As yet, however, the improvements were confined to but a small portion of the present city. Iowa (First) avenue had been used as a sand bank, at the convenience of builders, and being left in ridges and hollows was impassable to teams. Lot owners on Eagle street (Second avenue) were urged to cut out the underbrush in the street so that wagons might pass, and thus that section of the city become attractive for residences.
From Wolfe's Business Directory for 1869 we may note a few of the business houses and professional men.
Agricultural Implements—Averill & Hamilton, A. C. Churchill, Fleck & Dorwart, Higley Bros., Patterson & Co., F. J. Upton.
Ammunition—J. A. Nye.
Architect—S. S. Spaulding.
Attorneys—Boyd & Smith, J. J. Child, Craft & Sosel, A. V. Eastman, R. H. Gilmore, H. H. Gray, Hubbard & Belt, J. W. Leslie, M. P. Mills, A. St. C. Smith, O. O. Stanchfield, I. N. Whittam.
Baker—P. Seitz.
Banks—City National, First National.
Bankers—Carpenter, Stibbs & Co.
Barbers—Brown & Bolin, W. K. Harris, Lightenberg & Reiss.