Over-the-Rhine

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This article is about the Cincinnati neighborhood. For the Ohio-based band, see Over the Rhine (band).
Over-the-Rhine Historic District
Over-the-Rhine-montage.jpg
Over-the-Rhine is located in Ohio
Over-the-Rhine
Location Roughly bounded by Dorsey, Sycamore, Eleanor, Reading, Central Pkwy, McMicken Ave., and Vine streets, Cincinnati, Ohio
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Area 319 acres (1.29 km2)
Architectural style Greek Revival and Late Victorian[1]
NRHP Reference # 83001985[1]
Added to NRHP May 17, 1983[1]

Over-the-Rhine, sometimes abbreviated OTR, is a neighborhood in Cincinnati. It is believed to be the largest, most intact urban historic district in the United States.[2] Over-the-Rhine was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 with 943 contributing buildings.[3] It contains the largest collection of Italianate architecture in the United States,[2][4][5][6] and is an example of an intact 19th-century urban neighborhood.[7] It was developed at a time of a high rate of German immigration to Cincinnati, and became the heart of its ethnic German community for decades. When Old St. Mary's Church opened here in 1842, it was the largest church in the Ohio Valley.

Today the neighborhood has a strong arts community,[8] and is home to two arts schools and many theatres and galleries. In the 21st century, it is considered the fastest-growing, trendiest neighborhood in the city; Over-the-Rhine has been voted 'Best Cincinnati Neighborhood' in CityBeat's Best of Cincinnati from 2011-2014.[9] Since the early 2000s, OTR has been experiencing rapid development, with many buildings being rehabilitated for use as apartments, condos and retail spaces. Over-the-Rhine is bordered by the neighborhoods of Downtown, CUF, Prospect Hill, Pendleton, and the West End.

Etymology

The neighborhood's distinctive name comes from its builders and early residents, German immigrants of the mid-19th century. Many walked to work across bridges over the Miami and Erie Canal, which separated the area from downtown Cincinnati. The canal was nicknamed "the Rhine" in reference to the Rhine River in Germany, and the newly settled area north of the canal as "Over the Rhine."[10][11] In German, the district was called "über den Rhein."

An early reference to the canal as "the Rhine" appears in the 1853 book White, Red, Black, in which traveler Ferenc Pulszky wrote, "The Germans live all together across the Miami Canal, which is, therefore, here jocosely called the 'Rhine.' "[12] In 1875 writer Daniel J. Kenny referred to the area exclusively as "Over the Rhine." He noted, "Germans and Americans alike love to call the district 'Over the Rhine.' "[13] The canal was drained and capped by Central Parkway, the resulting tunnel was to be used for the now defunct Cincinnati Subway project.

History

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Main article: History of Over-the-Rhine

Built in the nineteenth century during a period of extensive German immigration, Over-the-Rhine changed as many city residents moved out during the 20th century to newer suburban housing. They were replaced by African Americans who came to the city in the Great Migration. The city and area had lost many of the industrial jobs which once supported its workers. By the end of the century, the area was notable for the poverty of remaining residents.[10] In 2001 Reason Magazine dubbed it "ground zero in inner-city decline."[14] Since the late 1970s, advocates for historic preservation and low-income housing have struggled over how to preserve the neighborhood without causing mass displacement of the poor.

The 2001 Cincinnati riots brought international attention to Over-the-Rhine, and accelerated a century-long trend of population decline. Low property values enabled developers to buy and renovate a large number of historic buildings.[15] Since 2004 hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in revitalization projects.[16] Reflecting a national trend, since 2006 the crime rate has decreased each year. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, "in just six years, developers have moved Over-the-Rhine from one of America’s poorest, most run-down neighborhoods to among its most promising." The Urban Land Institute described Over-the-Rhine as "the best development in the country right now."[17]

Geography

Over-the-Rhine and its surroundings

Over-the-Rhine is believed to be the largest, most intact urban historic district in the United States.[2] Because of its size, Over-the-Rhine has several distinct districts. OTR is bisected by Liberty Street. The Northern Liberties[18] and the Brewery District[19] are north of Liberty Street. South of Liberty are the Gateway Quarter and Pendelton.

The Gateway Quarter

The Gateway Quarter is a district of Over-the-Rhine. It is located on the southwest side of Over-the-Rhine, roughly bordered by Central Parkway to the south and west, Main Street to the east, and Liberty Street to the north. It is also sometimes known as "The Gateway"[citation needed]. The name "Gateway Quarter" as given to this area by 3CDC and other corporations in an attempt to rebrand the neighborhood, disassociating some of the new retail and residential development from the name "Over-the-Rhine" which many people at the time may have associated most strongly with poverty and racial conflict due to the Cincinnati riots of 2001.

Today, the Gateway Quarter is distinct for its bustling foot traffic and its dozens of shops and high-end restaurants. Most of the recent redevelopment in the area has been a direct result of large and coordinated investments by 3CDC and the City of Cincinnati.

The Brewery District

The area north of liberty street was the heart of Cincinnati's beer brewing industry.[20] Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. began brewing beer in the Brewery District in December, 2010.[21] Christian Moerlein established his first brewing company in Over-the-Rhine in 1853. Eventually the Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. became the city’s largest brewery and expanded into the national market. At its height the brewery occupied three entire city blocks. Prohibition brought an end to the company in the 1920s.[22]

Liberty Street

Liberty street forms an important social or physical boundary between two fairly distinct parts of the neighborhood. South of Liberty Street, there is much more retail activity, and apartment buildings are being renovated more rapidly. North of liberty, retail is much more limited, primarily contained in the area just around Findlay Market, and many residential buildings are still clearly abandoned.

Until 1849, today's Liberty Street, then called Northern Row, was the corporation line forming Cincinnati's northern boundary. The area north of Northern Row was not subject to municipal law and was, appropriately, called 'The Northern Liberties'.[18]

Architecture

Over-the-Rhine has been praised for its collection of historic architecture. The New York Times described the neighborhood as having "a scale and grace reminiscent of Greenwich Village in New York."[15] Its architectural significance has also been compared to the French Quarter in New Orleans and the historic districts of Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina.[15][23] When Arthur Frommer, founder of the Frommer's travel guides, visited Over-the-Rhine he described it as the most promising urban area for revitalization in the United States, and claimed that its potential for tourism "literally could rival similar prosperous and heavily visited areas."[24][25]

Most of Over-the-Rhine's ornate brick buildings were built by German immigrants from 1865 to the 1880s.[15] The architecture of Over-the-Rhine reflects the diverse styles of the late nineteenth century—simple vernacular, muted Greek Revival, Italianate and Queen Anne.[26] Most of the buildings in Over-the-Rhine are one of these styles, but there are other odd balls as well. Art Deco is represented by the American Building on Central Parkway, the Germania Building at Twelfth and Walnut streets is ironically one of the few examples of German ornamentation in the neighborhood, Music Hall's mixture of styles is best described as Venetian Gothic, there are a handful of buildings with Gothic architecture, and the new SCPA on Central Parkway is the most notable example of Modern architecture in the neighborhood.[2]

  • The Germania Building (Eastlake H)

  • Music Hall (Venetian Gothic)

  • Memorial Hall (Beaux Arts)

  • Elaborate ornamentation of an Elm Street building.

  • Rounded window cornices are a common feature of Italianate architecture.

  • Italianate greystone at Clay and 13th Streets.

  • Entrance to the American Building (Art Deco)

  • Hanke Building on Main Street detail (Renaissance Revival)

  • Queen Anne architecture on Main Street

Historic restoration

A comparison of a section of Vine Street from 2009 and 2013.

In 2011, the Over-the-Rhine Foundation, which works to prevent historic building loss in OTR, won 3rd place in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's nationwide This Place Matters community challenge.[27] In 2006, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has listed the status of Over-the-Rhine as "Endangered."[26] Since 1930, approximately half of Over-the-Rhine's historic buildings have been destroyed.[24] More will follow unless currently deteriorating buildings are repaired.[26] Between 2001 and 2006, the city approved more than 50 "emergency demolitions," which were caused by absentee landlords' allowing their buildings to become so critically dilapidated that the city declared them a danger to the public. Reinvestment could have saved them.[24][28] Due to the situation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared Over-the-Rhine one of Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places in 2006.[26] Over-the-Rhine was included in the 2008 book, Frommer's 500 Places to See Before They Disappear, which noted the district's "shocking state of neglect".[29]

According to research conducted by WCPO in 2001, some of the worst-kept properties are owned by Over-the-Rhine's non-profits,[30] which let the buildings sit vacant and deteriorating because of lack of funds [31] or volunteers.[32] With some buildings on the verge of collapse, investors and real-estate developers are trying to restore them before deterioration to the point of requiring demolition.[15] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, part of Over-the-Rhine has one of the highest rates of abandoned and vacant homes in the country. They classify it as the sixth hardest area in the nation to get an accurate population count.[33]

Crime

The amount of serious crime in Over-the-Rhine (blue) has decreased since 2006, but crime still remains higher than the citywide neighborhood average (red).

In February 2006 the city reported that Over-the-Rhine had the highest crime rate of the city's neighborhoods.[34] Between 2001 and 2006 Over-the-Rhine had the highest number of calls for police service—more than twice the next highest neighborhood.[35] It experienced 606 violent crimes in 2005; no other Cincinnati neighborhood exceeded 243—the average for all other neighborhoods was 65 violent crimes.[35] In 2005 Over-the-Rhine experienced 350 robberies; the average for all other neighborhoods was 38.[35] According to Cincinnati Police, 80% of the suspects arrested in Over-the-Rhine do not live in the community,[34] and the majority of violent crimes in Over-the-Rhine are drug-related.[36]

The number of serious crimes plateaued from 2002 to 2005, after which crime began decreasing at a rapid pace. In 2006 sheriff's deputies were brought in to help patrol the neighborhood.[37] The decrease has been credited to the redevelopment of the area, the increase in population, and the increased presence of the police and sheriff's deputies.[38] Operation Vortex and Ceasefire, a program that reaches out to gang members, were also credited with helping decrease crime.[39] In the summer of 2006 police assembled an élite sixty-man crimefighting squad code-named Vortex.[39] The Vortex unit made "zero tolerance" sweeps of high-crime areas, where they arrested people for misdemeanors, such as jaywalking and loitering, as well as for serious crimes.[39] In its first 25 days the unit made 1,000 arrests.[40] In the first six months of 2009, no calls for emergency help were made.[41] A business owner reported that pan handling and shoplifting in his store dropped 90 percent after he moved from the Central Business District to Over-the-Rhine.[41] Through July 29 of 2009 crime in Over-the-Rhine was down 22% when compared to the same period in 2008.[42]

In 2009 a website, using data collected from 2005 to 2007, ranked a section of Over-the-Rhine north of Liberty Street as, statistically, the "most dangerous neighborhood in the United States."[41][43][44] Critics, however, argue that the statistic is "intellectually dishonest"[45] because the data selected to represent Over-the-Rhine focused on a "mostly vacant industrialized strip,"[46] and the data used by the website was "old."[41][45] In July 2009 a rise in prostitution was reported along McMicken Avenue; police said that new development is pushing the women out of other parts of Over-the-Rhine into a smaller area.[47]

As of September 22, 2012, violent crime and property crime in Police District 1, in which Over-the-Rhine resides, had dropped 24% and 17% respectively when compared to 2010.[48]

Demographics

Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1900 44,475 —    
1960 30,000 −32.5%
1970 15,025 −49.9%
1980 11,914 −20.7%
1990 9,572 −19.7%
2000 7,422 −22.5%
2007* 4,970 −33.0%
2010 7,000 +40.8%
*2007 data from Cincinnati Drill Down;[49] 2010 data[50]

In 2001 there were an estimated 500 vacant buildings in Over-the-Rhine with 2,500 residential units.[51] Of those residential units 278 were condemned as uninhabitable.[51] Also in 2001 the owner-occupancy rate was between 3 and 4 percent compared to the city-wide rate of 39 percent.[51] According to the "Drilldown", a comprehensive analysis of the city's actual population and demographics conducted in 2007, OTR's current population was just 4,970 people.[52] As of the census[53] of 2000, the racial makeup of Over-the-Rhine was 19.4% White, 76.9% African American, and less than 4% of other races. 0.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The neighborhood's residents comprise roughly 1.2% of the population of the City of Cincinnati.

In media

  • In the movie Ides of March, George Clooney plays a politician who campaigns at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine.
  • In the movie Traffic (2000), the teenage daughter of the US drug czar becomes addicted to heroin and goes to Over-the-Rhine for drugs.[54]
  • Harry's Law (2011), an NBC legal comedy-drama, is set in Over-the-Rhine, though only old stock photos are shown. No filming was done in Over-the-Rhine or Cincinnati.[55]
  • Little Man Tate (1991) was filmed in Over-the-Rhine as well as various other Cincinnati locations.
  • A Rage in Harlem (1991) was filmed in Over-the-Rhine because the un-gentrified area resembled 1950s Harlem.[56]
  • In Eight Men Out (1988) scenes depicting Chicago in 1919 were shot in Over-the-Rhine.
  • Over-the-Rhine and other nearby neighborhoods are featured in the 3 Doors Down music video It's Not My Time.
  • In the seriocomic American novel A Deserted Place, by Keith Brabender, the artistic community in Over-the Rhine is featured and contrasted against the religious suburbs of Cincinnati..

List of annual events

Over-the-Rhine is home to several distinctive annual events. A few of them are:

List of landmarks

Most of Over-the-Rhine's landmarks are related to the arts and are clustered in one area near Downtown.

Map of Over-the-Rhine

List of historic churches

List of community organizations

  • Over-The-Rhine Chamber of Commerce
  • Over-the-Rhine Community Housing - Formed in April 2006 by the merger of two organizations supporting affordable housing.
  • Drop Inn Center a homeless shelter which offers chemical dependency treatment.[63]
  • Over-the-Rhine Foundation, works to protect OTR's endangered historic structures, preserve its cultural heritage, and promote a physically and socially sustainable neighborhood.
  • Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. works to develop the northern half of the neighorhood, with an emphasis on OTR's brewing heritage and the mixed-use neighborhood created by use of the nineteenth-century brewery building stock.
  • Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation A non-profit corporation redeveloping much of downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine.
  • Over the Rhine Community Council - Since 1970, the council has represented the interests of residents and partnered with other organizations in service to our neighbors in our unique, historic neighborhood.
  • Mercy Health - St. John began as St. John Social Service Center in 1936. Now the agency is a comprehensive social service agency providing: shelter for homeless families, emergency food, emergency financial assistance for rent, mortgage and utility, job training and computer instruction, case management, youth development and health care.
  • Our Daily Bread[64]

List of notable residents

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Over-the-Rhine Foundation. Guide to OTR Architecture. Accessed on 2009-08-13.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Quinlivan (2001)
  5. ↑ http://cincinnati.com/blogs/developingnow/2012/01/04/demolition-begins-in-over-the-rhine/
  6. ↑ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/travel-tips-and-articles/76941
  7. ↑ Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, Over-the-Rhine Historical Sites
  8. ↑ cincy.com "Over the Rhine :: Arts & Play", Cincy.com, Accessed on 2009-08-19
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Over-the-Rhine Foundation. OTR History. Accessed on June 13, 2009
  11. ↑ Kenny (1875), pg. 130.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Kenny (1875), pg. 129.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Cincinnati Over-the-Rhine | 3CDC | Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Market History | Findlay Market of Cincinnati, Ohio
  19. ↑ OTR Brewery District | Cincinnati, OH
  20. ↑ OTR Brewery District | Cincinnati, OH
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, OH - iRhine.com - Brewery District
  23. ↑ OTR Foundation Why OTR Matters. Accessed on 2010-08-13.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Over-the-Rhine Foundation. Historic Preservation. Accessed on 2009-08-13.
  25. ↑ iRhine.com, Over-the-Rhine History, Part 2. Accessed on 2009-08-13
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 National Trust for Historic Preservation, 11 Most Endangered: Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood. Accessed on June 13, 2009.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Quinlivan (2001) 27:58
  31. ↑ Quinlivan (2001) 28:30
  32. ↑ Quinlivan (2001) 12:10
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 City of Cincinnati. Motion. Accessed on 2009-08-08.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 City of Cincinnati. District One 4th Quarter Problem Solving Report 2006. Accessed on 2009-08-08.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  42. ↑ Cincinnati Police, Crime-Arrest Comparison, Accessed on 2009-08-08.
  43. ↑ Walletpop, Most Dangerous Neighborhoods, Accessed on 2009-06-22.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ http://www.uc.edu/cdc/urban_database/citywide_regional/cinti_drilldown_report.pdf
  50. ↑ http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20110403/NEWS01/104030305/A-different-struggle
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Bridging the Economic Divide: Cincinnati's Crisis Presents New Opportunities. Fall 2001. Retrieved on 2009-01-11
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Over-the-Rhine Film Synopsis
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Art The Academy of Cincinnati. About The Art Academy of Cincinnati. Accessed on 2009-08-23.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ Findlay Market. About Findlay Market. Accessed on 2009-08-23.
  61. ↑ Findlay Market-Historic renovated Cincinnati Public Market and Farmers Market Corporation for Findlay Market, 2007. Accessed 27 May 2007.
  62. ↑ School for Creative and Performing Arts. The New SCPA. Accessed on 2009-08-23.
  63. ↑ Over the Rhine Community Housing — About Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, Accessed 27 May 2007
  64. ↑ http://ourdailybread.us
  65. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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