What the Sight Seer saw in 1856, sketches of Covington from Ballou's

What the Sight-Seer Saw in Covington and

Newport Back There in 1856

Ballou's Pictorial

Companion Brings Old

Scenes to Light

A NORTHERN KENTUCKIAN conning the pages of Ballou's Pictorial Drawing Room Compan­ion of Dec. 20, 1856, a very proper sort of book to read while waiting for the young lady to hoop-skirt down ready for the buggy ride, finds interesting pictures of the Covington and Newport of that day.

The pictures are reproduced on this page from the Companion.

And here is what Ballou’s has to say in explanation:

"We present herewith a series of very reliable sketches made ex­pressly for us by Mr. Kilburn, il­lustrating the principal features of Covington and Newport, Ky. The first named place is situated on the Kentucky bank of the Ohio River upon a fine plain. This lo­cation commands a fine view of the city of Cincinnati, which lies directly opposite.

"The streets of Covington and Newport are laid out in such man­ner that, when seen from an ele­vated position, they appear to be a continuation of those of Cincin­nati. Both towns are connected with Cincinnati by steam ferries.

"The first picture represents the Free School, Newport, a fine, substantial brick building, well adapt­ed to the purpose for which it was erected. The pupils in this school, under competent teachers, who are liberally paid for their services, receive an excellent edu­cation. The pupils evince great interest in their teachers and zeal in their studies.

"The Market and Square, Cov­ington, are depicted from a point of view on Greenup-st. It has a lively and bustling appearance.

"Another object of interest is the fine Suspension Bridge which connects Covington with Newport upon the ether side of the Lick­ing. It is a fine and substantial place of building.

"Newport owes its rapid growth and importance chiefly to its proximity to Cincinnati and the beauty of its situation. Newport and the villages of Jamestown and Brooklyn, embracing about 2000 acres, will in a few years probably be consolidated into one town. It contains several rolling mills, iron foundries and steam mills and a manufactory of silk goods; also, one bank and one or two newspaper offices.

"The population in 1853 was about 3500.

"At Covington many persons do­ing business in Cincinnati reside, owing to the facilities of inter­course. It is connected with Lex­ington by a railroad about 90 miles long."