#4
Sights of Cincinnati
A History Through Pictures
Cincinnati has a special place in my heart and will forever. It is where my ancestors on my Grandmother’s side, decided to come to when they arrived in America. Coming in 1902 and 1910, they decided to join the bustling streets of Cincinnati which was filled with a multitude of German-Americans. Some had arrived as early as 1800, to my ancestors coming in the early 1900s. Nonetheless, as I am here today, and seeing that my ancestors stayed in Cincinnati for many many years (my grandmother grew up there), I can only assume that Cincinnati was an incredible place for them to settle and they must have enjoyed in thoroughly. Cincinnati has a rich history whether you’re looking at just the Germans in the city, or looking at Cincinnati as a whole. It is for sure that the German immigrants that came to America and settled in Cincinnati played a large role in the development of the city and even created their own neighborhood in the Over-the-Rhine district. Germans helped to create the city, and they also had to bear the brunt of the fact their original country, Germany, fought against the current country they were in, in the United States of America, two times, in both World War 1. Through pictures, explored will be the rise of Cincinnati and the impact that the Germans had on the city.
Cincinnati was founded in late December, 1788, by Mathias Denman, Colonel Robert Patterson and Israel Ludlow.
The original surveyor of the site, John Filson, name it “Losantiville”, before his death in October 1788. It meant “The city opposite the mouth of the (Licking) River”. But in 1790, Arthur St. Clair, the governor of the Northwest Territory in Cincinnati, changed the name to Cincinnati to honor the Society of Cincinnati, which he was president.
The beginning, Cincinnati in the 1800s before it looked remotely close to a bustling American city. This is where the start of Cincinnati is, before real pictures could even be taken.
Cincinnati 1812, with just a population of 2000.
Drawing of Cincinnati in 1830, more buildings scene as the city slowly starts to grow and grow.
1837, the office of William Procter and James Gamble, who founded the company Procter and Gamble, which still thrives to this day.
Cincinnati 1841.
Opened for traffic in 1867, this suspension bridge across the Ohio River serves as the major landmark for Cincinnati and especially German immigrants coming to Cincinnati, as it was built by German immigrant Johann August Roebling and served as the model for the Brooklyn Bridge.
Drawing of 1875 Saloon in the Over-the-Rhine district of Cincinnati, predominately German immigrants.
Brewery in Cincinnati, when German Immigrants came to America, they brought their love of beer, and built many breweries throughout the streets of Cincinnati. Although, when prohibition hit, many breweries went out of business, a few that sold alternate items made it through but it was rare.
Another Over-the-Rhine brewery. The mid 1800s is when Cincinnati would acquire the name “beeropolis”.
Breweries in Cincinnati in the 1800s when many Germans were making their living off of beer. Beer was one of the best things the German’s brough to this country.
Over-the-Rhine brewery drawing.
Current Ohio historical marker describing the brewery situation. As it says, 18 of the 36 breweries at the peak were in the Over-the-Rhine section, which is predominately German Immigrants.
Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in the late 1800s. The mid to late 1800s is when the amount of German immigrants in Cincinnati peaked, the Over-the-Rhine district was bustling at this point. Water is the Miami-Erie canal.
German-Americans at a bar in Cincinnati, sharing their love of beer.
Cincinnati, 1900. My first ancestors would arrive here in 1902.
1900 Cincinnati. Can faintly see brewing co. label on building, in 19 years that company will have to avoid may obstacles (prohibiton).
1900 Cincinnati, the beginning of when my ancestors were making their way over.
Cincinnati in 1913, with the first street cars, must have been an exciting time for my ancestors to be walking the streets and seeing cars for the first time.
Cincinnati, 1915.
Downtown Cincinnati 1915, the war is beginning soon.
1917, United States enters World War 1 against Germany, this would pose a problem for Germans in the states, especially for those in Cincinnati.
Anti-German political cartoon, World War 1.
Current Ohio Historical marker showing the problems faced for Germans during World War 1.
1930 Cincinnati, getting to the start of another World War.
Cincinnati street cars in 1930s.
Drawing of Cincinnati, 1940.
US enters World War 2, of course there was still much anti-German sentiment in the states. But after the first world war and many German activites and items being taken away, many German-Americans had assimilated extremely well which led to much less of a problem for Cincinatti. My grandmother was born in 1941, she entered just as the war was picking up.
Cincinnati, 1950.
1960 Cincinatti. This is the length my grandmother would stay in Cincinnati until enlisting in the Navy and joing the naval hospital. From 1900 when my ancestors first arrive to 1960 when my grandmother would ultimately leave, you can see a great deal of change in the city. From a host of German inspired breweries before the first world war to the recovery after, it does not change the fact that the spirit of Germany will always be in the city of Cincinnati, as well as in my ancestors blood, and my blood as well. For me to be here learning about this day, Germany and Cincinatti must have been really good to my family and I am very thankful, I am proud to call my grandmother my grandmother and I can only assume if she is as incredible as she is, I can be proud to call the rest of my family the people who got me to where I am today.
The house my wonderful Grandma grew up in, Cincinnati, circa 1941–1960.
Cincinnati, 1970. An incredible amount of bridges.
A crowded Cincinnati street, 1970.
Cincinnati on the Riverfront, 1980.
Riverfront Stadium, 1990
Cincinnati Skyline, present day.
Cincinnati Skyline at night, present day.
Thank you for viewing my creative project. I believe the evolution of cities is an extremely unique progression to look at. Because cities nowadays are ginormous with large looming buildings and lots of lights, but the reality of the fact is that is not how they started. Each city started small but gradually progressed into becoming a main part of the United States of America. It is incredible to see the cities evolve and gain new features that makes them more and more special. Such as gaining electricity or seeing cars. I cannot even imagine what it would feel like as a person who’s only experienced a horse and buggy, and now there is a motorized ‘thing’ on the streets that goes faster and looks cooler. It must have been astonishing. Even looking at the progression of sports stadiums and seeing them go from simple structures to incredible massive figures helps to show the upward trend the architecture is on. Even if you pick a simple 20 year period, there is always new and cool things that are implemented. Seeing something evolve is extremely special, and I hope these pictures allowed for an appreciation of the expansion of Cincinnati, a beautiful city.
