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| History of Two Rivers |
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| Shipping & Commerce | ||
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Even as
late as 1865, the commerce of Manitowoc did not equal
that of Two Rivers; the exports of the former in that
year totaled $72,122 while the latter mounted to a sum
of $112,762. The population in 1855 was 1,852, double
the figure of 1850. By 1860, the town had been divided
into two wards. During the sixties, there was an influx
of Poles, but in 1870 the population in Two Rivers was
only 1,365. Probably both the Civil War and the western
expansion caused the slump. Emigration west between 1875
and 1880 reduced the county population by 1,050, but Two
Rivers gained, and in 1880 boasted 2,052 souls. In the
next five years, it gained 512 and by 1895 had 3,593.
The reason for the steady increase was a new development
of manufacturing, which I will take up directly. By 1840, Two Rivers was on the regular Great Lakes trade routes and the schooner Liberty under Captain Guyles was making regular trips to Milwaukee. In 1841, the schooner Ocean was added. During the next year, many other ships made port regularly, the Gazelle, the Milwaukee, the Savannah, the Jessie Smith, the Wave, the Meeme, and the Mechanic among them. Four schooners clearing in one day from Two Rivers was not an unusual occurrence. Of course, with the booming of shipping, the community made demands upon Congress for appropriations to improve the harbor facilities, but the sand bars and the deposition due to the converging of the two rivers just before they enter the lake proved a natural obstacle that spoils Two Rivers harbor to this very day. In 1852 a lighthouse was built here, constructed by Deacon H.H. Smith as contractor. The bridge pier was constructed in 1854 and the Packard pier in 1867. About 1875, work was begun on the project of constructing two parallel piers at the harbor, these to be 260 feet apart, and estimated to cost $265,588. Hanson and Scove had the contract for laying the cribs. Sand bars hindered the work and raised the cost greatly and the pier extension was not finished until 1884. In 1874, the new lighthouse was built and for years later the life saving station was established with a permanent paid force. Captain Scove was the first commander, followed by Captain Pilon in 1880. In connection with the pier improvement, it should be noted that Henry Mann offered to pay the expenses of a United States dredge to help complete the project. The Two Rivers Manufacturing Company depended upon the lake commerce to export its wares and so was vitally interested in the shipping facilities. The 110-foot steel tower lighthouse at Twin River Point was built in 1894 to lessen the hazards of this treacherous point, which had been the doom of many ships, notably the steamer Vernon, which went down on October 28, 1887, with from 30 to 50 on board. Only Alfred Stone, the fireman, survived but was insane. Nine of the bodies are buried in Potter's field at Two Rivers. In 1854, exactly 74 steamers and 41 sailing vessels stopped at Two Rivers. It is interesting to contrast this large list with the few colliers and tramps that put into port now. The Goodrich line started in 1856 and the steamer Huron called at Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Two Rivers daily. The Ward line also ran the Gazelle at Two Rivers and Manitowoc daily. Perhaps the greatest reason for the sudden and definite decline of lake shipping was the coming of the railroad. Then, too, the natural advantages of Manitowoc harbor were giving that port prominence, despite the ambition and zeal of Two Rivers manufacturers and shippers, and from 1875 on, Manitowoc grew steadily into a commercial lake port, while Two Rivers developed into a manufacturing center, relying more and more on the railroad.
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