A Geographic Interpretatioii of Cincinnati, Ohio 7 
industrial progress, hence Cincinnati’s population statistics are 
of interest. Below are the figures from the beginning of the 
nineteenth century to the last census, 1910 (including Covington 
and Newport); also the manufacturing statistics from 1840 to 
the present time: 
1800. . . . 
Population 
856 
Manufactures 
1860 . . . 
Population 
187,561 
Manufactures 
$56,995,062 
1810. . . . 
2,953 
1870 . . . 
255,831 
70,000,000 
1820. . . . 
9,642 
1880 . . . 
305,292 
145,947,280 
1830. . . . 
26,289 
1890 . . . 
358,197 
218,751,545 
1840. . . . 
48,364 
$16,366,443 
1900 . . . 
397,141 
169,498,035 
1850. . . . 
....130,738 
46,189,279 
1910 . . . 
. ... 448,012 
206,288,0006 
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH FROM 1800 TO 1850 
Reasons for Cincinnati s rapid industrial growth. During the 
first half of the last century, Cincinnati grew more rapidly than 
any other city in this country. In addition to the general reasons 
for the prosperity of the Miami country, there were also special 
reasons why Cincinnati should become a manufacturing center. 
Raw materials for manufacturing were easily accessible. Clays 
for making brick and pottery were abundant in the lower part 
of the town, limestone was present in large quantities in the beds 
of the Licking and the Ohio, and the materials for glass making 
were at hand in great abundance. Wood was plentiful in the 
neighborhood, and coal was brought down the river at a very cheap 
rate. Iron ore from the Hanging Rock region was easily acces- 
sible. Moreover, Cincinnati had splendid harbor facilities. In 
1815 the prediction was made by Dr. Drake' that Cincinnati was 
to be the future metropolis of Ohio, by reason of its location oppo- 
site ‘the Licking, and its great expanse of shore, with no shoals 
or reefs to prevent the landing of boats. 
Growth from 1800 to 1820. During the first twenty years of 
the nineteenth century, Cincinnati’s population increased about 
thirteen-fold, and the city became known as, next to Pittsburg, 
the greatest place for manufactures and mechanical operations 
on the river. 
Influence of transportation lines. This commercial progress 
was doubtless largely due to the fact that during this period steam- 
® Approximate. 
7 Daniel Drake, Picture of Cincinnati, 1815, p. 231. 
