USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The suburbs of Cincinnati : sketches, historical and descriptive > Part 10
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
GERMAN PROTESTANT ORPHAN ASYLUM.
Among the best benevolent institutions of Cincinnati is the German Protestant Orphan Asylum for the destitute children who have been deprived of parents and homes. It was projected by a German Protestant association, that, during the cholera in 1849, found a larger number of orphans than could be provided for by the ordinary means. It seems a striking fact, that many of our most excellent institutions have started from the affliction of our race. These blessed oaks, under whose branches so many of the fatherless now find shelter and repose, were planted in the soil of riven and bleeding hearts, and watered by the tears of the bereaved. The founders soon thereafter put up a four-story brick building on High- land avenue, to which large and valuable additions were made in 1868, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars, which so increased the capacity as to make it equal to the accommodation of two hundred children. The institution is under the superintendence of Mrs. Mary Pfafflin, the widow of the Rev. G. F. Pfafflin, with whom she was associated in its management fourteen years prior to his death, which occurred July 4, 1869. Under able and careful management, the asylum has enjoyed most encouraging prosperity. It now has about fifty boys and forty-five girls. The children are well- dressed, contented, and happy. They call the matron " mother," and seem to have no less enjoyment than if they were at their real homes. These children are of all ages, ranging from infancy to eighteen years. Children of members of the association are admitted though they may have lost but one parent; in other cases, only those who are bereaved of both parents.
The children are sent to the public schools, and we understand that it is not an unfrequent occurrence for them to carry off honorable prizes. Those of sufficient age attend church in the morning in the city. In the after- noon Sabbath-school is held, at which students of Lane Seminary are gen- erally in attendance to render such service as may be desirable. Morning and evening the children assemble for worship. In the summer they rise at
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five o'clock-during the winter an hour later -- and are compelled to retire at an early hour. The house is plainly though comfortably furnished. The sleeping apartments are large and airy. Each child is supplied with a single bed, plenty of clothing, and, indeed, with whatever is necessary to his comfort and actual good.
At such times as are deemed proper, the children are placed in families, who obligate themselves to retain them until they arrive at their majority, when the boys are to be paid two hundred dollars, and the girls one hun- dred dollars, in cash. Co-operating with the institution is the Ladies' Protestant Orphan Association, that furnishes all the clothing for the chil- dren. Twice during the year, in May and October, a festival is held, at which liberal sums are usually obtained. The President of the Board is David Baker; Vice President, Jacob Schneider; Secretary, Christopher Krieger ; Treasurer, Herman Ficke.
WIDOWS' HOME.
Among the benevolent institutions in this locality is the Widows' Home. The charter was granted in 1851, the corporators being Robert Buchanan, Edward D. Mansfield, David B. Lawler, Lucius Brigham, Rufus King, Wesley Smead, John Stille, and others. Among those who contributed largely to the establishment of the home was Wesley Smead, Esq. The object of the institution is to provide a home for aged and indigent females, who can give satisfactory testimonials of good conduct and respect- able character. In general, persons under sixty years of age are not admitted, though this is not an invariable rule.
The fiscal affairs of the home are under the control of a board of trustees of three gentlemen, and the immediate management of all matters pertain- ing to the household is reposed in a board of managers, consisting of twenty ladies. The present matron is Mrs. Brasher, and the number of persons in the home, forty-one.
The house is on the west side of Highland avenue, immediately opposite
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the German Protestant Orphan Asylum. It consists of a large main three- story brick edifice, facing the south, with wings of two stories on both the east and west, and a basement throughout the entire building. The house is airy, with good halls, comfortable, well-furnished rooms, a parlor for the reception of guests, and a room set apart for religious worship and other meetings. The location is an eligible one, and the surroundings desirable and pleasant. The institution has an endowment fund, but this only par- tially defrays the current expenses. The benevolence of the community has to supply the remainder.
The members of the family are compelled to do no more work than is desirable. Those who are able are expected to make their own beds and sweep their rooms each morning; to sew, knit, assist in domestic duties, and render all the service they can for the benefit of the institution and for those who are more helpless than themselves. All that is necessary for their com- fortable support is provided from the funds of the society, and no person is allowed, under any circumstances, to leave the institution for assistance or work. The heavier domestic duties are performed by the servants, and it only remains for those at the Home to do such things as are entirely com- patible with their ability and pleasure. The larger number are Christians. Religious exercises are supplied by the Rev. Joseph Emery, City Mission- ary, who preaches on alternate Wednesday afternoons. Services are also held by other ministers, and by students of Lane Seminary, who are pres- ent regularly on Sabbath afternoons, save during the vacations in that institution. The ladies of the Home greatly enjoy these religious exercises, and the larger number welcome with delight those who come to them with Christian messages. In general, they are contented and happy, and regard with gratitude the labors of the friends who so bountifully provide for them. Many are quite aged ; not a few have found life beset with heavy trials, and can recall many a contest with poverty and misfortune, which would, per- haps, be as interesting as the contest of our gallant soldiers who have, from disability, found a home in our national asylums. But with them the heavy labor is done ; with the best evidence that the Lord has provided for
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Mount Auburn and Corryville.
them beyond any contingency, with the rough, thorny path of life behind, and the dawn already assuring them of the near approach, for them, of eternal day, the greater number but await the summons to a still better Home.
MOUNT AUBURN YOUNG LADIES' INSTITUE.
In the year 1856, eight gentlemen of Mount Auburn-John Bevan, George F. Davis, J. H. White, Henry Miller, R. A. Holden, John H. Ewing, G. A. Taylor, and H. Thane Miller-recognizing the peculiar fit- ness of this locality for a school, founded the Mount Auburn Young Ladies' Institute. In that year and the one following, buildings were erected on the west side of Auburn street, to which desirable and commo- dious additions have since been made. The main edifice is one hundred and fifty-five feet in length by forty-five in width, and is four stories in hight. The sleeping rooms are large and well ventilated; the study and recitation rooms are light and agreeable, and the cooking and dining apart- ments are arranged to promote cleanliness and comfort. The location is a most desirable one, commanding a splendid view of the western part of the city, the Ohio river, and the distant highlands of both Kentucky and Ohio. The institution began under favorable auspices, the founders having the good fortune to secure at once an accomplished educator to accept the presi- dency of the school. This was the Rev. E. A. Crawley, D.D., at that time President of the Acadia College, Nova Scotia, who happened to be in Cincinnati on business, and was induced to accept the responsibility of inaugurating the work. Dr. Crawley continued in this place four years, and was succeeded by H. Thane Miller, who occupied this responsible posi- tion with ability and singular acceptance until the close of the collegiate year of 1867-8, embracing a term of eight years. After Mr. Miller's resignation, the Rev. A. J. Rowland, who had been pastor of the Mount Auburn Baptist Church about two years, was elected to fill the vacancy, and has since occupied that position.
The catalogue of last year exhibits the names of about one hundred and
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fifty students. During the fourteen years of its existence this school has enjoyed uninterrupted success. Large numbers of young ladies from the best families of the country have been educated and sent forth on the great mission of life. The position it has attained is largely attributable to the excellence of the teachers who have been employed. Among them are the lamented H. T. Crawley; Prof. Eli T. Tappin, now of Ohio University ; Prof. Joseph M. Locke, late Principal of the Western Military Institute, at Dayton ; Nelson Sayler, Esq., and H. P. Boyden, Esq., of Cincinnati. Mrs. L. Burpe, Lady Principal of the institution from the founding of the school to the year 1868, contributed very largely to its success. She returned to her home in Nova Scotia, after her resignation, carrying with her the affectionate regard of a host of school and other friends. This institution has accommodations for one hundred boarders and one hun- dred and fifty day scholars. The grounds have recently been very much improved and beautified by the construction of walks, grottoes, a miniature lake, and by increased shrubbery and flowers.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The public school of Mount Auburn is worthy of commendation. The edifice is a three-story brick, situated on the north side of Southern avenue. The whole number of scholars enrolled last year was three hundred and seventeen ; average daily attendance, one hundred and seventy-four. The board organized, in 1868, an intermediate department in the same building, which went into operation in September of that year. The school, under the superintendence of John J. Marvin, has been ably managed, and has enjoyed a career of much prosperity.
HOPKINS PARK.
A beautiful feature of Mount Auburn is the charming little spot at the foot of Auburn street, called Hopkins Park. This is bounded on the north by Saunders street, and on the east and west, respectively, by Bigelow
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Mount Auburn and Corryville.
and South Auburn streets. The land, embracing about one acre, was donated to the city of Cincinnati early in 1866, by L. C. Hopkins, on con- dition that it should be held for a park for the use of the people; that it should forever be kept free from buildings, and, within two years from the conveyance, should be tastefully laid out and planted with durable trees and shrubbery, and, besides, be inclosed with a substantial and neat iron rail fence. These conditions have been complied with, and arrangements are making to still further improve and embellish the grounds by the erection of a fountain, and the addition of shrubbery and flowers.
CITY LOT.
Cities are seldom provident. The larger number are continually crying retrenchment, and yet conduct business in a manner to cost, eventually, the most money. If lands are to be procured, it is delayed until the necessity is actually upon them, and then they enter the market to purchase at greatly enhanced prices. Cincinnati, however, has not invariably followed this rule. Years ago the city purchased ten acres of William Burnet, for three thou- sand dollars. This lot is on the north side of Auburn avenue, and is now valuable. Various projects have been brought forward, from time to time, looking to a disposition of this property ; but thus far, fortunately, it has been without success. The time is coming when this will be desirable for either water or park purposes, or both; and it is hoped it will be retained to be used when that time shall arrive. That this part of the city is des- tined to fill up very rapidly, can not now be doubted. Mount Auburn, with the country embraced in what is now Corryville, must, within a con- paratively few years, teem with a population that will demand a park in this locality. The city would, consequently, sell this only to buy it back in the course of another decade, at a largely-increased price, or be compelled to pay dearly for some other tract no more desirable.
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
STREET RAILWAY.
That which has contributed much to the important advance in real prop- erty in Mount Auburn, and which, too, will continue to favorably influence emigration in this direction, is the street railway, which has been in opera- tion since the year 1867. The agitation of this question was begun about eight years ago. Among those who early identified themselves with the project were Chas. C. Reakirt, Judge Alphonso Taft, A. D. Bullock, Joseph Kinsey, and Harry R. Smith. As usual in all enterprises, however good, it took years of pounding to get the people ready for the work. Opposition showed itself in many quarters, and it was not until four years had been expended in this kind of labor that the right of way was procured, and obstructions so far removed as to permit the road to be built. To Judge Taft's indefatigable and hopeful labor this result is largely due.
The road runs from Main, up Liberty street to Price, which it follows in a northerly direction until reaching Ringgold street, where it turns sharply to the west. At the intersection of Josephine street it again bears to the north until reaching Saunders, which communicates directly with Auburn street, at the head of Sycamore. It continues thence along Auburn street to its intersection with Vine street, in the southern part of Corryville-a distance from Saunders street of nearly one mile. The maximum grade of the road is about ten feet to the hundred feet, which occurs on Liberty street. Here they are compelled to use an extra horse until reaching the summit. After attaining Price street it is less serious, though still sharp up-hill work. The construction of this road has dem- onstrated the practicability of street railways over all the surrounding hills; for there will be no route, judiciously located, that can meet with more obstacles in the shape of grade.
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Mount Auburn and Corryville.
PRICES.
Prices of unimproved property in Mount Auburn are rapidly approach- ing those of similar property below. Its proximity to the city, accessibility by the street railway, and the disposition of many to get no farther away from the business part of the city than is absolutely necessary to secure comfort and health, have contributed to this result. The prices of property during the past two years have astonished many persons; but there seems no reason why there should be much difference between the prices here and that of property in the plain below the same distance from the business dis- trict of the city.
That which perhaps indicates as near the actual value of eligible lots as any thing we could mention, is the sale of the well-known McGregor estate, in May of 1868. This was on Auburn street, north of McGregor avenue, A lot on the corner, one hundred and twenty-three feet front and two hun- dred in depth, sold to Briggs Swift for two hundred and twenty dollars per foot front. The next lot on the north, one hundred feet front, sold to Wil- liam Disney for two hundred dollars, and was resold at the rate of two hun- dred and twenty dollars. A lot adjoining on the north, two hundred feet, was sold to A. H. Hinkle, for two hundred and five dollars per foot. On McGregor avenue, immediately in the rear of these, a lot one hundred feet wide was sold to John Whetstone for one hundred and fifty dollars per foot. On the west side of Auburn street, north of the Methodist Church, a lot sixty feet by one hundred and eighty-five feet sold, in 1867, at one hun- dred and sixty-five dollars per foot. During the summer, George K. Shoenberger sold a lot, nearly opposite the McGregor subdivision, for two- hundred and fifty dollars per foot.
These prices are greatly in excess of previous sales. At the time, the McGregor sales created considerable commotion among dealers in real estate, and not a few predicted that the same property, in five years, would be less than then. How far these predictions will prove true, time will
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alone determine; but it may be proper to remark that in the general advance in real property in large, prosperous cities, the same predictions have been made, from time to time, only to exhibit the little knowledge men have of the expansive nature of values in the business centers of this country. Until these sales, the highest price paid for unimproved property on the hill was one hundred and ten dollars per foot.
ADVANTAGES.
Mount Auburn is somewhat difficult of access, but otherwise it is admir- ably situated. It possesses the advantage of being so near Cincinnati as to be within walking distance, and, in addition, is in immediate connection with the heart of the city by street railway. The objection urged by some persons to the country is, that they are compelled to keep a horse and car- riage in order to reach their places of business. Those living in Mount Auburn need not have their own establishment, as the omnibus and rail facilities are now so complete that they can go and return at any hour. While they have the convenience of the city, neither comfort nor health is compromised. The air is as pure on Mount Auburn, in general, as it is miles away. The altitude-four hundred and sixty feet at one point above low-water mark-secures a pure atmosphere, while it affords in all direc- tions beautiful landscapes. Some of the views and glimpses of the city and river from these points are of the rarest beauty. The views of the former at night, from the hights overlooking it, are almost like fairy spectacles.
Another present advantage that this location has, is, that it is supplied with both gas and water. Then, to its healthfulness it is hardly necessary to allude. Its elevated position and freedom from malarial influences ren- der it secure against much that affects the population in the lower lands. When these desirable features are combined with an excellent population, good churches and schools, we find a rare combination of attractions that may help us to discover why property is now commanding such prices in that neighborhoo.l.
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Mount Auburn and Corryville.
CORRYVILLE.
Corryville is one of those places that, in popular usage, has indefinite boundaries. Never having been incorporated for general purposes, the name has ordinarily applied only to that part of section fourteen which was subdivided by the Corry heirs in the year 1843, and named Corryville. For road purposes it embraced, until its recent annexation to the city as the Twenty-third ward, all of section fourteen, and such parts of section fifteen as were east of the Carthage road, the remainder of the latter section being within the corporate limits of Clifton. The former section extends as far east as Burnet avenue, and, on the south, to McMillan street. It will be observed that many improvements recognized as being within Mount Auburn, including the German Orphan Asylum and Widows' Home, are within what was formerly known as the Corryville road district. These improvements have been considered under the head of Mount Anburn, and it is here only necessary to speak more particularly of that part of Corry- ville which was comprised in the subdivision of the Corry heirs, to which allusion has been made.
Section fourteen was originally owned by Jacob Burnet and William McMillan. The latter had three hundred and twenty acres in the middle of the section, extending quite through it from north to south, while Mr. Burnet owned a quarter section on each side. After the death of Mr. McMillan, William Corry, the first Mayor of Cincinnati, purchased from the devisees all of the McMillan tract save four acres in the southern part and eighty across the northern border, which still remained in the pos- session of members of the McMillan family. The former descended to the
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Suburbs of Cincinnati.
children of Mr. Corry ; and, in 1843, William M., Thomas F., Mary A., Eleanor, Agnes, James A., and Alice Corry, subdivided these lands and laid out the village of Corryville.
The principal street is Washington avenue, formed by the junction of Vine street extended and Auburn street. This is ninety feet wide, and is macadamized and paved to Hammond street, which is the connecting link between it and the Carthage road. It is expected that this street will be extended northwardly at an early period. On it there are a larger number of improvements than on any other within the village; and, inasmuch as it is the route to Clifton, and one of the outlets of the city, it is a great thoroughfare.
Calhoun street, the principal one running east and west, connects Vine street extended and Clifton avenue. This street is sixty feet in width, is macadamized, guttered, and curbed. There are upon it a number of good dwellings, with promise of additional improvements.
Jefferson avenue, which runs parallel with Washington, is the same width of Calhoun. It extends from the latter to the Carthage road, and is paved, macadamized, and curbed.
Hammond street runs from Washington avenue to McLean street, in Burnet's and Reeder's subdivisions.
Highland avenue, upon which the German Orphan Asylum is located, Oak street, which has recently had the addition of several good residences, and Burnet avenue, which separates Corryville from Avondale, and is the eastern boundary of Mr. Shillito's premises, are all in the eastern part of the section, and have been alluded to somewhat under the head of Mount Auburn. They are in general well macadamized; and such as have not been completed are now being rapidly improved. There are still other streets of less importance, some of which scarcely exist save in name, but which will be improved from time to time, as occasion requires.
Mount Auburn being adjacent, the Protestant churches of that place are entirely convenient to the people of Corryville. The Catholics have erected a church on Calhoun street, which is at present used for the double
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Mount Auburn and Corryville.
purpose of religious worship and school. About fifty scholars are in daily attendance at the latter.
The public school is located on the west side of Washington street, between Boone and Hammond streets. The building is a large two-story brick edifice, erected about seventeen years ago, but greatly improved in the year 1866. The number of scholars in average daily attendance last year was about three hundred. The school, which is in a very prosperous con- dition, is in charge of Henry Doerler, who has been superintendent since 1869.
Prices of real estate in this locality can be indicated no better, perhaps, than by alluding to a transaction of Miles Greenwood, the conclusion of which is yet fresh in the public mind. Twenty-six years ago, Mr. Green- wood purchased, on the west side of the Carthage road, south of the pres- ent tollgate, twenty-two acres of land, for which he paid four thousand dol- lars. Two years ago this tract was subdivided, and sold in comparatively small lots at rates varying from ten to something over fifty dollars per front foot, the aggregate sales amounting to ninety-three thousand dollars.
The place, though well built up on Washington street, is yet sparsely settled elsewhere. There are, however, evidences of improvement in many places. At the junction of Eden avenue and Hammond street, the only steam engine on the hill, for miles around, has been erected by Hon. Wm. M. Corry, to propel the Bovey brick machine, which he has just introduced in that locality, and which has gone into operation with promise of becom- ing efficient and useful. Last year a large iron tank was erected here by the Cincinnati Water Works, to supply the highlands with water. Now that Corryville has been annexed to the city, it can not be doubted that in a comparatively short time water will be supplied to the entire ward. The Gas Company, too, have anticipated the wants of the future population, and already have their pipes along Highland avenue as far out as Oak street. The city, indeed, is steadily pressing in that direction. New build- ings and business houses are springing up, and the time is not distant, when, with a liberal policy on the part of land owners, this will become a populous
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district. The village is generally settled by persons of moderate means, who have purchased small lots and erected such dwellings as their ability would allow. The German element is a very strong one, and the faces of this class of our citizens are still strongly set in that direction. Accessible by both street railway and omnibus at all hours of the day, with moderate prices and delightful locations, it must soon become a suburb of whose con- sequence the reader will not have to be informed.
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