Portsmouth Times on December 16, 1882. The establishment was located at the corner of Eighth and Chillicothe Streets in Portsmouth, Ohio — an area that, at the time, was becoming increasingly known for its saloons, beer Continue Reading
Blake’s Big Show: Where the Buffalo Hang and the Possums Roast!
“Bear meat! bear meat! bear meat!Buffalo meat! buffalo meat!Venison! venison! venison!Turkeys, roasting pigs, coons, possums, chickens, ducks, geese, and the finest beef, mutton, veal, pork and lamb in the city, at Blake’s, Saturday and Monday, December 22nd and 24th.” “Go to Blake’s big show and see the Buffalo hanging whole Continue Reading
Zornes’ Narrow Escape
“Driver Jack Zornes had a narrow escape from drowning at the foot of Market street this morning.” “Zornes was engaged in hauling iron for Jack Anderson. He was just about to start up the grade, when his team began backing in the river. Soon the wagon and horses were over Continue Reading
Ephemera Friday #24: Market Square Postcard
“This week’s ephemera feature is a donated linen postcard depicting Market Square in Portsmouth, Ohio, looking north from 2nd and Market Street. On the left stands the Brandel Drug Store, a well-known business of the time, while just beyond the trees in the center of the square rises St. Mary’s Continue Reading
Wedding Was Big Surprise
“Henry S. Mershon and Miss Mary C. Ellison surprised their friends by getting married Tuesday afternoon, Revered Frederick Redfern performing the ceremony. The groom is employed as a driver for Contractor James Wanless. He and bride will make their home with his widowed mother at Sixth and Market Streets.”
Scenes from the Riverbank: Portsmouth’s Early Days Remembered
“Dear Times:—I aimed to say that the first cabin was built on the ground occupied by Portsmouth, at the lower end of Front street, about seventeen hundred and ninety-five. Seventy-five was entirely too early, as a majority of your readers doubtless are aware that the first permanent settlement in Ohio Continue Reading
The Noble Art of Begging
“Roy McElhaney had a little experience with professional beggars last week that has caused him to lose considerable faith in the goodness of humankind. Last Wednesday as he was at work in his shop on Market street, he was approached by a poorly dressed, forlorn looking young woman who handed Continue Reading
The Ohio River was Sixteen Inches Deep
“Engineer Bryan has planted a limestone at the foot of the stone walk from the Biggs House to the river, the surface of which shows the lowest point reached by the Ohio river within the recollection of our oldest river men. The surface of the stone is marked “September 15, Continue Reading
A New Home for Spring Lane Distiller Michael Stanton
A contract has been awarded to build a residence for Mr. Michael Stanton on Second Street, near Washington Kinney’s property. The Italian bracket-style home will measure 65 by 38 feet, featuring stone window trimmings and modern amenities, making it the city’s most complete dwelling of its type. Captain AB Alger designed the plans.