|
A town was platted very early on part of or near the site of Darwin, probably by Doctor Patrick and John Essary.
Septer and Charles Patrick were immigrants from Auburn, near New York, and came here in 1818.
Septer Patrick was a physician of more than ordinary ability, and both were active, enterprising men, who appreciated the advantages of the landing and laid out the village of Sterling.
In the following year the county was formed and in connection with Charles Fitch, Doctor Patrick laid out the town of Aurora on the bend of the river above Darwin, securing the location of the county seat at that point.
It is probable that though the site of Sterling was more eligible for a town, the persons interested did not command land enough to make the investment profitable and so moved up the river.
The site chosen had but a single feature to recommend the location.
The landing is one of the best on the river, but there was no room for the town without climbing a bluff which would be the death of any village enterprise.
Nevertheless, the county seat was fixed at Aurora, a courthouse was built, but that was the end of the project.
The courthouse still remains [1883] to do service as a stable, and a single residence, that of O. C. Lowell, marks the site of the ambitious village.
The county seat was subsequently changed to Darwin, which was laid out [in 1825] from land contributed by John McClure.
It is said to have received its name from Doctor Patrick for the father of Charles Darwin, the celebrated naturalist and author.
The prestige of the county seat did little for the growth of Aurora.
The Leonard brothers and Doctor Patrick moved there and began some business enterprises, and Silas Hoskin opened a tavern, but the failure of this enterprise was a foregone conclusion.
Darwin flourished as though it had no near rival.
John Essary was licensed to keep a tavern 'at his now place of residence, situate near John McClure's at the head of Walnut Prairie,' and McClure was
licensed 'to keep a ferry across the Wabash River at his house.'
. . .
In 1825 the village was regularly platted and recorded.
The original village comprising sixteen blocks of eight lots each, laid out parallel with the river, on what was known as McClure's bluff.
It was situated on the first "bench," commanding one of the pleasantest outlooks on the river, and overlooking a considerable extent of bottomland, which served as an admirable boat landing.
The first store was opened by Worden & Wooster, in a cabin fronting on the river, just north of the Harlan residence, which was erected by Mr. Kibbey.
These merchants made their first appearance in Darwin about 1829 ... they stayed only about a year.
They were succeeded in the fall of 1830 by John and James Waters, who used the log cabin for a while, but subsequently erected a brick building, which still [c. 1883] stands on the river bank on the northern part of the village.
. . .
Knott & Phillips opened a small grocery store in a building which stood on the riverfront, near the present [c. 1883] mill.
. . .
The agitation in reference to a removal of the county seat, which occurred from 1833 to 1837, had a very depressing influence on the prosperity of Darwin.1
**To be continued**
|
