The Road to March(itecture) Madness

Friday, February 29th

As we get closer to the announcement of the tournament bracket tomorrow, we are following a few storylines and how they are impacting the selection committee.

On the Bubble

A few buildings are eagerly waiting tomorrow's announcement. They have done everything they can, but will it be enough? One of the last buildings the committee is said to be considering is the Germania Building.

The Germania Building
Stats:
Location: 12th & Walnut Streets, Over the Rhine
Completed: 1877
Architect: Johann Bast
Style: Renaissance Revival
Located in the Over the Rhine National Historic District

One of the most decorated buildings in the entire city.

Will they make it in the tournament? Will they get enough votes to possibly sneak in through our "play-in game"? We shall see beginning TOMORROW!

Final Countdown: Bockfest

Prohibition Resistance Tour

Saturday March 8 and Sunday March 9

Join the Brewery District CURC as we explore Cincinnati's rich brewing heritage, both above and below ground during Bockfest.

We will start our tour at the Museum Center, where your tour admission will include admission to the Cincinnati History Museum's special exhibit on Cincinnati's brewing history. We'll hear from Christian Moerlein Brewing Company's CEO Greg Hardman, as he tells us the amazing story of how Christian Moerlein left his native Germany and started one of the biggest breweries in the country, a story that mirrors the history of Cincinnati. The bus tour will include many of the remaining brewery buildings in Cincinnati, including the John Hauck Dayton Street Brewery, the Clyffside Brewery, the Jackson Brewery, and the Christian Moerlein Brewery. We will explore the life of another of Cincinnati's great brewers at the John Hauck House Museum, where this restored mansion on Cincinnati's original "Millionaire's Row" contains original antiques, furnishings and brewing memorabilia. Our final stop is at another of Cincinnati's great breweries, the Kauffmann Brewery. Here we will journey to the sub-basements and tunnels of the brewery, spaces unused since Prohibition.

Tickets and additional details are available here.

Weekend Warm-Up: February 29 – March 2

My recommendations for something to do this weekend.

Another busy weekend.

First off, The Bockfest Sausage Queen Competition continues. As I mentioned before, we have preliminary rounds at Buddakhan’s on February 29th and at Milton’s on March 1st, both at 10:00 pm. It will be hard to beat Ms. Gypsy Russell.

Also as I have mentioned, the Art of Food Opening Reception is tonight at the Carnegie. On the Ohio side of the river it is again Final Fridays in Over the Rhine. I’d like to note that the Cincinnati Form Follows Function exhibit moves to Park + Vine beginning with Final Friday and a reception tomorrow from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. It is a look back at some of the city’s 20th century architectural treasures.

"From its world-class Art Deco Union Terminal train station to the many mid-century homes tucked into its seven hillsides, Cincinnati is blessed with a rich tradition of modern architectural design. The CF3 curated exhibit included both images and artifacts. The organization's efforts to document and preserve have included homes designed by such international stars as Frank Lloyd Wright and George Nelson as well as dwellings by homegrown favorites Abe Dombar, Woodie Garber, Ray Roush and Carl Strauss."

In my opinion preservation and adaptive reuse is about as green as it gets, so it makes sense for the exhibit to find a home at Park + Vine for a couple of months.

Finally, the musical "Little Women" opens at CCM tonight. Their big spring musical runs through March 9. I would like to make a confession: I love the Winona Ryder movie version. But I am not sold on it as a musical. However, I am intrigued and I hear it is pretty good and the sets are nice. So check CCM’s website for details. I might try and see if I can squeeze in a matinee.

The Road to March(itecture) Madness

Wednesday, February 27th

As we get closer to the announcement of the tournament bracket on March 1, we are following a few storylines and how they are impacting the selection committee.

Schools

This city has a number of historic schools, some on the National Register and some not. But the final bracket of 32 is probably is going to leave a number of potentially worthy candidates out of the post-season. All are currently jockeying for position and trying to stand out for the selection committee.

For instance we two former schools that are a bit smaller in scale that think they deserve some props:

Mt. Adams Public School
Stats:
Location: 1125 St. Gregory Street
Completed: 1895
Architect: Henry Siter
Style: Romanesque Revival
Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places

One of only a few former or current Cincinnati Public Schools listed on the National Register.

Guilford School
Stats:
Location: 421 East Fourth Street
Completed: 1914
Architect: Garber & Woodward
Style: Italian Renaissance Revival

A stylish former Cincinnati Public Schools but on an personal scale.
Will they make it in the tournament? Will they get enough votes to possibly sneak in through our "play-in game"? We shall see . . .

Bengal Beat

My Season Tickets

I have neglected to mention a milestone. I sold my Paul Brown Stadium Seat Licenses and I am no longer a Bengal Season Ticket holder. I moved to Cincinnati in Spring 2003. It was the beginning of Marvin Lewis’s first season as head coach. I could look out my apartment window and see the stadium. As my interest in the team grew (Originally from the area I was never a big Bengal’s fan) I went to the final six home games that year, including the win over a previously undefeated Kansas City team. After the end of the 2003 season I decided to take the plunge and get season tickets. This ended my fourth year. I know some people have been season ticket holders since Riverfront, but I still wanted to note the occasion somehow.

Now I’d like to say issues of principal influenced my decision to sell. Like the fact that they raised prices after a losing season or that they continue to be roadblocks to the Banks. But I can’t. Not really. It sounds good and I might feel like I am making a stand against the evil Brown Empire but in the end my reason was mostly financial. I just can’t justify the cost. There is just other stuff I’ve decided I’d rather do with my money. I might try and get tickets to a game or something on StubHub but buying and seeing ten home games (including the required two pre-season games) just isn’t a priority anymore. I’m sure they won’t miss me.

The Road to March(itecture) Madness

Tuesday, February 26th

As we get closer to the announcement of the tournament bracket on March 1, we are following a few storylines and how they are impacting the selection committee.

Churches

This city really does have some fantastic churches of all denominations. But the final bracket of 32 is probably is going to leave a number of potentially worthy candidates out of the post-season. All are currently jockeying for position and trying to stand out for the selection committee.

For instance we have three Gothic Revival churches that think they deserve consideration:

Church of the Immaculate Conception
Stats:
Location: 30 Guido Street
Completed: 1860
Architect: Louis Picket
Style: Gothic Revival
Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places

One of the oldest Catholic Churches still in use in Cincinnati and a landmark since it was constructed.
St. Francis DeSales Church
Stats:
Location: 1600 Madison Road
Completed: 1879
Architect: Francis George Himpler
Style: Gothic Revival
Individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places along with School and Rectory

Considered one of the tallest and finest Gothic Revival churches in Cincinnati, it also houses the largest church bell in the United States and the largest swinging bell ever cast in this country.
Clifton United Methodist Church
Stats:
Location: 3416 Clifton Avenue
Completed: 1892
Architect: Crapsey & Brown
Style: Gothic Revival with Romanesque Revival
Nominated for the National Register of Historic Places and near the Clifton Avenue National Historic District.

Ok, not as an impressive resume as some but I just like it!
Will they make it in the tournament? Will they get enough votes to possibly sneak in through our "play-in game"? We shall see . . .

Winter Festival?

I have long thought that Cincinnati should have a winter festival of sorts - a weekend-long event to lure visitors to town in the months between those two powerhouses of Oktoberfest and Taste of Cincinnati. It doesn’t even need to be of that scale (and probably couldn’t be) but I think this town loves a good street festival and with a little thought and marketing, our winter festival weekend could be a regional draw.

I have a couple of thoughts or options to consider. Most of my ideas are tied to our German heritage and/or expand on pre-existing festivities . . .

Christkindlmarkt
This is a traditional German pre-Christmas festival where people gather to enjoy the Christmas holiday. Typically held in the town square over the many weeks of advent, this market-fest combines food and drink in the open air, shopping and pageantry, as well as tradition. Cincinnati already is doing a lot during the holidays and I see a way to enhance the activities of the tree lighting and ice skating for example by expanding our holiday festivities with the addition of a holiday market and branding it all as Cincinnati’s Christkindlmarkt. One weekend in early to mid December we should close 5th Street between Race & Walnut and hold a weekend long festival with food, drink, and holiday goods. Heated tents could be erected for selling beer, hot chocolate, wassil and gluehwein. It will be like Oktoberfest but in December.

Photo from Chicago, Illinois's Christkindlmarkt

Karneval
Karneval or Fasching is Germany’s answer to Carnival and Mardi Gras. Held the weekend before Lent and ending on Ash Wednesday, traditionally Fasching is a "time for revelry, humor, and satire". Parades are had and clubs organize costumed balls. In some cities, crowds playfully overtake city hall and steal the key to the city. Cincinnati Karneval could be similar with a parade ending at Fountain Square and a weekend long festival held with plenty of beer, bands, and food. Throw in some fireworks too!

Photo from Düsseldorf, Germany's Carnival

Schnee Festival
The Cincinnati version of an ice festival, "schnee" is the German word for snow. I am picturing free ice skating on the square, heated tents for food, drink, and live music. Then add snow related activities (and tons of fake snow) and wildly imaginative snow sculptures along 5th Street from Race Street to Main Street. What about a man-made hill for some urban sledding? The festival could coincide with Cinciditarod, Contusion Bowl, and the closing of the ice rink and serve as the symbolic end of winter in the Queen City.

Photo from Edinburgh, Scotland's Winter Festival

The Road to March(itecture) Madness

Monday, February 25th

As we get closer to the announcement of the tournament bracket on March 1, we are following a few storylines and how they are impacting the selection committee.

Private Homes

This city really does have some fantastic buildings that are or were private residences. But the final bracket of 32 is probably is going to leave a number of potentially worthy candidates out of the post-season. All are currently jockeying for position and trying to stand out for the selection committee.

For instance, in East Walnut Hills we have two houses that think they deserve consideration:

The Fisher House - "The Swiss Chalet"
Stats:
Location: 2214 Upland Place
Completed: 1892
Architect: Lucian Plympton
Style: Exotic Revival - Swiss Chalet
Located in the Upland Local Historic District

"One of Cincinnati's most unusual and influential dwellings." - Great Houses of the Queen City
John S. Baker House - "Woodburn"
Stats:
Location: 1887 Madison Road
Completed: 1854
Architect: James Keys Wilson
Style: English Gothic Revival
Individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places and located in the East Walnut Hills Local Historic District

"The finest early Gothic Revival house in the Cincinnati area." - Great Houses of the Queen City
So will they make it in the tournament? Could they get enough votes to possibly sneak in through our "play-in game"? We shall see . . .

Final Countdown: Bockfest

Sausage Queen Competition

Well, everyone not at Shooters for the first preliminary round of the Bockfest Sausage Queen Competition missed out on a great time. Ms. Gypsy Russell beat out two other competitors to take the evening’s crown and the case of Hudy Delight. As promised, I bought a round of shots for a few people (and their friends) who introduced themselves to me. It was so nice meeting everyone. I hope everyone had fun as I know I did. I forgot a camera so hopefully all those with cameras send me a picture or two that I can post to the blog. And there were many with cameras!

CinWeekly was there taking pictures too. Here are two that are currently online:

The winner, Ms. Gypsy Russell, is third from left.

The next preliminary rounds are as follows:
Friday, February 29, at 10:00PM, held at Buddakhan’s Classic Rock Cafe, 713 Vine St., Cincinnati, Ohio
Saturday, March 1, at 10:00PM, held at Milton’s Prospect Hill Tavern, 301 Milton St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

The finals are Thursday, March 6, at 8:30 PM, at Arnold's Bar and Grill, 210 East 8th Street where each preliminary round winner will compete head-to-head-to-head and will be anointed Sausage Queen. Duties will include leading the Bockfest Parade on the following day, carrying the symbolic tray of Bockwurst sausage.

For all things Bockfest, including the Prohibition Resistance Tour, check out their website.

A Peek at Peace

Again while walking in Over the Rhine, we happened to see some people going in to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. The folks who were just renting the space were kind enough to let us take a peak as all of us in the Architreks group had never been inside.

This building at 1524 Elm Street traces its history to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church founded in 1849. The name of the congregation was eventually changed to Concordia Lutheran Church and in 1871 this Gothic Revival structure was built. In 1950, Concordia moved to Clifton and they are still there on Central Parkway. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church was eventually established by the Missouri Synod and located in this building. Concordia held services here in German until World War I and they still have German services once a month. Andrew Erkenbrecher, founder of the Cincinnati Zoo, was a member of the congregation.

I wasn't able to get too many good shots with the lighting but there were some very nice details inside.

Historic photo from Library's Cincinnati Memory Project.

Singing in the Rhine

While walking in Over the Rhine this Sunday afternoon, a couple of us came across this group of singers, praising Jesus, in an empty lot on Republic Street. Three weeks ago they were there with a small electric piano. But in the cold and snow today it was just spiritual songs done with simple accompaniment. There was no audience but they seemed to be doing it, just to do it. I am far from religious but you have to respect that.

The Queen's Country

I was walking around DeSales Corner this morning and happened upon Barack Obama's Cincinnati Headquarters at 1524 Madison Road.

This is not necessarily an endorsement; I just didn't know it was there. It was 9:30 am and the place was already hopping. I was going to take a picture of everyone working through the window but I thought they might think I was a spy for Hillary or something.

Blog Alert: Queen City Survey

I am in the process of a little housekeeping. I have added the following blogs to rolls on the right:
Cincinnati.com Blog: Foodie Report
Wine Me, Dine Me (In Cincinnati)
Cincinnati Locavore
Jackie Danicki
RRD Photo Blog
Gerard
Kelly to the max!
Chris Glass

Kelly and Chris to some degree are much more "Pop" than "Cincinnati" but I like what they have to say and I enjoy reading them. I thought about adding a few more blogs but if I am finding that they are not updated regularly, I am apt not to include it. I still check them out from time to time but find them off my "Must Read" list. My blog roll really seems to really help me click to other blogs I want to read. I don't know if you people even use them!

And I have also added the following websites to roll on the right:
Soapbox Media
Gateway Quarter

Now the big task however is a desire to add categories to all of my posts. I hope to begin this week but not sure when I'll be complete. I'll let you know. When complete I am looking at the following topics:
Architecture
Baedeker
Behind the Asphalt
Blog Alert
Events
Food & Drink
History
Miscellaneous
Opinion
Politics
Sports
Survey Says . . .
The Queen Speaks
The Queen’s Crown Jewels
The Queen’s Dictionary
The Tarnished Crown
Then & Now
Transportation

Survey Says . . .

Best (as judged by me) movies set or filmed in Cincinnati.

Top 6 answers on the board . . .

1. Airborne (1993)

So the final race sequence is illogical but you certainly get to see a lot of the City in the movie including a nice Krohn cameo.

2. Eight Men Out (1988)

3. Little Man Tate (1991)Here you get some UC, Miami, OSU and Jody Foster!

4. Fresh Horses (1988)

5. Traffic (2000)

6. Rain Man (1988)

Rain Man would probable not make the list as I do not like Dustin Hoffman or Tom Cruise but I guess it probably has to be included.

In honor of tonight's Oscars, the above are my favorite movies set or filmed in and around the Queen City. Can't say they are always the best films (like Fresh Horses in particular) but there is not a lot out there.

Movie posters from AllPosters.com, MoviePoster.com, and MLive.com

Torrence Road Station: Then & Now

Then:

Now:

The Torrance Road Station was a passenger station on the Little Miami Railroad, operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company from 1868. It is located at Torrence Road and now Riverside Drive, across from St. Rose. The church and Cincinnati Water Works are visible to the right in the first "Then" photograph. Passengers would enter the building on Torrence and then could walk up to the platform one floor above for eastbound trains and then across a footbridge over the tracks for westbound trains to downtown. The sculpture that says "Cincinnati" was under the bridge along the westbound platform and is still there although very worn. Apparently passenger service ended here and at Pennsylvania's main station at Pearl & Butler Streets downtown (completed in 1880) with the completion of Union Terminal in 1933. Passenger service on this entire portion of the Little Miami rail line ended in 1968. I do not have the date of construction of the structure nor when the building and structures were demolished and filled in. Maybe a railroad enthusiast can fill us in!

References:
Cincinnati Streetcars, Interurbans, and Railroads

History of the Little Miami Railroad

Historic photos from Library's Cincinnati Memory Project.

Program Preview Part III:

Union Terminal High Steel Tours

Sara Pearce has a nice blog post about the upcoming Union Terminal "High Steel Tours" that are part of the larger celebration of Union Terminal’s 75th Birthday. Her post includes photos above the dome and the views beyond! Now I do not think you will be able to take your camera, but it is a cool preview of what the tour will be like. Check out the Cincinnati Museum Center Heritage Program website for all of this year’s events.


Photo from Enquirer's Art blog. Check out the post for more photos.

Program Preview Part II:

The Carnegie – Art of Food

I snagged two tickets to the Carnegie’s Opening Reception for the Art of Food installation on February 29th. The exhibit includes a Celebration Table where each place setting, each depicting a different holiday theme, was created by a different artist. And Friday’s reception I think includes food from various local chefs including but not limited to those from Daveed’s, Nicola’s, Slims, and the Jean-Robert group.

Exhibition runs through March 28, 2008.

Image from The Carnegie's website.

Program Preview Part I:

May Festival

I have never been to May Festival before. But I am planning on making at least one visit this year. On Saturday May 17, May Festival is doing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, sung in German. "Ode to Joy" will close the performance that night and I am giddy with excitement. As I have mentioned before, I am not a big classical music fan. But I think hearing Beethoven’s Ninth sung in German, in Music Hall, in Over the Rhine, will be an incredible evening. Individual tickets do not go on sale until April so I am debating getting a small ticket package now just to make sure I can get a seat.

Photo from May Festival website.

Cincinnati Schnee

On my way to the gym this evening . . .

Streetcar Shenanigans

As most of you know there has been some news on the streetcar front today. Here was the article in the Enquirer this moring. Apparently, Roxanne Qualls came out of the closet with her own proposal.

I'm so mad I do not even know where to begin so I'm just going to go to the gym. I might write more later but you can follow along over at UrbanOhio in some of the conversation.

Image from BigKid

Weekend Warm-Up: February 22 – 24

My recommendations for something to do this weekend.

There is just a lot of stuff going on this weekend. Of course there are the standard plays and performances around town but I am offering the following . . .

First off, The Bockfest Sausage Queen Competition kicks off this weekend. As I mentioned before, Friday’s preliminary round is at Shooters at 10:00 pm. It is the one event I am not missing this weekend. I think the more people we get there, the more fun it is going to be. I’d love to see Shooters packed with a crazy mix of beer dudes and drag queens. I can only imagine how many times "sausage" will be used as a euphemism. My offer still stands to buy a drink for anyone who introduces themselves to Mr. Queen City Survey. (That would be me.)

But before that on Friday we have the Contusion Bowl II on Fountain Square. The Fountain Square Broomball League wraps up its season with the championship game at 6:00 pm. From the website:
If you only see one broomball game this year, it should be this one. Two teams compete for the 2008 championship title in a sporting event complete with the national anthem, "flyover," halftime fan challenge with $100 cash prize, and trophy presentation. Live announcers call the game, with live video coverage and a giant scoreboard. As they say in pro wrestling/monster trucks/hockey: You can pay for the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge! Public skating will open at approximately 7:00 and continue till 11:00 pm.

The Cincinnati Auto Expo actually begins today February 21 and runs through Sunday February 24 at the Cincinnati Convention Center. Check the Enquirer’s handy guide here for times, admission price, and exhibitors.

And finally I haven’t been in years but the Cincinnati Cyclones have a three-game home stand this weekend beginning tonight. I’ve heard that you can get tickets for as little as $10.00 this weekend through Ticketmaster. All games start at 7:30 at US Bank Arena. The line-up includes:
2/21 vs. Dayton Bombers
2/22 vs. Johnstown Chiefs
2/23 vs. Elmira Jackals

Cincinnati “Presidential Material”

There was a quiz in yesterday’s Enquirer marking President’s Day. The questions were all about Presidents which had some connection to Cincinnati. I thought it was a fun quiz however I had a slight issue with two questions.

Question 10 asked "Which of these Cincinnati-area localities was actually visited by the president it was named for?" Choices were Mount Adams, Monroe Township, Lincoln Heights, and Pierce Township. They said the answer was Mt. Adams which is what I thought the Enquirer would say. However, I might disagree with them. Former President John Quincy Adams came to Cincinnati to speak at the cornerstone laying ceremony for the Cincinnati Observatory which was held on November 9, 1843. The Observatory was being constructed on Mt. Ida just east of downtown. President John Quincy Adams did come from Boston to speak however the story as I understand it was that the weather was very poor that November day and instead of actually going to Mt. Ida, the ceremony was held in Wesley Chapel on 5th Street downtown. It was the largest building in Cincinnati at the time and could hold a large group. So maybe the 77 year old former President did go up on Mt. Ida that day but it is not what I’ve heard. City Council did mark the occasion though and renamed Mt. Ida to Mt. Adams in the President’s honor.



The Bonus Question asked "What area municipality traces its name not to a president but to a dictator?" Their answer was "The City of Cincinnati, after the Society of Cincinnati, an officer’s club whose name honored ancient Roman dictator Cincinnatus." Ok, I guess he was a technically a dictator but the reason why Revolutionary War officers named their Society after him was that he was considered a gentleman farmer who served as leader of Rome during war time and after the war was over, he relinquished control and went back to his farm. The Society related to this ethic of selfless service to the Republic and saw themselves in much the same way. George Washington was the first President General of the Society of Cincinnati. Alexander Hamilton, whom the county was named after, was the second. Members included Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, who renamed Losantiville to Cincinnati and David Ziegler, Cincinnati’s first mayor.

Historic photos from Library's Cincinnati Memory Project.

Restaurant Review: Via Vite

Well, I guess I had a date last night. One could call it a date if you wanted to. Upon accepting the offer I chose to go to Via Vite after both Nada and the Greenup Café were booked. I had not been yet and neither had my friend so with off we went.

My first impression of the space was very nice. It seemed much bigger than looking at it from Fountain Square. The place was not very crowded but I had made reservations. We were seated on the first floor along the windows looking out on to the Square. In my opinion, the setting for a restaurant does not get much better in this city. We even had a view of some Broomball. The décor is simple and sophisticated. It interiors feel more modern to me than Nicola’s which is in a renovated streetcar barn.

We did not go all out with an appetizer or salads. We both just ordered an entre and a bottle of wine. They did serve bread with butter. It was good but when I absolutely loved the bread at Nicola’s it left me wanting a little more. For dinner I had the Gnocchi with pesto, tomato sauce, and Italian sausage. My friend had the Chicken Scaloppini with a mushroom ragout. My dish was very good. Not to heavy and I liked the Italian sausage with gnocchi. And I tried the Scaloppini too which with the mushrooms was fantastic. I thought the mushrooms were great and it was just very hearty and earthy.

The service was generally good. As I said it wasn’t very crowded so our waitress was attentive but not pushy or overly attentive which is just fine by me. Since we didn’t get a salad or anything our meal was served fairly quickly, which again was just fine by me. I actually was a little surprised the restaurant was not more crowded but it was only a Monday.

Weekend Recap

A quieter weekend for me in general, I did go to see Take Me Out on Friday. As a whole, I enjoyed it. The Enquirer had a review and while I liked it more than they did I would agree with them on a few points. My biggest problem with the play, as was the Enquirer’s, was the portrayal of the gay accountant, Mason. He was way too gay. Frankly I didn’t think he needed to be, or should be, to get the point across. It all seemed "played up" and intended to make the play somehow funnier. Where I differ from the Enquirer is that I actually liked the portrayal of the team’s catcher Kippy more that they did. I thought the actor did a fine job as the storyteller.

Jason at Let’s Say You’re Right . . . has his review here.

As he points out, there is full frontal male nudity. Don’t tell Simon Leis.

The Queen’s Crown Jewels

J. Fitzhugh Thornton Memorial

Thornton Triangle with Thornton home in distance

Way out in Sayler Park at the intersection of Gracely & Thornton Avenues in the City of Cincinnati’s smallest park, Thornton Triangle, stands the J. Fitzhugh Thornton Memorial. The statue locally called "Tecumseh" is also known as the Sayler Park Indian or the Fernbank Indian. Dedicated on January 15, 1912, it was given by Eliza Thornton in memory of her husband John Fitzhugh Thornton who died in 1907.

J. Fitzhugh Thornton was a prominent citizen of Fernbank, the Village that was founded by Charles Wilkins Short (September 15, 1851 – April 26, 1926) and incorporated in 1888. John was born January 21, 1842 in North Bend, Ohio. He moved his family to what would be Fernbank and was a member of their first village council. Their Colonial Revival home at 95 Thornton Ave, directly west of the statue and park, was built in 1891. Fernbank was eventually annexed to the City of Cincinnati in 1912 shortly after the completion of the Fern Bank Dam in 1911.

The statue was cast by the J. L. Mott Foundry after a design by Samuel Anderson Robb. The original Indian figure was zinc with a cast iron base. The J. L. Mott Iron Works made a number of iron and zinc fixtures, furnishings, statues, fountains, etc. The company was founded in 1856 by Jordan L. Mott on the Harlem River in New York City. The Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx was named after the man and factory. Jordan Mott invented the coal burning stove. One article indicated they also supplied some of the cast iron for the Statue of Liberty. His son, Jordan Mott, Jr., grew the company and expanded the product catalogue to include a wide variety items like bath tubs and sinks, along with statues and fountains. The company produced a number of statues including some military soldiers in addition to the Indian figures. I have seen a reference that the J. Fitzhugh Thornton Memorial was actually catalogue item "Indian Chief No 53" and a similar statue stands in the National Park Seminary District in Forest Glen, Maryland. They say they are the same . . . but I am not sure.

Hiawatha Statue in Bethesda, MD

While not exactly grand, I find the statue and setting quite charming. It is not on the National Register, however it is a Local Historic Landmark. It was damaged twice by cars over the years and even sent to a scrap yard for a time before the community raised funds to bring it back. The statue was extensively repaired in 2002 and actually re-cast in bronze. The "new" statue was re-erected in late 2002, it was re-dedicated in 2003. I’d like to stop back in spring when the trees and flowers are in bloom. I think I’ll get better pictures.

Eliza Thornton passed away in October 1927, and was buried next to her husband in Spring Grove Cemetery, Section 29, Lot 144. Their headstones are simple and unassuming. And their lasting memorial really is the quaint little statue and park in Fernbank.

I would also like to note that this is not Greater Cincinnati’s only Indian statue. On Riverside Drive in Covington, part of the Northern Kentucky Riverwalk, is the Chief Little Turtle statue by Robert Koepnick. The bronze statue of the chief of the Great Miami Indians was dedicated in 1988 and similar to Tecumseh, stands watch along the Ohio River. It is one of seven statues along the Riverwalk that also includes John James Audubon, James Bradley, Daniel Carter Beard, Mary Becker Greene, Simon Kenton, and J. A. Roebling.

References:

Save Our Seminary

City of Cincinnati City Parks

History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian