Fire Station Friday

Engine Co. #42
542 E. 12th Street, Pendleton

Completed in 1906, this is one of a number of stations designed by Harry Hake, including the current Cincinnati Fire Museum on Court Street.

Fish Frys!

Ok, so tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. For many it is a time of fasting . . . and for others, Fish Frys! I'm a big fan of the Fish Fry, especially here in the birthplace of the Fillet-O-Fish.

I think I want to do a tour this Lent. I think I am starting at St. Teresa of Avila on Friday. Think it would be weird to do a weekly Fish Fry blog post? I know . . . this coming from someone doing an NCAA style tournament of local buildings.

Where are your favorites? Anyone know any downtown or in Over-the-Rhine?

Immaculate Heart of Mary Fish Fry photo from Cincinnati Enquirer, April 2, 2003.

YouTube Tuesday

A Look at Cincinnati in Video

In honor of Sunday's Oscars, a clip from the best movie ever filmed in the Cincinnati area . . . Airborne.


Ok, not really.

Note: This clip has some music dubbed over the actual film soundtrack.

Video from Evandro29

Cary for Nemo

Ok, this post of the Cary Cottage at the Clovernook Center for the Blind is for Nemo Wolfe over at Stacked because of a post there on Cincinnati area literary figures.

I reserve the right to later use these images for a "Behind the Asphalt" post.

Historic image of the Cary Cottage from Library's Cincinnati Memory Project.

Shillito Rant?

There is this strange sign in a window on the Shillito Lofts. Something about President Obama.

'St. Paulus Schule'

The former St. Paul's Boys' School at Pendleton and 12th Streets.

The corner building was constructed in 1862 with an addition in 1887 and another in 1894. I am not totally sure but it may be the oldest remaining school building in the City of Cincinnati. The oldest remaining Cincinnati Public School is from 1868.

The design is a fantastic eclectic composition of Italianate, Queen Anne, and 2nd Renaissance Revival.

This is just one building on the East Over the Rhine ARCHITREKS tour. But it may be my favorite.

Blog Alert: Queen City Discovery & Abandoned

Queen City Discovery
Ronnie is a local blogger "Photographically exploring the city of Cincinnati, outer suburban sprawl, tri-state, and everywhere else I go." He is also one-half of the current ‘Forgotten Cincinnati’ show at Park+Vine. Some great recent posts on the Skywalks and this building on Eden Avenue which I also took some pictures of.

Abandoned
Sherman is the other half of the current ‘Forgotten Cincinnati’ show at Park+Vine. He has a couple of blogs and I am finally getting around to posting this one. Abandoned is pretty much just like it says and includes some Cincinnati area locations and many others in the region.

So check out them both out (and Park+Vine) if you are not already! Links in the side bar.

Blog Alert: Victorian Antiquities and Design

I have been a reader of Victorian Antiquities and Design for a while now but am finally just getting around to putting a link to it on my blog roll. Written by Paul Wilham, he recently purchased a home in North Fairmount and will soon move his family and business to Cincinnati. He writes, "I have been actively involved in Historic Preservation and Restoration for the last 20 years. I own a restoration consulting company and have several ecommerce sites that deal with antiques and art. I have lived in historic neighborhoods across this country. I actually enjoy what I do for a living, having left the corporate world a few years ago. I am proud to be a part of restoring the architectural history of our country."

I am especially liking his entries on cheap, yet interesting property for sale that needs a little (or a lot) of fix-up.

So check out the blog if you are not already! Link in side bar.

No. 7 or No. 8?

Part II

So Margo at the Cincinnati Preservation Association provided the information on the background to the Police Station at 355 McMillan. She writes . . .

According to the Bicentennial Guide to Cincinnati (1988): "In 1927, police district boundaries were redrawn, and the station became the Seventh District Patrol House. By 1957, the building was no longer needed and was turned over to the Cincinnati Recreational Commission for renovation as a community center.... As the community oprganizations and the accompanying sense of community identity weakened, the Recreation Commission changed the facility into an Arts Center around 1970. The Fairview Arts Center closed due to lack of funds in 1984, and the city sold the building."

Avondale: Lenox to Dakota

These fantastic houses are located along Redway Avenue from the corner of Lennox Place to Dakota Avenue. Part of this part of North Avondale was platted by the Robert Mitchell family in the 1890’s, who also platted the Rose Hill subdivision about the same time. Son Richard Mitchell lived at 3 Burton Lane, now the New School. His brother Albert later lived in Rose Hill. (In a ‘Behind the Asphalt’ way, Mitchell Avenue is named after this family.)

935 Lenox Place (c. 1890)
A wonderful, commanding Chateauesque style mansion
946 Redway Avenue (1908)
An eclectic design with Italian Renaissance Revival, Romanesque and Craftsman style details.
3885 Dakota Avenue (1902)
A late Swiss Chalet - Exotic Revival home with Queen Anne details and early Craftsman style touches.

A Look Ahead

In two weeks:
"Art of Food" at the Carnegie

Ornate edible creations and sculpture were often created for celebrations in the cities and courts of early modern Europe. The Art of Food, an exhibition of ephemeral art created out of food, pays homage to this past and will feature food as more than a necessity, but as a taste experience.

The Art of Food explores the ways in which food is a complete sensory experience along with creative interpretations from artists who use food as the inspiration for the art. Today, the food industry is integrated in all aspects of pleasing the senses.

This unique two-week exhibition attracts the art and culinary masters in the area, to create the best art, food and atmospheres. The exhibition opens with a Grand Event to initiate the run of his exhibition. Top chefs from the greater Cincinnati area, fantastic local artists and actors and the public will come together to experience the dynamic way in which food comprises an art form.

Opening Reception is March 6 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from the Carnegie’s website.

In three weeks:
Friday Night Fights at CAC

On Friday, March 13, Friday Night Fights return to the Cincinnati Athletic Club. Proceeds benefit Cincinnati Golden Gloves and the Cincinnati Police Athletic League. Happy Hour starts at 5:00 PM and the boxing matches begin at 7:00 PM. Tickets for the event are $30 but discounts are available for large groups. There will be a cash bar and pizza slices will be for sale. The accompanying party includes a DJ. I went last year and it was a blast. Maybe not so fun for the fighters that lost but completely fun if you had a few beers.

For tickets call 241-0096.

Bearcat Football #1 in Overachieving

So I was at the gym and reading an interesting article in this week’s Sporting News. The article was a ranking of a number of NCAA college football programs that highlighted the schools that basically did more, with less.

By looking at the rankings of recruiting classes and then comparing with number of wins, it formulated a list of schools that in essence took less touted recruits but won a lot of games. UC ranked No. 1. The Big East actually finished No 1, No. 2 (West Virginia), and No. 3 (Louisville).

Brian Bennett, the Big East blogger over at espn.com, did an entry Thursday on the story. He has a good take on it.

In other related news, Sporting News had Kevin Huber as the No. 3 ranked punter in this year’s draft.

Police Station No. 7 or No. 8?

At the southeast corner of the "Six Points" intersection of Ravine, McMillan, and Fairview Streets is the former Police Station No. 7 . . . or No. 8.

On the building it clearly says "Eighth District Patrol" and the above photo indicates Eight District but on the National Register of Historic Places it is listed as Police Station No. 7 which is said to have been completed in 1895, and designed by Samuel Hannaford & Sons and Charles Rosentiel.

Maybe the 7th & 8th Districts were combined at one time under the 7th District which is why it is listed in the National Register as such. Anyway, it troubles me . . . and yes, this is the stupid stuff I ponder.

Historic image from the Library's Cincinnati Memory Project.

QCS Quips

Random thoughts . . . Cincinnati related and otherwise.

• I am less certain today than a few months ago that a streetcar, any streetcar, will be built by say 2015. And that pisses me off.
• I thought Top Chef yesterday was going to be the finale. I’m hoping for a Carla upset!
• Did you see the list of the "Top Ten" restaurants in the city according to Cincinnati Magazine? I’ve only been to three and one of those was just for brunch.
• Watching a re-run of "The West Wing" on Bravo yesterday there was a mention of President Hayes! Annabeth points out to a group of kids that the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office was a gift to Rutherford B. Hayes from Queen Victoria in 1880.
• Oh, and not that I will ever have children, but if I did the first boy will now include some variation of "Rutherford".
• A local blogger took my picture over the weekend. Looks like Barry posted it today. He took a picture of me before and I am wearing the same hat.

Weekend Warm-Up: February 20 – 22

My recommendations for something to do this weekend

This weekend – Saturday and Sunday – is the Fine Arts Fund Sampler Weekend. Go here to get the rundown of all the events going on. I suggest printing out the PDF for a quick and handy calendar. There are too many things to list but includes free performances at some local theatres and free admission to a number of museums.

If you want to get a jump on the weekend, and a jump on Bockfest, tonight is the first preliminary for Bockfest Sausage Queen Competition. Tonight’s event is at The Comet at 9:00 PM with additional evenings at The Blue Bar, Arnold’s, and Milton’s. The finals will be at Bockfest Hall. It was a hoot last year.

Additional links in side bar.

Afternoon Zoo

This post is dedicated to my father who would have been 81 today.

Wanting a "Cincinnati" thing to do to mark my father’s birthday, I decided to go to the Cincinnati Zoo (on Sunday). When I was young, my father was the parent who would always take us to the zoo. He would take off work – which was rare – and we would go every summer. We’d always bring a sack of bread and bag of peanuts to feed the ducks and elephants back when one could still do that. I always remember riding the train (which is closed in winter) and I always remember going to that café near the entrance to get something eat.
The zoo has changed much since I had been there with my father. But the cat house still smelled bad.

This peacock was NOT happy.

Some of the new baby Galapagos Tortoises!

Japanese Macaques

This gazelle got a stick stuck in her horns.

Emperor Penguins

The penguins were chatty.


From January 5th to February 28th, tickets are half price and I was pleased with how many animals were out and about. It was a little cold but not too bad actually and I warmed up when I went inside to see the manatees, the penguins, the insects . . .

Weekend Rewind

Overall, this past weekend was excellent. Friday night included an eclectic mix of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at Music Hall, followed by a drag show at Shooters, followed by late night Chinese food at Shanghai Mamas where other local bloggers were also found. Saturday included a walk around Pendleton and East Over the Rhine -- gearing up for my new ARCHITREKS tour duties in 2009, an early dinner at J. Alexander’s with a group of friends, early drinks at Below Zero, and late drinks at Shooters which also included other local bloggers. I think a group photo was taken.

Presidents’ Day

Kickin’ It Hayes Style

According to Wikipedia, the federal holiday now known as Presidents’ Day was to honor Washington’s Birthday and was "originally implemented by the United States of America federal government in 1880 for government offices in the District of Columbia". Yep, you guessed it, during Rutherford B. Hayes’s term as President! It was expanded later in 1885 to include all federal employees.

On a related/unrelated note, C-SPAN came out with their second Presidential Rankings. Hayes dropped seven spots! How do you finish lower than people like Garfield who was in office only a matter of months?! Hayes is getting the shaft and I am not happy about it.

"Raise the Rutherford!" is a continuing, slightly humorous series to raise awareness of Rutherford B. Hayes and erect a statue of him in Cincinnati.

Image of the Hayes Inauguration Stereoview from the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center.

QCS: Behind the Asphalt

Hosea Avenue

Behind the Asphalt is Queen City Survey’s periodic look (and rip-off of VH1’s Behind the Music) at the people behind the names of our city streets.


Robert Hosea was born February 15, 1811 in Boston, Massachusetts. His family moved to Chillicothe in 1816. In 1826 he moved to Cincinnati, becomes involved in mercantile pursuits but eventually joins his father here in a steamboat supply business. In 1835 he begins working the steamboats in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys until 1844 when he comes back to Cincinnati. In that year he forms Hosea and Fraser, a grocery business which would eventually become Robert Hosea & Company in 1854 and later Hosea & Company when his sons took over the business.

A man of a variety of interests, he is elected to the State Legislature in 1857 and serves until 1858. He becomes friends with Salmon P. Chase and he would continue his public service in 1871 by becoming Mayor of Clifton, a town which he helped build. It was while he was Mayor of Clifton that Hosea Avenue was named after him. He would leave office in 1876. (It should be noted that Hosea Avenue in Lockland is also named after Robert Hosea, as he was an investor in the Lockland-Wyoming Improvement Company.)

His first wife Harriet died in 1875, and they had 10 children. Two served in the Civil War including Lewis Montgomery Hosea who rose to rank of Major. Lewis is equally as interesting as his father, becoming a lawyer after the Civil War and becoming involved in a wide range of organizations from the Cincinnati Society of Natural History and the Ohio Mechanics' Institute to the Literary Club and the Symphony Club. At the time of his death in 1924, Lewis Hosea resided at 3430 Brookline Ave, on the corner of Brookline and Hosea Avenues.

The Major Lewis Montgomery Hosea House
In 1876, Robert Hosea marries Lucy Klinck Rice. Forty-one years younger (!) she was a very active woman herself, serving as President of the Women’s Club, President for the Ohio Hospital for Women’s & Children Hospital, and Treasurer of Kindergarten Union, an advocate group for Kindergarten education. (Her last residence was on Bishop.)

Among Robert’s activities and interests were President of the Board of the Unitarian Church and member of the Literary Club. And, for over forty years he was a trustee of Spring Grove Cemetery, from 1864 to 1906. On February 20, 1906, at the age of 95, Robert Hosea passed away. His last residence was in Clifton at 320 Resor Road, now home of St. John’s Unitarian Church. I am trying to find if there is any connection between him and St. John’s.
He is buried on Spring Grove Cemetery in Section 23, Lot 2, a prominent site in the lower portion of the cemetery.

Hosea Avenue is a beautiful street on the more densely populated, originally German, east side of Clifton. Running east-west it runs from Clifton Avenue near the intersection of Clifton and Ludlow to Bishop Street. Fantastic homes ranging from Queen Anne to Classical and Tudor Revivals dot the streetscape. One home currently for sale near Bishop has an asking price for just a tad over half a million.
Of course, most know Hosea Avenue as the home of Dewey’s Pizza in Clifton.
References:
Cincinnati, The Queen City. 1788 - 1912
The History of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, 1894.
Federal Writers Project. Cincinnati, A Guide to the Queen City and Its Neighbors. City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. 1943

The Road to Cincinnati March(itecture) Madness

We are gearing up for 2009 Cincinnati March(itecture) Madness here at QueenCitySurvey. The thirty automatic qualifiers are being sorted out and qualifications for the play-in "games" are being decided as we speak. Eventually, two additional buildings or structures will be nominated by the readers to join a field of thirty-two. It is still early but there may be up to ten new buildings in the field this year.

A couple of notes and reminders:

• All Cincinnati National Historic Landmarks did not automatically qualify this year. So the final field may not include buildings like the Showboat Majestic or the George Hunt Pendleton House.
• To be considered, the building must be in Cincinnati. I may open up the field to buildings in the region in subsequent years but there is a wealth of buildings just in Cincinnati.
• If anyone really likes a Cincinnati building built in the Modern era, from say 1945 to 1980, please nominate it when the time comes. Right now the list is lacking in modernism.
• I wanted a logo this year. But none were submitted in my little contest so we will just have to do without.

Sunday in Spring Grove

Sunday was so beautiful outside, I went walking around Spring Grove Cemetery.