History
of Jeffersonville, Indiana, usa
Historic
district
Shopping history
Attractions
special events links
Lodging Restaurants
On June 23, 1802 Isaac Bowman, who owned tract No. 1 of Clark's Grant, disposed
of part of it to trustees to lay off a town and sell lots. The trust
contained 150 acres and was laid off according to a design said to have been
devised by Thomas Jefferson, for whom the town was named.
A Mr. Palmer, who was in
Jeffersonville in 1817 said: "Jeffersonville stands on the banks of the Ohio,
nearly opposite Louisville and a little above the Falls. It contains about
130 houses of brick, frame and hewn logs. The bank of the river is high,
which affords a fine view of Louisville, the Falls and the opposite hills.
Just below the town is a fine eddy for boats. A post-office and a
land-office for the sale of United States lands, are established and it promises
to become a place of wealth, elegance and extensive business. The most
eligible boat channel is on the Indiana side of the Ohio."
By 1819 The Jeffersonville Springs
resort was located just north of Spring Street on 13 acres. In 1838 the
resort owners built a big hotel at the foot of Spring Street on the banks of the
Ohio and it was the finest hotel in Indiana or Kentucky. The 1840's brought
interest in the railroad and the Jeffersonville Railroad Company was
incorporated in 1846, becoming the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1873, In 1864
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars were appropriated by Congress to build
the united states Quartermaster Depot at Jeffersonville. In 1870 was
launched the steamer, James Howard, at the Howard ship yards in Jeffersonville.
She was the largest inland river steamer ever built in western waters. The
Big Four Railroad Bridge was completed in 1895. These early components of
Jeffersonville's history are still around today.
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Known in the 19th century for the steamboats manufactured here,
Jeffersonville is still a major inland boat manufacturer now know as JeffBoat.
For a mile and a quarter on the northern bank of the Ohio River barge
building gets top priority. Machinists, carpenters, pipe fitters and
other trades people complete about 350 barges a year. Jeffboat, just
across the river from Louisville, Ky., also builds towboats and manages a
dockside repair facility. The company calls itself the largest inland
boat-building company in the United States. Remnants of the old days can still be seen at the
Howard Steamboat Museum directly across the street from JeffBoat.
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Recent riverfront
development with downtown retail and recreational features make Jeffersonville a popular destination. Jeffersonville has several waterfront
restaurants, restaurants located in the historic commercial district,
offices, retail shops, and bed and breakfasts. Our
Waterfront enhancements include the addition of recreation and public space
at the beautiful Terrace Lawn incorporated with the historic Overlook.
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Future Plans include opening the Big Four Bridge
as a
pedestrian walkway connecting Jeffersonville to Downtown Louisville, the
historic Quadrangle project has become the new city hall with commercial space,
and the transformation of the former Carnegie Library into a historic museum and
meeting facility. Our historic district is becoming once again the hub of
the city, come and see our beautiful old town on the fun side of the River.
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