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Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati, with a population of over 300,000, is the cultural and industrial hub for southwestern Ohio, and is the state's third largest city.

Early history

Founded in 1788 by John Cleves Symmes and Colonel Robert Patterson(1), the settlement was referred to as Losantiville. The name was derived from four terms, each in a different language that meant, "the city opposite the mouth of the Licking River."(1) "L" represented the Licking River, while "os" was Latin for mouth, "anti" was Greek for opposite, and "ville" was French for city. Arthur St. Clair renamed the community "Cincinnati" in 1790 in honor of the Society of Cincinnati.

In 1811, steam navigation along the Ohio River resulted in an increase in industry and population in the community. In 1819, the Cincinnati was incorporated as a city, and soon after, the Miami and Erie Canal was completed through the new city.(1)

The rapid growth of the city led to observers nicknaming Cincinnati as the "Queen City of the West" by the mid-1820s.(6) Boosters predicted "that within one hundred years from this time, Cincinnati will the greatest city in America; and by the year of our Lord two thousand, the greatest city in the world." Between 1830 and 1850, the city was referenced as a boom town, growing faster than any other American city. The Queen City also became the nation's second largest industrial center, feeding off of the power of the Ohio River and the associated navigable canals and waterways.

One of its primary industries was pork packing, growing at a substantial pace due to Cincinnati's prominence in the rich agricultural belt surrounding the city. The city was one of the many localized hubs for the slaughter and packing of hogs.(6) Each fall, farmers from Ohio and Indiana would transport hogs to the city via canal boats, where they would be slaughtered and packed during the winter months due to a lack of artificial refrigeration. By 1835, Cincinnati overtook Cook and Belfast in Ireland as the largest slaughtering and processing center. By then, the Queen City was often referred to as "Porkopolis," and many believed that meat packing was the dominant industry, but in reality, it accounted for only 15% of total value of goods produced within the city.

Industries involving the forging of iron and metal products were almost as equally important, and by the mid-1800s, the city boasted 44 foundries.(6) Nearly a third were involved in the construction of stoves, but several churned out steamboat engines. By 1841, Cincinnati was second only to Pittsburgh as a steamboat manufacturing and repair center.

The population of the city grew to over 100,000 citizens by 1850.(1) The growth slowed by mid-century, Cincinnati strangled by the very transportation system is relied so heavily upon. It's network of intricate canals and its over-reliance on the Ohio led to a stagnation that was only resolved with the construction and integration of railroads.(6)

Today

Today, the city is home to the University of Cincinnati, one of the largest public research universities in the United States. It's enrollment is over 35,000 and the university is the largest employer in the city.(0) Cincinnati is also home to Xavier University, a private, Jesuit institution, whose Masters of Business Administration program is top ranked by the U.S. News and World Report.(5)

Within Cincinnati, there are ten Fortune 500 companies (2) that range from Proctor and Gamble to Kroger's to Macy's.(3) An active arts and cultural scene presents itself with venues such as new Underground Freedom Museum, the renowned Cincinnati Art Gallery and the Aronoff Center for The Arts. For unique cuisine and fresh meats and vegetables, Findlay Market, Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market, is located just blocks from downtown in Over-the-Rhine.

For entertainment, nothing is better than heading to Fountain Square, centrally located at 5th and Vine streets. Recently redesigned, the large public space boasts new lighting and landscaping, several stages and a water wall, along with the historic Tyler Davidson Fountain that was dedicated in 1871 to the citizens of Cincinnati. Cincinnati also boasts the second oldest opera company, Cincinnati Opera, that was founded in 1920.(4) It is also host to the fifth oldest symphony and a Tony-award winning theatre company.

Further reading

1. Early History of Cincinnati from the Cincinnati Recreation Commission.
2. Downtown Cincinnati Inc.

Sources

1. "How Cincinnati Became A City." Cincinnati Recreation Commission. City of Cincinnati. 20 Aug. 2008 Article.
2. Ullery, Vicki. "Greater Cincinnati Welcome." Travelhost 2008. 21 Aug. 2008 Article.
3. "Fortune 500 2008: States - Ohio." Fortune Magazine. 2008. 21 Aug. 2008 Article.
4. "About Cincinnati Opera."Cincinnat Opera. 2007. 21 Aug. 2008 Article.
5. "Williams College of Business." Xavier University. 2008. 21 Aug. 2008 Site.
6. Hurley, Daniel. "Oh Visions and Dreams." Cincinnati: The Queen City. Illus. Michael Isaacs and Eberhard + Eberhard. Ed. Gale E. Peterson, et al. Cincinnati: Cincinnati Historical Society, 1982. 33-73. Print.