1875: Earth moving from Maple Avenue

Have you ever wondered about the topography of Broadway? I had always heard that the hill near Maple Avenue had been removed in early years in order to give Broadway a better grade. The evidence remains: an old stone wall just to the west of the old Viorel house in the 1100 block of Broadway.

Here's a clipping that explains what happened to that dirt:

Sept. 28, 1875

Hannibal Clipper

The earth for the fill on the west side of the M., K & T railway track, between Broadway and Church street, is being hauled by wagon from the corner of Broadway and Maple avenue, a distance of twelve blocks, and all at the expense of the Empire mills company.