Downtown Cincinnati

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Located across the street from City Hall, Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral is architecturally one of the more unique Catholic churches in the country. Built in 1845, its Greek Revival design, particularly in the interior, is quite striking compared to other churches built in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries which were typically designed in the Gothic or Romanesque styles. The exterior features large Corinthian columnns at the entrance and a tall, 224 ft. high spire. Large bronze doors also highlight the entrance. Inside, Corinthian columnns line each side of the church. On the rear wall, behind the altar, is the largest Venetian glass mosaic in the country (35 ft. high and 40 ft. wide). It depicts a young Jesus Christ sitting on a throne. The church also possesses some unique and priceless items. One of these is a processional cross with a gold corpus created by Italian artist Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571) that was originally located in a private chapel in Florence, Italy. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

2. Plum Street Temple

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975, the Plum Street Temple is one of the most unique and beautiful buildings in Cincinnati. It was built in 1866 as the third temple for the K.K. B'nai Yeshurun congregation, which formed in 1840 and is now called the Isaac M. Wise Temple. The congregation has two locations, the temple building and the Isaac M. Wise Center, which is located at 8329 Ridge Road.

3. William Henry Harrison Statue

This statue commemorates the ninth President of the United States, William Henry Harrison (1773-1841). Born in Virginia, he died from pneumonia a mere thirty-one days into his term. With his untimely demise, Harrison became the first U.S. president to die in office. He remains the shortest-serving president in American history. Prior to becoming president, Harrison served as an officer in the U.S. Army and represented his adopted state of Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Nearly fifty years after his death, a group of Cincinnati residents formed a commission with the intent of erecting a statue of Harrison in the city. The group initiated a design contest in 1886 and solicited submissions from artists. That same year, the Ohio General Assembly contributed $25,000 to the project. In 1887, the commission selected the proposal submitted by Louis Rebisso, an Italian-born sculptor who later settled in the city and taught at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Dedicated in Piatt Park on May 30, 1896, the bronze equestrian statue depicts Harrison in full military garb, sitting upright on his horse. Scanning the horizon, he holds the reigns in his left hand, while his right holds his unsheathed sword at his side. The only equestrian statue in Cincinnati, it rests on a massive pedestal of Barre granite. Originally installed at the end of the park near Vine Street, the sculpture and its pedestal were moved to the park’s Elm Street end during renovations in 1988.

4. James A. Garfield Statue

Unveiled on December 1, 1887, this monument commemorates the twentieth President of the United States, James A. Garfield (1831-1881). A native of Ohio and U.S. Army general during the Civil War, he served for nine terms in the U.S House of Representatives as a Republican before being elected president in 1881. Less than four months after his inauguration, on July 2, 1881, Garfield was shot twice by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled officer seeker, while waiting at a train station in Washington, D.C. For several weeks, he languished in pain as doctors unsuccessfully searched for one of the projectiles. Riddled with infection from the countless unsterile examinations, he passed away on September 19. In the wake of Garfield’s death, the City of Cincinnati moved to erect a statue of him in the city, and in 1883 commissioned Cincinnati-born sculptor Charles Henry Niehaus to design it. Paid for by public subscriptions, the bronze statue depicts Garfield standing, dressed in a suit and overcoat. Holding a stack of papers in his right hand and gesturing with his left, he looks out onto the horizon as if about to deliver a speech. Originally, the sculpture rested on a tall pedestal in the middle of the intersection of Eighth and Race Streets. After nearly three decades of frustrating motorist and buggy drivers, the statue was moved inside Eighth Street Park (now Piatt Park), a short distance from the intersection, and placed on a new, shorter pedestal. In 1988, when the park underwent renovations, the statue was moved to its current location at the park’s Vine Street end.

5. Historical Marker: Elizabeth Blackwell

This marker commemorates the pioneering life and work of physician Elizabeth Blackwell. Born in 1821 in Bristol, England, Elizabeth was the first woman in American history to earn a fully accredited medical degree. She achieved this milestone in 1849 from Geneva Medical College in New York City. She also advocated for the education of women in medicine as well as other causes such as abolition. Her sister Emily was the third woman in the country to receive a medical degree. Along with her sister and another female doctor, Elizabeth opened a hospital called the Infirmary for Women and Children in 1857. Eventually, she established a medical college for women there in 1867. She died in Sussex, England in 1910.

6. Cincinnati Riots of 1836

As Blacks escaped slavery in the Southern States, they fled to the North, to cities like Cincinnati where they ended up competing with whites for jobs. Tensions between pro-slavery whites and abolitionist whites provoked riots to break out in the months of April and July. Pro-slavery whites attacked both Blacks and whites who were giving support to the former slaves.

7. St. Francis Xavier Church

Built in 1861, St. Francis Xavier Church is an excellent example of Gothic architecture. It is administered by the Society of Jesuits (whose priests are referred to as Jesuits). A 1987 renovation transformed the interior of the church from a dull beige color to a lively blue and white color combination. The interior also features a large mural painted by Cincinnati artist Charles C. Svendsen, the windows contain colorful stained glass depicting various religious motifs and figures such as the church's namesake St. Francis Xavier, and various marble statues. The congregation consists of Catholics who come from 105 zip codes including northern Kentucky. The parish provides many social and community service activities for congregants. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

8. Historical Marker: Stephen C. Foster

This marker commemorates the brief and tragin life of Stephen C. Foster (1826-1864) who became America's first professional songwriter. Some even consider Foster as the "father of American music" owing to his creation of uniquely American melodies such as "Camptown Races" and "My Old Kentucky Home." Although many of his songs featured nostalgia for the American South, Foster was a northerner who only crossed the Mason-Dixon Line one time in his thirty-eight years of life. He lived in a house at this location between 1846-1850. His songs were inspired by the work of Dan Rice, a white performer who rose to fame by painting his face Black and performing bufoonish rituals meant to unite his white audience and reinforce their belief that they were superior to African Americans. Many of Foster's lyrics reflected the orientation of Rice's performances. And while American audiences continue to sing Foster's songs, it is important to note that some of the lyrics have been altered to remove their explicitly racist message.

9. Historical Marker: Salmon Portland Chase

This marker honors the life and legacy of Salmon Portland Chase (1808-1873), who most notably served as the Secretary of the Treasury under Abraham Lincoln and was the 6th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1864-1873). He was born in New Hampshire in 1808. He attended Cincinnati College from 1822-1823 and eventually graduated from Dartmouth College (in New Hampshire) in 1826. He was admitted into the bar and set up a practice back in Cincinnati. He became known for his staunch abolitionist beliefs and defended runaway slaves and those who harbored them. Chase's political career began as a city councilman in 1840, and would become a Senator (1849-1855) and after that the first Republican governor (1856-1860) of Ohio. As Treasury Secretary, Chase established the nation's first national bank, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (now the IRS), and introduced the first paper currency. He vied for the nomination to be Republican candidate for president but lost to Lincoln. Chase also helped organize what was called the Free Soil Party, which advocated for abolition of slavery; it was gradually incorporated into the Republican Party. Chase died of a stroke in 1873

10. Riverfront Stadium (Cinergy Field) 1970-2002

Completed in 1970, Riverfront Stadium served as the home of the Cincinnati Reds from 1970 until the opening of Great American Ball Park in 2002. With the proliferation of automobile use in conjunction with shifting demographics and a rising crime rate surrounding the site of the Reds former home Crosley Field, the Reds' ownership made the decision to design a new ballpark and close the existing stadium. Team owner Bill Dewitt entertained an offer to move the team to San Diego in the 1960s, a move that prompted local investors to make a bid for the team. The Reds were the first professional team in baseball history, so the effort to ensure that the Reds stayed in Cincinnati received public support. These investors made sure to utilize this support to help secure funding for the construction of a new stadium. Riverfront Stadium was built between 1968 and 1970 and opened with a seating capacity of 52,952 and a parking garage that held 2,500 cars.

11. Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum

The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum was first established in 1958 by the MLB franchise, The Cincinnati Reds. The Reds Hall of Fame is the largest team hall of fame in all of baseball and is a place where Reds baseball comes alive each day. It was started as a way to commemorate the players, management, and moments in Red's history. Plan your visit today and enjoy family fun for all ages, including ball park tours which are available during certain seasons.

12. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Opened in 2004, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center was created as a response to the 2001 race riots that shook the city of Cincinnati and showed the persistence of racism in American life. A museum funded largely by corporate donations and designed to promote racial reconciliation, the museum emphasizes (and perhaps over-emphasizes) the interracial cooperation of white and Black abolitionists that was both rare and crucial to the eventual end of slavery. Although the majority of abolitionists and "conductors" of the Underground Railroad were Black, the focus of many of the museum's displays focuses on the more familiar histories of white abolitionists. The Freedom Center is certainly one of the finest museums of African American history in the country, with outstanding displays about the creation of slavery and the efforts of white and Black Americans who took an unpopular stand against it. Visitors are simply encouraged to consider the displays within the historic context that led to the founding of the museum.

13. Historical Marker: The Burnet House

Between 1850 and 1926 where this office building now stands was once one of the world's finest hotels: The Burnet House. Several prominent figures of the 19th century stayed at the hotel including Abraham Lincoln (on two occasions, once in 1859 when he was campaigning for the Ohio Republican Party, and the other in 1861 when he was on his way to inauguration as President), Henry Clay, James Buchanan, and Horace Greeley, the founder of the New York Times. In 1862 after the Civil War battle at Shiloh, the hotel served as a hospital for wounded troops. The hotel is also notable for the meeting on March 20, 1864 between Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Tecumseh Sherman who discussed their military campaign strategies against the Confederacy in what would be the last year of the war. The hotel closed in July 1926 was demolished soon after.

14. The Netherland Plaza Hotel

The Netherland Plaza Hotel was built between 1929 and 1931 and quickly became the center of Cincinnati's social scene with its French Art Deco architecture and an interior filled with frescoes and murals. The hotel is also part of the Carew Tower Shopping Arcade and Office Tower complex which includes dozens of retail stores and restaurants in addition to office space. The Netherland Plaza became a National Landmark in 1985 and is also a member of Historic Hotels of America.

15. The Cincinnati Race Riot of 1841

The beginning of September of 1841 in Cincinnati, Ohio brought race riots that lasted for days. An altercation that happened in a candy store eventually led to a mob of 1,500 white men descending on Cincinnati’s Black population of just over 2,000 citizens. The Black men of the community fought back though, and upon seeing their resistance, the white men began firing iron shrapnel from a cannon into the homes and business of Black citizens. Instead of arresting the white rioters, the police instead arrested every Black man in the city. After all of the Black men were in custody, the white mob attacked again, only this time they were attacking businesses and homes that were occupied only by unarmed women and children. The mob destroyed an abolitionist press, the Philanthropist, and threw it in the Ohio River. This time, with the help of militia, around 40 white men were arrested.

16. Tyler Davidson Fountain-Genius of Water Fountain Square Cincinnati

The Genius of Water was a tribute to the importance of water in the development of the city of Cincinnati commissioned by Henry Probasco as a tribute to his brother-in-law and business partner Tyler Davidson. The men became wealthy from their Cincinnati-based hardware stores and were grateful to the city of Cincinnati. The Ohio River played a significant part in developing the country and the commerce of the country. The fountain is a tribute to the Ohio River and the significance or importance of water. The fountain was dedicated in October of 1871 and features drinking fountains at the base. The fountain is inscribed with the words "To the People of Cincinnati" and is one of the most beautiful fountains in the world. The fountain is a symbol of Cincinnati and is nicknamed "The Lady." A miniature replica fountain is on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum

17. Historical Marker: Kennedy Speech

This historical marker indicates the location of the platform (right on the sidewalk) on which President John F. Kennedy gave a speech on October 5, 1962. In the speech he urges Ohioans to elect Democratic representatives to help further progressive goals in health care, housing, education, and employment. Kennedy did not speak long, for only about 9 and a half minutes. A link to a recording of the speech can be found below.

18. Potter Stewart United States Courthouse

Named after Cincinnati native and Supreme Court Justice, the Potter Stewart United States Courthouse was built in 1938 and is a fine example of Art Deco and Art Moderne architecture. It houses the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The interior features include the two-story main lobby, the original elevator lobby with decorative aluminum elevator doors, and the original wood paneling in the courtroom. The rest of the space—440,000 square feet—is available for rent. Potter Stewart (1915-1985) was actually born in Michigan while his family was on vacation. He served as a Supreme Court Justice from 1958-1981. The building is situated next to Fountain Square, a small public park where several presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, had visited. The courthouse was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

19. Contemporary Arts Center

Officially called the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, the center opened in 2003. Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, the New York Times declared it to be the "the best new building since the Cold War.” It features 16,000 square feet of exhibition space, another exhibition, and educational space called the "UnMuseum.” It also offers musical concerts, theatrical performances, artist talks, workshops, and school programs.

20. Old Main Public Library, 1874-1955

Prior to the construction of the city library at 8th and Vine, this was the location of the main public library. The Old Main Public Library served the community from 1874 to the early 1950s and the building was demolished in 1955.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Downtown Cincinnati

Created by Clio Admin on April 23rd 2017, 8:01:48 pm.

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Description

This walking tour includes historic buildings, churches, markers, monuments, and museums, as well as significant historic events that occurred in downtown Cincinnati. From historical markers to diverse Cincy residents from Stephen Foster to Elizabeth Blackwell, along with sites related to the early history of the city, slavery and abolition, the Civil War, and historic businesses, this tour winds through the downtown area and concludes at the Freedom Center. Enjoy!

Entries on This Tour

Downtown Cincinnati

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