The population of Cincinnati in 1815 was 6,498;[556] in 1826, 16,230;[557] and in 1830, 25,279.[558]
Louisville derived her greatest advantage from the river trade. Before the building of the canal, goods brought down the river, had to be unloaded here and carried around the Falls.[559] The steam boat commerce of this city amounted in 1820 to 29,014 tons.[560] The wealth of Louisville was employed chiefly in the importation of merchandise from New Orleans, and the eastern cities, and the shipment of western produce to the Southern and Atlantic markets.[561] Manufactures were developed to some extent.[562] The population increased from 1350 in 1810, to 10, 336 in 1830.[563]
Marietta had, in the early period, engaged quite extensively in the ship building industry, which declined from about 1807 to 1816, when it was revived again.[564] In 1814 this town was engaged in manufacturing and carried on quite a brisk trade,[565] but Ogden, in 1821, says that it was rapidly declining.[566]
Wheeling derived much advantage from her location, being situated at a point where the Ohio was navigable at all seasons. It was the principal depot for the supply and commerce of that part of Virginia in 1819,[567] and in 1823 enjoyed considerable importance on account of the great quantity of merchandise brought to and from the Ohio along the National Road.[568] Boat building was carried on to some extent in Wheeling. By 1829 this town had engaged quite extensively in manufactures.[569]
Steubenville, Ohio, was the market for the produce of the surrounding country, which it supplied with English and West India goods.[570] As early as 1815 this town began to establish manufactories,[571] and in 1825 was exporting many thousand dollars worth of cloth to the Atlantic States.[572] In 1817 the city contained 2032 inhabitants,[573] and in 1830, 3153.[574]
Maysville, Kentucky, was the principal river port for the northeastern part of the State.[575] The greater part of the goods from Philadelphia and the eastern cities were landed here, and distributed over the state.[576]
Vincennes, Indiana, served as a place of extensive supply of merchandise to the interior of that state.[577] Vevay, Indiana, was also quite a commercial town.[578] Zanesville, Ohio, became a thriving town, engaged in manufactures[579] and trade.[580]
Shawneetown, Illinois, enjoyed a share in the trade on the river.[581]