First & Second Streets
The city’s early pottery story unfolded close to the water. Parts of that street pattern have disappeared, making an old illustration a useful guide to a landscape that cannot simply be walked today.
A riverfront in the archive
Carnegie Public Library’s pottery history describes land once occupied by riverfront works being taken by the Ohio River’s bend, including First Street and a substantial part of Second Street. Its account connects the missing streets with the location of early industry. It does not provide a single date or detailed engineering history for every lost parcel.
Look beyond the surviving blocks
The 1875 bird’s-eye illustration offers a way to examine buildings, routes and the edge of the river together. Compare the density of the older waterfront with present-day views, while remembering that an illustration is not a measured modern map. The story of these streets adds depth to a riverfront visit: the open view also holds the memory of workplaces and connections that are no longer there.
Story sources
Published story & visitor information ↗
Published story & visitor information ↗
Story reviewed 2026-10-04. Confirm current access directly.