Cumminsville

From Hanksplace

When David Cummins, the owner of the tannery and keeper of the tavern, disposed of his property, seventy odd acres were acquired by Ephraim Knowlton, who was by all odds the most conspicuous man of the village. A postoffice being established here in 1838, Knowlton, whose commission bears the date of June 4 of that year, was made postmaster. It was then, in honor of his tanner friend and pioneer, that he gave the hamelt, for the first time, the name of Cumminsville. (Page 12)

The First Subdivision. In 1845 Ephraim Knowlton laid out a part of his farm in lots. Thise, the first subdivision of Cumminsville, extended from Millcreek to the west of Colerain Pike, and from the street south of the Mill Creek House to Hoffner Street. (Page 13)

The Miami Canal. The opening of the Miami Canal was an event of great importance to our city and the Cumminsville in particular. It was chartered in 1824 and construction began at Middlestown in July, 1825, with imposing ceremonies. DeWitt Clinton, of New York, then regarded by some as the greatest living American statesman and the "father of canals," delivered the address, and Governor Jeremiah Morrow and Ex-Governor Brown, who, in 1819, had publicly urged the enterprise, together turned the first spadefuls of earth. The section from Middletown to Cincinnati was completed in 1827, and Ephraim Knowlton dug the mile which passes through Cumminsville northward. In May of 1827 two boats passed from "Howell's Basin" (near Clifton Avenue), six miles from Cincinnati, amid the enthusiastic jollification of sightseers and passengers of all ranks and stations. Subsequently, when further completed to Dayton in 1828, the event was celebrated by elaborate ceremonies and festivities. The first boat plying locally was the "Hannibal of Carthage," owned by Ephraim Knowlton and Sidney Knowlton. The great waterway relieved the drudgery of transport by mud roads and was of incalculable benefit to the people, facilitating commerce and raising the valuation of adjacent lands. It was the custom in early days to organize "canal-boat pleasure parties" similar to "trolley parties" of today. (Pages 13-14)

Presbyterial Recognition and Aid. Oct 16, 1855 the Presbytery of Cincinnati was duly organized. A charter member was Mary Ann Knowlton. The old "First Presbyterian Church of Cumminsville" was located at the southeast corner of Lingo and Langland Streets. It was torn down in 1887. (Page 21)

The German Evagelical Church. The organization of the German Luthern congregation took form in 1855. In that year Georg Godelmann, Johann Sulau and Wilhelm Poppe united in an effort to establish a church and school. On September 15 they decided to invite, on September 22, the German Protestants of Cumminsville and the neighborhood to Wilhelm Poppe's home to discuss the proposition. This they did through the two German newspapers, the "Volksfreund" and the "Volksblatt." The gathering took place, and the plan being approved, organization of a congregation proceeded, followed by the election of officers. The congregation so formed ordered its elders to hold services every Sunday and on holidays, and a school the first five days of each week. The elders were commissioned to canvass Cumminsville to secure contributions. By the end of October 1855, the number of members had reached sixteen. The greatest drawback was the bad roads, so that few people came to church. A locality for services was now sought, and Ephraim Knowlton rented the society, for a small sum, Knowlton's Hall, in the third story of the stone house known as Knowlton's Block. Both Knowlton and his son (Sidney) were generous and friend to the Germans and assisted them in their efforts to establish a church society. (Page 23)

Citizens of 1851. Mr. M. S. Turrill, who came to Cumminsville in 1851, published an alphabetical list of the foremost citizens whom he met here at that time. These were the "backbone hustler," the "business pushers" and the "good recruit getters" of the period, all of whom and many others have passed from earth, and whose memories are to him and others every bright: Erastus M. Burgoyne, Ephraim Knowlton... They are honored as pioneers and useful men." (Page 28)

Industries. The rise and progress of industries in Cumminville may be epitomized as follows:

The first business venture outside of the keeping of taverns was the tanning leather by David Cummins. Then followed the temporary project of building the mile of the Miami Canal in 1825-27 by Ephraim Knowlton. About the same time Ephraim Knowlton opened a general country store and became engaged in all sorts of building ventures-erecting dwellings and a pork-packing establishement, which was subsequently changed to a pottery and lastly to a grist mill. (Page 31)

Ephraim Knowlton & son had business interest in operation by 1869 at the corner of Hamilton Pike and Spring Grove Avenue in groceries, crockery, boots and shores, hats, caps, etc. (Page 33)

The Blue Goose. In opposition tot he "Hotel of the Golden Lamb" arose about 1825, the celebrated "Blue Goose Tavern." A legal agreement between Hutchinson and Cummins conserving the business interests of the former for ten years having expired, the latter sold the northeast of the tannery triangle to two brothers, who erected thereon a plain building which was rented for a lunch room and rooming place for the laborers working upon the canal, then being dug under the supervision of Ephraim Knowlton. It became notorious for its carousals and for many years bore an unsavory reputation. The place finally attained the dignity of a tavern and became known far and near as the Blue Goose. (Page 41)

Mill Creek House. By all odds the most conspicuous hostelry within the memory of the living was the Old Mill Creek House built a bout 1844 by Ephraim Knowlton. In its palmiest days it was the most noted roadhouse to the north of Cincinnati and in time became the most notorous. Originally a well conducted and respectable inn, through visitations of horsemen and others of sporting proclivities, it gradually acquired an unenviable reputation and was largely shunned by the careful and self-respecting citizen. When kept by Mr. Knowlton in 1844 and by a Mr. Harrison and a Mr. Kregman, it was patronized by the best of people. In 1840, when General Harrison was elected to th ePresidency, Mill Creek House was the "polls" of Mill Creek Township. Some time in the 40's it was kept by a Frenchman. For some reason or another his place was mobbed and he hastily took "French leave" for parts unknown. a company of cavalry for service in the Mexican War coming along found it vacant, and, occupying it, made themselves at home in it for several days. Among those in laters years who kept this house respectable place to which families might resort were Thomas and William Stevens, the former subsequently becoming mayor of Cincinnati. It was gradually demolished and finally razed in 1901. (Page 42)

The Fergus-Langlands Home. An early landmark still standing is the Fergus-Langlands Homestead, built by Alexander Langlands in 1822. It crowns the slope at the corner of Blue Rock and Fergus Streets and is typically colonial in style. It was sometimes known as the old Knowlton Home, Ephraim Knowlton having owned it and lived there for a time. (Page 43)

Genesee House. The Genesee House, once a boarding house, and in earlier days the residence of Marmaduke Dodsworth, pioneer distiller, who came to Cumminsville in 1842, was a handsome structure of hospitale type-hall in the center, flanked by parlors and living rooms-a mansion in its time. It was built by Ephraim Knowlton for his residence, and later, with the grounds, sold to Dodsworth for $20,000. (Page 43)

Knowlton's Stone Store. To the present and the past generations perhaps the Knowlton Stone House at Knowlton's Corner is the best known landmark in Cumminsville. It was built in 1847 by Ephraim Knowlton, who kept there a grocery and general store, selling staple groceries, boots and shoes, agricultureal implements, and other commodieties which made up the typical village store. The freestone step at the entrance to the store marks the flood line of 1847. In front of the store stood the old wooden village pump, drawing from a depth of thirty-five feet cold, sweet and clear water, supplying the thirsty traveler, which his stock drank the captive waters from the trough hewn from the huge log of wood. This well was in use up to 1889. The old stone house and store, once ancient in design, and linking the past and the present of Cumminsville, and round which centered the business activities and (in Knowlton's Hall, on the third floor) the social educational, and religious functions of the early days, still stands, a monument of endurance, but sadly altered from it picturesque architectural aspect of village days by the endeavor to give its front a freestone appearance. Flanking the two sides of the triangle behind the store frame structures were built at a later period, and have long served for commercial purposes. Knowlton's Corner has been facetiously called "Cumminsville's Fountain Square." (Pages 44)

Souvenir "History of Cumminsville