4locally Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Period of Significance The New Richmond Water Works and Electric Station is significant under Criterion A in the area of Industry, because for over eighty years the plan provided vital utility In 1814, Jacob Light founded New Richmond. Two years later, Thomas Ashburne and renamed New Richmond. From the first there was growth, the natural growth of a town laid out by men of vision, Light with his businesslike approach and Ashburne with his desire to create a town to match the beauty of the River. Early development activity included the sale of lots, building of homes and service shops, establishment Then the additions and subdivisions started with George McMurchy's being the first and largest addition. During the short span of five years between 1849 and 1854 schools with a new school built before 1860. N.M.
Prebble was the mayor. years was a period of progress slowed only slightly by two major floods.Important paved with limestone set on edge. Industries such as the J. & H. Clasgens' woolen mills, Fridman's lumber yard, White's carriage works flourished. A spacious new hotel was built to accommodate the demands of travelers for both business and holiday. The river was a major means of transportation, with packet boats carrying both freight 1899-1943 1926 1924 Industry Significant Dates Significant Person See continuation sheet Architect/Builder and passengers. Applicable National Register Criteria public water to the community and was one of the first such facilities in the region. Cultural Affiliation State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above.
of marketplaces for area farmers, a wharf for river trade, and many good schools. buildings were erected, street lights were maintained, the river bank was graded and After 1924, its services were confined to water supply, which continued until 1983. By 1870 New Richmond was a thriving river port, population 3000. The next thirty nationally Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) there were seven major additions. During this period there was advancement in the National Register of Historic Places New Richmond Water Works and Electric Station, Clermont County, Ohio As the century was nearing a close, the village was ripe for new technology including electricity, the telephone, and a central water plant. They needed direction and elected mayor in 1896. Purcell had long been an active member of the community.
between Cincinnati and New Orleans, he served as New Richmond wharf master and owner in the late nineteenth century. He also served as Clermont County commission- er. Purcell had served on the unsuccessful Light Committee in 1887. Everyone agreed there was a need for a ready and abundant supply of water. It would be useful to industry, businesses, and homes. Safety was a large factor as fire was system it was noted that the revised plan would still provide good fire protection to all".) However, many residents and businessmen felt that the energy sources available equipment of transporting electricity. Power could be created on site by use of a a power plant, erect poles, string wires? Even the cities were reluctant to establish electric power plants. There were many individual, private steam powered generators of electricity for limited use. Cincinnati place of gas for lighting.
It was not until the development of transmission lines and transformers that it became practical to replace small plants with large central power stations, and electric lighting came into widespread and accepted use. Electricity had been recognized as a marvelous new tool, but regarded as an industrial tool. It was a source of energy to operate all the marvelous machines which were so People seem to have been fearful of having it in their homes, and perhaps rightfully so. Their established methods of providing light was satisfactory. National Park Service Continuation Sheet to them were quite adequate.They were reluctant to invest in the expensive source for mechanical devices was examined.But electricity as a light source?
Having begun his riverboat experience at the age of 16, spending years piloting much in the public eye.It was the machine age and any new application or power Gas Light & Coke Company felt providing gas to its customers was a central steam and people found their gas, oil and kerosene lights satisfactory. Why construct importance and that providing electricity was not feasible and would never take the leadership, somebody to take the initiative. This came in the person of F. M. Purcell, a very real danger.
(When the power plant budget required reduction of the pipe Natlonal Register of Historic Places New Richmond Water Works and Electric Station, Clermont County, Ohio as Hamilton, Ohio), people were generally resistant to the idea of electric production Council minutes show that in 1887 the right to erect poles and wires was sought and right of way was adopted, but nothing further occurred. Perhaps a levy put on the ballot and failed, because oil expenditures continue and there is no further talk, on Short, mayor. election to permit the issue of bonds in the amount of $30,000 passed voters. The first meeting of the Board of Electric Light & Water Works Trustees was held October More than 40 respondents met in the Opera House. After hearing the bids of the various contractors, the Board was forced to scale down awarded on December 9, 1898.
The reservoir would be located on the hillside just beyond the village. Water Company right of way was repealed on December 2, 1889, signed by C. W. Continuation Sheet would be reasonable (with no actual dollar amount being given).To demonstrate their By 1896 citizens felt favorable toward electric lighting.F.M.Purcell's first act as plan was larger than absolutely necessary."Modified bids were made and contracts applicants, Mr. J. F. Witmer of Buffalo, New York was chosen and directed by Village plats showing"location of arc and incandescent lamps, etc."were available.
plants and it took a very few determined individuals to persevere.The New Richmond the plans."This could be done without damaging the plant in the least as the original The people of New Richmond apparently agreed.As in other rural communities (such a study of costs requested.The Silvey Light & Water Company stated that the charge satisfied with light and price, they do not have to invest."The ordinance granting Were posed for examination of bidders in New York, Cincinnati,and New Richmond. confidence, they stated "If the people of New Richmond and the council are not National Park Service Two acres at the price of $4oo.o0 was purchased from P. B.Huston for the reservoir. Section number .&Page. Page - 2 record, at least, of supplying electricity. The ordinance permitting Silvey Light & mayor was to call a meeting about a power plant.
On September 12, 1898 a special examined.The town advertised for bids for construction.Plans and specifications telegram to "Come at once. Potential sites for the plan and the reservoir were 21, 1898. The first order of business was to hire a civil engineer. Of thirteen Natlonal Register of Historic Places Clermont County, Ohio For the plant itself, one and one-half riverside acres were purchased from Mike Thiel this evening for the first time in New Richmond".
And the ol' lamplighter with his oil can and ladder was no longer walking the streets of New Richmond to light the corner went from the "lethargy of a country town" to "an up-to-date little city, enjoying the conveniences of modern appliances and improvements." Where formerly the streets were often enshrouded in darkness, unfitted to be comfortable thoroughfares, the beautiful lawns, which lay brown beneath the hot rays of the sun, because there were no means of refreshing the drooping grass and flowers with copious supplies of water, and even the dust on the streets is all overcome, by the present unlimited hydrant supply. But even more welcome and useful will be this abundance to the household, the mills, and the factories. It was the first to be installed in For twenty-five years the water works & electric station answered the community's demands for electricity.
In 1924 local production of electricity was discontinued and Southwestern Ohio Power Company furnished the town's power needs. The plant continued to serve as the water works. In 1926 New Richmond officials made the decision to cease using the river as a source for their water and to drill two deep wells at the plant site. Two wings were added to house the two wells. The water from the wells was pumped into the filtering and softening plant, then to the lime settling tank and finally, as before, to the National Park Service Euphorically, Thirey and Mitchell stated the following in 1902: Continuation Sheet for $275.00. New Richmond Water Works and Electric Station radiant arc light transforms the gloom into day.Her reservoir on the hill where it was gravity-fed back to the village in the valley.
oil lamps.In the space of eight busy months (December 9 to August 7),the village Section number _ 8 Page _ 3 The Trustees' minutes for August 7, 1899 read: "...the street arc lamps were lighted National Register of Historic Places New Richmond Water Works and Electric Station, Clermont County, Ohio The sturdy plant withstood the ravaging 1937 flood. It continued to operate until the water reached the high lift pumps on the second floor and forced a shut-down until removed when the new water works was built in 1983. After eighty-four years of United Statee Department of the Interior the flood water had receded.The lime settling tank and the high lift pumps were Continuation Sheet service, the 1899 building discontinued operation. National Park Service Page _ 4 Section number .8 New Richmond Water Works & Electric Station, Clermont Co., OH 9.
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