USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The city of Cincinnati : a summary of its attractions, advantages, institutions and internal improvements, with a statement of its public charities > Part 3
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There are one hundred and nineteen churches in Cincinnati, divided as follows among the various de- nominations : Baptists, eleven ; Christian, one; Congre- gational, four; Disciples of Christ, four; Friends, two; German Evangelical Union, four; German Reformed, three; Independent Methodist, one; Jewish Syna- gogues, five; Lutherans, three; Methodist Episcopal, sixteen; Methodist Episcopal, German, three; Meth- odist Protestant, three; Methodist Calvinistic, one; Methodist, colored, one; New Jerusalem, one; Presby- terians, Old School, six; Presbyterians, New School, six; Presbyterians, United, three; Presbyterians, Re- formed, three; Protestant Episcopal, seven; Roman Catholic, twenty-three; United Brethren in Christ, three; Universalist, one; Unitarian, three, Union Beth- el, one.
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CITY HALL.
L C.HOPKINS & CO.
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
THE CITY HALL,
with the beautiful grounds in front, occupies the square west of Plum Street, lying between Eighth and Ninth Streets. This is an attractive part of the city. The accompanying engraving will place it distinctly before the eye. It was built in 1853. All the city officers are here to be found. The sessions of the School Board, the City Council, and the Police Court attract to this edifice a multitude of people, whose conditions widely differ. Thus "the extremes" of humanity meet.
THE CINCINNATI OBSERVATORY
is situated near the eastern limits of the city, on Mount Adams, five hundred feet above low water, and has a commanding view of the city, the river, and the sur- rounding hills. It is furnished with a most perfect equatorial telescope, whose focal length is seventeen and one-half feet, with an object-glass twelve inches in diameter, which has magnifying powers ranging from one to fourteen hundred times. The corner-stone of this edifice was laid by the statesman and scholar, John Quincy Adams, in 1843, and the institution is insepa- rably associated with the memory of the astronomer and patriot, General O. M. Mitchel.
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
THE CINCINNATI ORPHAN ASYLUM, THE HOUSE OF REFUGE, THE WIDOWS' HOME, AND HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS
are fully described in their respective places in the chapter upon the charities of Cincinnati.
THE CUSTOM-HOUSE BUILDING,
a view of which is given, is an ornament to the city. It is on the south-west corner of Fourth and Vine Streets, and is the property of the United States. Here are the depository of government funds, the post-office, United States courts, and other offices pertaining to the general government.
THE CARLISLE HOUSE,
on the corner of Mound and Sixth Streets, is a hand- some structure. A hotel, upon the European plan, is here conducted in the best style. The apartments are spacious, and constructed purposely with a view to their present use. Few private dwellings excel this house in the tastefulness and elegance of its internal appoint- ments.
CITY WORK-HOUSE.
In 1866, a tract of twenty-six acres, near the House of Refuge, was purchased by the city, and in the suc- ceeding year work was commenced upon this magnifi- cent structure. It will be, when completed, the finest
MITCHELL
AND
RAMMELSBERG
FURNITURE CD.
99.
POST OFFICE
POST OFFICE.
MOZART HALL.
WORK-HOUSE
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
building of the kind in the United States. The edi- fice is five hundred and ten feet long, and will contain six hundred apartments. The work-shops will form a hollow square in the rear of the structure. The total cost will be nearly three-quarters of a million dollars. The accompanying engraving will give an idea of the edifice. The work will reflect great credit upon Robt. Allison, Esq., the Chairman of the Building Committee, and Messrs. Anderson & Hannaford, the architects.
THE DAVIDSON FOUNTAIN.
This magnificent work of art is soon to be erected upon Fifth Street, between Walnut and Vine. It re- ceives its name from its munificent projector, Tyler Davidson, who was long one of the merchant princes of Cincinnati. The execution and details of the proj- ect, at the death of Mr. Davidson, were left in the hands of Henry Probasco, Esq. The conditions im- posed upon the city in the gift were, briefly : That the fountain should always be kept in good order, with an abundance of pure water, and free for the use of all; that the conduits should be kept supplied twelve hours of the day in summer, ten hours a day in the spring and fall, and six hours a day in winter, except when the mercury was below a freezing point ; that a com- petent person, detailed from the police, should always be kept near it to preserve its cleanliness, and to guard
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
it from abuse; that the water should be used only for drinking and ornamental purposes, except in case of fire, in the immediate vicinity, and that to the donor and his legal representatives should be reserved the right to hold the city responsible for the continued fulfillment of these conditions.
The design of the fountain is beautiful, and it will stand an enduring monument to the liberality and taste of Messrs. Davidson and Probasco. The princi- pal figure will represent the Genius of Water, from whose hands falls the ever-flowing rain, which is caught by a peasant standing on the right, whose fields are thirsting for it. On the opposite side stands a citizen imploring water for his burning house. On the oppo- site side is the figure of a man, who, by a vigorous stroke, opens a spring for one on crutches who desires to drink. On the other side is a mother leading her child to the bath, invited by a nymph playing with the springing jets of water. Four jets, two from above and two from below, add life and variety to the scene. Near the base are four bas reliefs, representing the utility of water, viz., navigation, mills, fisheries, and steam.
On four corners are figures of children suggesting the enjoyments connected with water, viz., a girl adorning herself with pearls, a boy fishing for shells, a second fitting on skates, and a third finding corals
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and crystals. Near the top of the fountain, or just under the main figure, will be placed a medallion of Tyler Davidson. The water coming from the leaves of the shell is to be used as a fresh drinking water by a separate conduit pipe. The four upper jets belong only to the decoration, and are not intended for prac- tical use. The whole fountain will be of bronze, the base and its surroundings of granite and porphyry, and the railings or protection of the foundation will be either of wrought-iron or Dayton stone. ยท
The entire height of the structure from the street to the crown of the topmost figure (itself seven feet) will be thirty-two feet and a half.
The entire cost of the fountain will not fall far short of $100,000. When completed it will be the finest af- fair of the kind in the United States, and not inferior to any in Europe.
THE GARDEN OF EDEN.
The avenues have been surveyed, and a force em- ployed to grade the same. The work has since been steadily prosecuted, and the avenucs now graded wind along the hill-side, surrounding the reservoir, until, almost imperceptibly, you are brought to the highest elevation, where numerous points present themselves, from which magnificent views of the lake-like reservoir can be seen, as well as a grand and majestic view of
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the Ohio River, with the picturesque hills of Kentucky in the distance.
The whole tract now controlled by the city embraces one hundred and sixty acres. The intention is ulti- mately to convert it into a great city park, in which shall be a new and capacious reservoir. For this it is admirably adapted. The grounds are all within the city limits, and, when opened, can be reached in fif- teen minutes from the corner of Fourth and Vine.
It may be remarked that no sites hitherto spoken of compare with this in point of eligibility and suscepti- bility of improvement. The great advantages of the Garden of Eden can be realized only by those who visit and explore it.
The views from some of the avenues can not be sur- passed in point of grandeur and sublime effect. Nature has left very little to be done by the landscape gardener. The center of the ground is so undulating and diversi- fied that ample scope will be found by the landscape engineer to add to the natural interest by here and there constructing an artificial bridge where the wind- ings of the path make it necessary to cross some deep gully or murmuring stream; by the erection of grot- toes and artificial rock-work, and other devices calcu- lated to please the visitor. Several fine lakes can be made, with little expense, by making earth-work dams across one or more ravines, arranging them at different
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
elevations, thus making the lake at the highest point supply those below it. Beautiful cascades will be thus formed, presenting charming views from the avenues along either bank. And these lakes, so graceful and beautiful in the summer, will be no less beautiful in the winter, when their icy surfaces shall ring with the steel-clad shoes of the skaters.
The work on the new reservoir was commenced in 1867, and already sewers have been constructed, and the greater portion of the underground work and foun- dations has been done.
ACROSS THE RHINE.
The manufacture of lager beer employs an immense capital in this city. Its consumption is annually on the increase. The product in Cincinnati amounts to many millions of gallons annually.
Lager beer can be made to advantage only in the winter season. It is indispensable that it have ample time to ripen in the cellar before use. There are many immense cellars, in some of which five hundred thou- sand gallons of beer can be stowed away. One phase of German life, and one not uninteresting, can be seen only in the gardens where lager beer is dispensed in the summer season. Many of them are thronged dur- ing the warm evenings.
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
GYMNASIUM BUILDING.
Prominent among the many handsome fronts on Fourth Street is that occupied by the Gymnasium. This asso- ciation was organized in 1853, and a successful career encouraged it to attempt the splendid improvements here referred to, which were entered March 12, 1869.
THE EXERCISING ROOM .- This magnificent hall is about one hundred and twenty feet in length, forty-five feet wide, and thirty feet high, making one of the most spacious apartments for the purpose which could have been selected. Lining the walls, are some two hundred and twenty-five closets, neatly constructed, for the safe keeping of the apparel of the members during their exercises. At the further end of the hall are dressing- rooms, where the street attire may be changed for the more convenient habit of the gymnast. The arrange- ments of the apparatus in this vast room are all that can be desired for bringing into action and fully de- veloping every muscle of the body. For evening ex- ercises this hall is lighted from the ceiling by a system of suspended reflectors of immense size, which throw a mellow and softened light over the whole room, avoid- ing shadows, which side-lights sometimes cause. This experiment has resulted in a grand success, not only removing one of the chief causes of accidents, and ef- fecting a pleasing illumination, but attaining, withal,
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an economy in the consumption of gas, which is of no minor importance. The appointments in other partic- ulars are in keeping with those already mentioned. The beautiful marble drinking fountain, and the wash- room, finished in the highest style of the plumber's art, are noteworthy.
READING ROOM .- After the fatigue of an hour in the exercising room, there is a charming retreat for a quiet few moments in glancing over the papers and periodic- als, of which there is an abundant supply, suited to all tastes; or, if reading be irksome, chess and checkers are at hand, and may be indulged in. The reading room is finished in green. The carpet is a beautiful Brussels, is of excellent quality, and in its selection exhibits again that marked taste which the Committee has shown throughout. The furniture is handsome, and about the whole there is an attractive and comfort- able appearance.
BATH ROOM .- The bath room is about fifty-five feet long by seventeen wide, and contains a large number of closets. The baths are of iron, and of the most ap- proved pattern. These, as well as the platforms, are raised to prevent the accumulation of dirt, and to secure an easy access to any part in scrubbing. The painting is most beautiful and tasteful, the colors blending har- moniously. The most happy effect is arrived at. The toilet, the mirrors, and various accommodations are of
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
the most excellent kind. Warm and cold water is sup- plied, with showers, etc. The heating apparatus is a conical furnace, capable of heating a large boiler, con- taining some fifty barrels of water, in twenty minutes. In every respect, this important department is perfect.
The Young Men's Gymnastic Association numbers now over twelve hundred members, which will undoubt- edly be largely increased. The officers are: A. P. C. Bonte, President ; J. B. Resor, Vice-President; L. Nor- ton, Secretary ; William Resor, Jr., Treasurer. The Directors are Howard Barney and A. W. Whelpley.
HUGHES HIGH SCHOOL.
This is an imposing edifice, in the collegiate Gothic style of architecture. It is on the south side of Fifth Street, facing Mound Street, whose southern termina- tion is immediately opposite. The octagon towers at the corner give the building a striking and novel effect. No expense was spared to make it one of the most perfect of its kind. The internal arrangements are admirably adapted to the requisites of a school of the highest order.
LANE SEMINARY,
at Walnut Hills, is described in a subsequent part of this volume.
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
WOODWARD HIGH SCHOOL,
on Franklin Street, between Sycamore and Broadway, is an institution well worth visiting. Under the care of Professor George W. Harper, who has been for some years the Principal, this school has not only retained, but enhanced its ancient reputation.
THE JEWISH TEMPLE,
on the corner of Plum and Eighth Streets, is a point of great interest to visitors. Its style of architecture is peculiar and costly, and its internal appointments splen- did in detail. The building, as is the case with all similar structures, faces to the west, in conformity to Hebrew custom. Religious services are held here every Saturday morning, at 10 o'clock.
KEPPLER'S.
This edifice, owned by Keppler & Brother, is one of the finest in Cincinnati. It is an elegant freestone front thirty-eight by one hundred and thirty feet. Their ele- gant saloon, elaborately furnished, is one of the chief attractions of the city. Here a substantial meal, or lighter refreshments, can be obtained, served up in the best style. Special efforts are made to provide for the en- tertainment of ladies. A visit to this will repay any one. It is one of the fashionable resorts.
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
LINCOLN PARK,
on the west side of Freeman, near Clark, is a beautiful pleasure ground. It is handsomely laid out, and needs only time to develop into a spot of remarkable attrac- tions.
THE CITY PARK
is on Plum Street north of Eighth.
HOPKINS PARK
is on the corner of Mt. Auburn Avenue and Saunders Street.
WASHINGTON PARK,
on the north side of Twelfth, between Race and Elm, is the oldest of the public pleasure grounds. It was formerly the Presbyterian burying-ground of the city. Its noble trees, beautiful lawns, fountain, and other beauties, are much enjoyed by the multitudes who fre- quent it.
LONGVIEW ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE
is situated near Carthage, about six miles from the city. It is a magnificent structure, and attracts the notice of every passenger upon the railways entering the city by the Millcreek valley. The imposing front of this edifice and its extent strike the attention of all. The internal arrangements are admirable, and all its
LONGVIEW ASYLUM,
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
appointments constitute it one of the most perfect in- stitutions of the kind in the country. Dr. O. M. Lang- don is the efficient Superintendent and Resident Physi- cian, and visitors receive at his hands the utmost courtesy and attention.
This is a State institution, and is controlled by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the Governor of the State.
The edifice is built of brick, and is six hundred and twelve feet long. It is almost fire-proof. The stairways are of iron, and the floors are laid in cement. There is an abundant supply of water, and numerous inde- pendent means of egress in all parts of the house, thus lessening the danger of loss of life in case of fire. The upper stories of the wings are devoted mostly to con- valescents, and contain the amusement and reading rooms, which are well furnished. The building is lighted by gas manufactured on the premises, and is heated partly by hot air and partly by steam. There are over six hundred apartments in the Asylum. It was com- pleted in 1860, and cost, in the low prices of that pe- riod, nearly half a million of dollars.
Its architect was Isaiah Rogers. Extensive pleasure grounds are well cared for, with a view to the exercise and recreation of inmates. In 1868, 149 patients were admitted-79 males, 70 females. The average number, 430. Expenses for the year, $110,501.21.
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
LONGWORTH'S WINE CELLAR.
Of this Mr. Parton says : "One of the established li- ons of the city ; it cheers the thirsty soul of man. There we had the pleasure of seeing, by a candle's flickering light, two hundred thousand bottles of wine, and of walking along subterranean streets lined with huge tuns, each of them large enough to house a married Diogenes, or to drown a dozen Dukes of Clarence, and some of them containing five thousand gallons of the still unvexed Catawba. It was there that we made the acquaintance of the 'Golden Wedding ' champagne, an acquaintance which, we trust, will ripen into an en- during friendship. If there is any better wine than this attainable in the present state of existence, it ought, in consideration of human weakness, to be all poured into the briny deep."
MARINE HOSPITAL.
This is a substantial, solidly-built edifice, one hun- dred feet square, on the corner of Lock and Sixth Streets. The building is thoroughly fire-proof, and has every facility for the comfort and welfare of its inmates. Ample verandas extend along the front and sides.
THE MASONIC TEMPLE,
on the north-east corner of Third and Walnut, deserves special attention. It is in the Byzantine style of archi-
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tecture, and fronts one hundred and ninety-five feet on Third Street by one hundred on Walnut. It is one of the most magnificent edifices of its kind in the United States.
In the third story are a Chapter Room, Royal Select council room, Banquet Hall, twenty-one by fifty-eight feet, a Knights Templar's Encampment asylum, and many other apartments. A part of the fourth story is devoted to a Grand Lodge room, forty-three by seventy feet.
MOZART HALL,
on the corner of Vine and Longworth Streets, is a massive stone building, with an auditorium that will seat three thousand persons.
THE OHIO MEDICAL COLLEGE,
on Sixth Street, west of Vine, is admirably adapted to the uses for which it was built. It contains two large lecture halls, with extensive apartments for museums, dissection rooms, etc.
PIKE'S OPERA-HOUSE,
on Fourth Street, between Vine and Walnut, is a mag- nificent structure. The original opera-house was totally destroyed by fire, in March, 1866. The present edifice reproduces the front of the first building, but the internal arrangement is completely changed. It contains one of
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the most beautiful music halls in the United States. The front is of fine sandstone, wrought in the architec- tural style of the Elizabethan age, with elaborate em- blems of the fine arts cut in relief. This block, with the adjoining buildings, extending from Walnut Street to Vine, makes one of the most imposing displays of architecture to be seen in any American city.
THE PASSENGER DEPOTS
of the Atlantic & Great Western, the Cincinnati, Ham- ilton, & Dayton, and the Indianapolis, Cincinnati, & Lafayette Railways are model specimens of architecture. The first is between Fifth and Sixth Streets, on Hoadly Street. The last mentioned is entered on Plum Street, below Third.
QUEEN CITY SKATING RINK,
on Freeman Street, between Laurel and Betts, is a lively place in the winter; and at all seasons is a point of attraction for amusement seekers.
THE UNION SKATING POND
is west of Lincoln Park, and is the scene of hilarious gayety when Jack Frost is abroad in earnest. In the milder seasons this is the chief point of interest for the devotees of base ball.
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
ST. PAUL'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This edifice, which is now in process of erection upon the corner of Seventh and Smith Streets, will be an or- nament to the city. The andience room, with the gal- leries, will accommodate fifteen hundred persons.
ST. XAVIER'S COLLEGE,
on the corner of Sycamore and Seventh Streets, is one of the noticeable buildings of Cincinnati. It fronts sixty-six feet on Sycamore Street, and one hundred and sixty-six feet on Seventh Street. The institution was established in 1828, and about ten years afterward it passed into the control of the Society of Jesus, under the auspices of which the present structure was erected. Over the entrance is carved the motto, "Ad majorem Dei Gloriam." The impression conveyed by this edi- fice is that of massive grandeur and strength, and a durability measured only by time itself.
ST. PETER'S CATHEDRAL.
Among church edifices, the most imposing is St. Peter's (Roman Catholic) Cathedral, which is one of the finest buildings in the West. It is built of white limestone, with a stone spire of remarkable symmetry and beauty, two hundred and fifty feet high, resting on a colonnade
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of Corinthian columns. It was completed in 1853, about eleven years after its commencement. Here are to be witnessed all the imposing ceremonials of the Catholic ritual service. The music of the choir and splendid organ attracts many visitors.
RAILROAD BRIDGE.
The projected bridge across the Ohio, between But- ler Street, in this city, and Saratoga Street, in Newport, will be completed in 1870. It will furnish transit for railway trains, vehicles, and foot passengers.
The structure will be of wrought iron, timber being used only in the flooring. There will be eight piers and seven spans.
The following are the officers of the Newport and Cincinnati Bridge Company : President, Alfred Gaither ; Vice-President, A. S. Berry; Secretary, Charles H. Kilgour.
Directors : M. J. King, Wm. Ringo, W. H. Clement, T. G. Gaylord.
SUSPENSION BRIDGE.
This grand achievement of engineering skill is else- where described. Its execution was due to the genius of John A. Roebling, Esq. Its entire cost was about two million dollars. The entire length is nearly half a mile. The span is the longest in the world. The
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
of Corinthian columns. It was completed in 1853, about eleven years after its commencement. Here are to be witnessed all the imposing ceremonials of the Catholic ritual service. The music of the choir and splendid organ attracts many visitors.
RAILROAD BRIDGE.
The projected bridge across the Ohio, between But- ler Street, in this city, and Saratoga Street, in Newport, will be completed in 1870. It will furnish transit for railway trains, vehicles, and foot passengers.
The structure will be of wrought iron, timber being used only in the flooring. There will be eight piers and seven spans.
The following are the officers of the Newport and Cincinnati Bridge Company : President, Alfred Gaither ; Vice-President, A. S. Berry; Secretary, Charles H. Kilgour.
Directors : M. J. King, Wm. Ringo, W. H. Clement, T. G. Gaylord.
SUSPENSION BRIDGE.
This grand achievement of engineering skill is else- where described. Its execution was due to the genius of John A. Roebling, Esq. Its entire cost was about two million dollars. The entire length is nearly half a mile. The span is the longest in the world. The
STHUURTUGE 1TH TTATI .
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THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
rate of toll for foot passengers is three cents; for a horse and carriage, fifteen cents.
SCIENCE AND BACON.
The visitor to Cincinnati in the winter season will be interested in the various processes of pork-packing. It is quite a sight to witness the rapid disposition of the huge animal at the hands of skilled workmen. The following description is given of the process after the slaughtered hog is delivered on the cutting-table: "Two simultaneous blows with a cleaver sever his head and his hind-quarters from the trunk, and the subdivision of these is accomplished by three or four masterly cuts with the same instrument. Near the table are the open mouths of as many large wooden pipes as there are kinds of pieces in a hog; and these lead to the various apartments below, where the several pieces are to be further dealt with. Away they start on their journey, and thus in twenty seconds the six hundred pounder has been cut to pieces and duly distributed." The pork business of Cincinnati is enormous, and is the source of great wealth.
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