1866-1886 Area Hist Pt 1

...........................................A Glimpse of Yesteryears 1866–1886
.......................................................By Mary Jane Layne

In Lynchburg and surrounding areas the twenty years between 1866 and 1886 were marred by
at least three devastating floods which washed away dams, bridges and railroad bridges,
homes and shops, and damaged the canal. The James rose as high as 26 ft on one occasion and
another time was said to have risen an inch a minute after torrential rains and 10 people were
drowned. In 1878, a new steel bridge to Amherst County was opened at a cost of $15, 000.

In addition to the floods, fires were a problem. In 1882 work was started on a paid fire
department and two stations were completed. In May of 1883, a very large fire broke out near
Main and 10th Streets. Holcomb Hall, a brick addition to Centenary Church built in 1833,
caught but the flames were extinguished. Two or three blocks were destroyed. Five firemen
died in collapsing buildings and there was a great loss of property. Later a memorial fountain
was erected at the bottom of Court House Hill ( Monument Terrace). The fountain was later
moved to Miller Park to make room for the Doughboy Statue.

In January of 1866, the Lynchburg News appeared as one of Lynchburg’s dailies. In March, the
Reconstruction Act established a military governor for 10 southern states on grounds of there
being “no legal” government for protection of life and property. Three years later, President
Andrew Johnson extended “full and unconditional pardon to all engaged in the rebellion,
without restrictions, to all and every person directly or indirectly engaged in it, with
restoration of all rights under the constitution”. Virginia ratified the new constitution in 2/69
and on 1/4/70 was readmitted to the Union. There were celebrations in Richmond “ but
Lynchburg took it quietly, not being especially thankful”.

Rails were linked together at Promontory Point, Utah, (5/10/68) providing train service all the
way across the country to the west coast. Railroads were booming. In 1850 only 9,000 miles of
track had been laid and in 1870 there were 52,922 miles. Lynchburg was somewhat of a
railroad hub, being served by three companies and boasting a street rail system with horse
drawn cars. The Union Depot was opened in 1875 at the foot of Ninth St. where two railroads
came together. On 6/18/84, a most remarkable RR accident occurred at the river. Brakes failed
on a south bound Midland Train which then derailed , tore up bridge structural timbers and two
Pullman cars went into the river. Water rushed in and awoke the sleeping passengers who
clung on to curtain rods to keep their heads above the water. A young man, James Murks, came
with an ax, cut holes in the cars and rescued all the passengers.

Services that we take for granted now, were just being born during this period. America’s
Centennial was celebrated in 1876 and the telephone was demonstrated at the Centennial
Exhibition in Philadelphia. Many Lynchburgers went to Philly to see the wonderful exhibits. In
1879, Thomas Edison harnessed electricity. Five years later, 6 to 8 electric lights were installed
on the cupola of the Court House and on March 9th were turned on. Hundreds turned out to see
the marvels of this new invention.

Some other interesting happenings during this time include the following:
1. The Red Delicious Apple was developed.
2. Pillsbury Flour was introduced.
3. The Mormon Tabernacle was built.
4. The first White House Easter Egg Roll was held.
5. The first transatlantic cable was laid.
6. Eleanor Roosevelt was born.