The site chosen for the town was a point on the west bank of the Wabash opposite the mouth of the White River, and twenty-four miles southwest of Vincennes. This point was selected because of the available water power and of the likelihood that main roads from east to west would pass here. The town became a railroad and manufacturing center and justified the wisdom of its founders. An elaborate circular, called the “Articles of Association, for the City of Mount Carmel,” was issued at Chillicothe in 1817. The purpose of the association was announced to be “to build a city on liberal and advantageous principles, and to constitute funds for the establishment of seminaries of learning and for religious purposes.” The proprietors reserved for themselves one-fourth of the lots, these being called “proprietors’ lots;” one-fourth were called “public donation lots;” and one-half were called “private donation lots.” The plan of survey and sale was described as follows: “The front street is 132 feet wide; the others 99. The in-lots are six poles in front, and eleven and a half back; containing each sixty-eight perches, nearly half an acre. The most of the out-lots contain four acres and eight square poles; some of them more, (five and six acres on the back range); and a few of them less. There are 748 in-lots, and 331 out-lots—1079 in the whole. “The lots are offered at private sale, at the following prices: In-Lots On Front Street. Corners, $150 each Not corners, 100 The Rest Of The In-Lots. Corners, $120 each Not corners, 80 The out-lots, $100 each “The payments are to be made in four annual instalments; the first at the time of sale. “A bank is to be constituted by the sale of the lots. “One-fourth of the lots are appropriated to the use of schools and religious purposes. “One-half of the lots are to be given away to those who will improve them according to the articles of association. A person may have as many gift, or private donation out-lots, as he has such in-lots; the out-lots not required to be improved. The gift lots are to be disposed of on the following terms: the persons receiving them pay the prices above stated, and receive for the money thus paid, stock in the aforesaid bank. They are to improve the in-lots thus given to them, by building one dwelling-house for every such in-lot; one-half of the houses to be built within five years, and the other half within ten years, from the sale of said lots. The houses to be framed, brick, or stone, and to contain two rooms, and two fire-places each.”