Elmira in the 1860s | chemungcocivilwar

City at the Crossroads: Elmira in the 1860s

Despite its potential for growth, Elmira had stalled during the 1850s. Even though it was a transportation center with both railroads and canals, Elmira in 1860 was only home to a handful of industries including a woolen mill, iron foundry and pipe manufacturer. After being chosen as a military rendezvous, though, the town grew in leaps and bounds. The population nearly doubled to over 12,000 and new businesses formed while older ones grew. Pre-war Elmira had little crime and no police force. The war brought petty crime, prostitution, public drunkenness and the city’s first murder. The war literally transformed Elmira from a small town into a booming city, bringing new wealth which lasted well into the next century.

Lake Street, c. 1860 Elmira’s downtown area was bustling and prosperous, but farm animals frequently roamed the dirt roads.	City of Elmira, 1868 In 1860, Elmira’s population was 7,000. Just five years later it had nearly doubled in size.
Elmira city seal Elmira officially incorporated as a city on April 7, 1864.	50 cent note The war caused a shortage of coins in Elmira. In 1862, the Chemung Canal Bank issued five, ten, twenty-five and fifty cent paper currency for use within Chemung County.

On the Homefront

City at the Crossroads: Elmira in the 1860s

Lake Street, c. 1860

Elmira’s downtown area was bustling and prosperous, but farm animals frequently roamed the dirt roads.

City of Elmira, 1868

In 1860, Elmira’s population was 7,000. Just five years later it had nearly doubled in size.

Elmira city seal

Elmira officially incorporated as a city on April 7, 1864.

50 cent note

The war caused a shortage of coins in Elmira. In 1862, the Chemung Canal Bank issued five, ten, twenty-five and fifty cent paper currency for use within Chemung County.