204 



CENSUS RETURNS OF RAOINE. 



Id 1840, the population was only 337 In 1849, it was 4002 



1844, 1,100 1850, 5,111 



1847, 3,004 1851, 5,897 



And at this date, 1852, our i^opulation will doubtless exceed G,000. 



Racine Harbor. — The population of Racine is composed mainly of matter-of- 

 fact people, the business portion of whom are markedly utilitarian in their views, 

 and practical and discreet in their operations. And although in their expendi- 

 tures for public works, and in aid of all laudable euterprizes, they have displayed 

 a munificence unsurpassed in any countiy so newly peopled, yet in the bestow- 

 ment of their liberality they have usually discriminated in favor of objects of 

 known utility. Princi]3ally by their own energy and enterprize, and by heavy 

 expenditures from their private means, a harbor has been constructed here that 

 can accommodate all the shipping that navigates this Lake, 



The people themselves projected and commenced this important work; and, up 

 to the present time, they have expended 



In its construction $43,352 42 



Add this amount, appropriated by Congress 12,500 00 



And the total cost of the Harbor at this date will be $55,852 42 



It is believed to be without a parallel in the history of the improvement of the 

 Lake region of the West, that a single community, of limited population, should 

 have projected and successfully prosecuted, mainly by their own efl;brts — by per- 

 sonal services, individual contributions, and self-imposed taxes — a public work of 

 the nature and masnitude of the Harbor at Racine. 



As A Harbour of Refuge. — For the retreat and shelter of Vessels navigat- 

 ing Lake Michigan in stormy weather, or in the winter months during the close 

 of navigation, Racine possesses the advantage of ample capacity in her inner 

 harbor, with an abundant depth of watei- in the River immediately above. A 

 merchant fleet of a hundred sail of Lake craft, could lie in perfect security here, 

 with their anchorage protected from stoi'ins by the adjacent blutis. — 1,GG0 vessels 

 visited this Port during the last season of navigation; and 24 sail of vessels 

 found a "snuor harbor" here during the winter. 



Ship-Building at Racine. — The Port of Racine consequently offers superior 

 advantages for the building, equipment, and repairing of all classes of Lake 

 vessels. Ship timber abounds in the immediate vicinity, and ship knees are even 

 exported hence to New York at a profit. There are two Ship-Yards in active 

 operation here, owned respectively by Messrs. Justice Bailey and Daniel P. Put- 

 nev, each of whom has erected a Rail-wav at his Yard, on which to haul out 

 vessels for repairs, itr. — 3 schooners were built at these Yards during the last 



