Higginsport

Higginsport is a village located in the southeastern part of the township, on the Ohio River near White Oak Creek. In 1880 the population was only 862 but it would soon become a thriving town. In September of 1804, Col. Robert Higgins founded White Haven, but when the population did not grow, the town was vacated with only three families in the territory. February 28, 1816 it was re-founded by Col. Robert Higgins and renamed Higginsport.

The original streets were: Water, Washington, Columbia, Gains, White Oak, Brown, Main, Jackson, and John. A public square was given to the town by Col. Higgins in the following clause: "The public square for the purpose of building thereon a market house; a house of public worship, free for any worshipping society professing Christianity, and such other public buildings as may be necessary for the use of said town or county to which it does or may belong." Land was also donated by Higgins, Bently and Overturf to increase the size of the town.

Around 1819, Stephan Colvin and family settled in Higginsport and were surprised to find six cabins occupied by Higgins, John Cochran, James Cochran, Mr. Arbuckle and James Norris (a colored man). Colvin, an accomplished speaker decided to fill the position of auctioneer at the local auction house. The town gradually improved, and in 1828 a little store was opened by Sam Pell. Soon other stored were opened by Nathan Kite, Benjamin Thresher, and Jesse Dugan. Dugan built the first brick house, which is still standing, at the corner of Water and Brown Streets. In 1830, Mr. Roberts, a tailor, kept up the first Post Office. By now there were five general stores, one clothing store, two drug stores, two tin shops, one hardware store, four millinery and fancy stores, one tobacco store and several groceries.

The town continued to grow as Isaac Pierce and Samuel Yearsley became the town's early blacksmiths, and as Vandyke and Maxwell practiced wagon-making. Amos Ellis started to keep a tavern in 1836, and there are now two good hotels in Higginsport-- the Pierce House and the Central. By now, there are five physicians, one minister, several teachers, and thirty tobacco buyers. Recently added were a grist-mill, distillery, seventeen tobacco warehouses. The town is so successful that two million pounds of tobacco are shipped annually.