INDUSTRY OF COUNTIES. 
301 
his report for 1853, says: “ The harbor of Kenosha is improv¬ 
able for the accommodation of shipping to any amount tha^ 
can be required. Its ample basin is embosomed in the city 
without obstructing its streets materially; and, with an ample 
depth of water, opens naturally, both north and south, by a 
broad passage, offering nearly a mile of front along the main 
shore, and sheltered, for that extent, by wliat was originally an 
island, but is now a peninsula, yet susceptible of being easily 
restored to its insular condition.’’ What was true then is even 
more so now, for it has been considerably improved since that 
date, and is constantly undergoing still further improvement. 
The lumber trade of this port is carried on extensively by 
several enterprising individuals. It is mostly composed of 
pine lumber, though considerable is imported for the purpose 
of converting it into wagons, and some other articles requiring 
hard wood. All kinds of hard wood here find a ready sale at 
fair prices. Several vessels here find constant employment 
during the season of navigation in this important branch of 
commerce. (See census reports for statistics.) It is confi¬ 
dently believed that when our western railroad is completed to 
Harvard or Rockford the commercial business will be greatly 
enhanced. Large quantities of lumber must here centre to 
supply the interior consumption, which is constantly on the 
increase. Instead of going around by Chicago, a long, cir¬ 
cuitous, and expensive route, it will naturally take the nearest 
and most direct route, which is along the line of the Kenosha, 
Rockford Rock Island Railroad. 
Another and growing branch of industry is conducted at 
this port; that of the white fishery. It is considered one of 
the best fisheries on the lake. Large amounts are annually 
taken and salted, and shipped to different parts of the country. 
Better docks, capacious warehouses, elevators, &c., are being 
added, and other evidences of commercial thrift are increasing 
from year to year. 
The Kenosha, Rockford & Rock Island R. R. opens to this 
port the great grain trade of interior Southern Wisconsin and 
Northern Illinois, and by means of side tracks communicating 
