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Lost Series
Lost Cincinnati
Cincinnati earned its nickname of “Queen City of the West” with a wealth of fine theaters and hotels, a burgeoning brewery district and the birth of professional baseball. Though many of these treasures have vanished, they left an indelible mark on the city. Revisit the favorite locales from old Coney Island to Crosley Field. Celebrate lost gems, such as the palatial Albee Theater and the historic Burnet House, where Generals Grant and Sherman plotted the end of the Civil War. Along the way, author Jeff Suess uncovers some uniquely Cincinnati quirks from the inclines and the canal to the infamous incomplete subway. Join Suess as he delves into the mystery and legacy of Cincinnati’s lost landmarks.
189 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 21, 2018
Cincinnati hasn't been lost as the title seems to implies. Parts of it have been lost to history but the city is still pretty much here. Either that spent some years in a place that no longer exists. Or did it ever exist and did I just dream it did?
Anyhow, this book deals with a lot of interesting things about Cincinnati. It goes into the early history of Cincinnati and then discusses very specific structures such as the Pike Opera House. Which burned down, was rebuilt and then burned down. Actually a lot of places in the early city burned down. It's uprising there was any Cincinnati left.
The Hamilton County Courthouse, for example, went through a number of destruction including one involving mob violence and a Gatling gun turned on the mob. Some fifty people died.
A Chamber of Commerce building? Again, burned down and rebuilt.
Then there's the Miami and Eric canal which was useful very early on but later became useless and was done away with.
There's the Cincinnati inclines which, like many other places, found their usefulness at and end and were torn down. (At least they didn't burn down.)
There's what is left of the Cincinnati Subway, a system that would have linked a number of parts of the city together except that it never got finished and now is closed except for special tours (and those who sneak in. There's a really good You Tube video on that.)
Union Terminal, thankfully, still exists and has been re-purposed. The Albee Theater was a very beautiful theater but Cincinnati politicians had there way and that theater joined the destroyed.
There was the burlesque place the Gaiety which was destroyed primarily became the Cincinnati police were very anti-sex and wanted the place gone. (There was once a lingerie show at a department store and the police were there to make sure nothing 'untoward' was shown.)
Crosley Field was torn down and the Reds were relocated to a new stadium near the Ohio river. Coney Island is discussed as is the racism involved in baring Blacks from going there until 1955.
One of the major disappointing things about the lost part of Cincinnati is that some places were on the National Historic Register but local politicians didn't care and torn them down anyway.
Anyhow, this book deals with a lot of interesting things about Cincinnati. It goes into the early history of Cincinnati and then discusses very specific structures such as the Pike Opera House. Which burned down, was rebuilt and then burned down. Actually a lot of places in the early city burned down. It's uprising there was any Cincinnati left.
The Hamilton County Courthouse, for example, went through a number of destruction including one involving mob violence and a Gatling gun turned on the mob. Some fifty people died.
A Chamber of Commerce building? Again, burned down and rebuilt.
Then there's the Miami and Eric canal which was useful very early on but later became useless and was done away with.
There's the Cincinnati inclines which, like many other places, found their usefulness at and end and were torn down. (At least they didn't burn down.)
There's what is left of the Cincinnati Subway, a system that would have linked a number of parts of the city together except that it never got finished and now is closed except for special tours (and those who sneak in. There's a really good You Tube video on that.)
Union Terminal, thankfully, still exists and has been re-purposed. The Albee Theater was a very beautiful theater but Cincinnati politicians had there way and that theater joined the destroyed.
There was the burlesque place the Gaiety which was destroyed primarily became the Cincinnati police were very anti-sex and wanted the place gone. (There was once a lingerie show at a department store and the police were there to make sure nothing 'untoward' was shown.)
Crosley Field was torn down and the Reds were relocated to a new stadium near the Ohio river. Coney Island is discussed as is the racism involved in baring Blacks from going there until 1955.
One of the major disappointing things about the lost part of Cincinnati is that some places were on the National Historic Register but local politicians didn't care and torn them down anyway.
May 9, 2018
Wee coffee table book? Collection of articles on Cincinnati history? Probably both. The story behind the lost subway, as you’d expect, but also the tale of street renaming due to anti-German hysteria, the story behind Peeble’s Corners (a hilarious triumph of capitalism) and dozens of buildings and people whose names still haunt the Queen City today.
February 14, 2022
An interesting book for those who are into local history. When you notice that some of the sites listed I can actually remember then you have to admit that you are getting older.
February 15, 2023
Pretty good 4 stars
Read
February 24, 2023Fun and quick read for anyone who grew up in the Cincinnati area.
November 30, 2015
Very interesting!
This book covers Tragedy, Transportation, Entertainment, Business, and Living.
A few super interesting tidbits:
On May 24, 1935, Crosley Field was the site of the first night game in major-league history. President Franklin D. Roosevelt flipped a switch in the White House that turned on 632 lamps atop eight metal light towers surrounding Crosley Field. It would actually take several years for the experiment of night baseball to catch on. Now, think about when most games are played today!
A number of factors contributed to the closing of Coney Island. In the end two "organizations" came together in a venture to build a new park in Warren County -- 1,200 acres were purchased, about twenty-five miles northeast of Cincinnati, along I-71 for $3.2 million (late 60's). The new $20 million dollar park, originally called "new Coney" in early news reports, opened in 1972. The name Kings Island was chosen to reflect Kings Mills (its new location) and to honor its predecessor.
This book covers Tragedy, Transportation, Entertainment, Business, and Living.
A few super interesting tidbits:
On May 24, 1935, Crosley Field was the site of the first night game in major-league history. President Franklin D. Roosevelt flipped a switch in the White House that turned on 632 lamps atop eight metal light towers surrounding Crosley Field. It would actually take several years for the experiment of night baseball to catch on. Now, think about when most games are played today!
A number of factors contributed to the closing of Coney Island. In the end two "organizations" came together in a venture to build a new park in Warren County -- 1,200 acres were purchased, about twenty-five miles northeast of Cincinnati, along I-71 for $3.2 million (late 60's). The new $20 million dollar park, originally called "new Coney" in early news reports, opened in 1972. The name Kings Island was chosen to reflect Kings Mills (its new location) and to honor its predecessor.
June 29, 2020
The history of Cincinnati is revealed through the places of its past. Articles are short and divided into themed sections (i.e. Tragedy, Transportation, Entertainment, Business and Living). Historical photos are included throughout making this a book that can be read cover to cover or skimmed for items of most interest to the reader.
This book is an excellent read for a transplant to the city or someone whose family has called Cincinnati home for generations. History buffs will enjoy this too, even if they've never visited. Overall, an armchair tour of one city's history that is well worth the journey.
This book is an excellent read for a transplant to the city or someone whose family has called Cincinnati home for generations. History buffs will enjoy this too, even if they've never visited. Overall, an armchair tour of one city's history that is well worth the journey.
March 10, 2016
I might have rated this book higher if I actually lived in Cincinnati. It has nothing to do with an individual being lost, rather it's about historic buildings that have disappeared over the years. Jeff Suess is the librarian for the Cincinnati Enquirer, which gives him a lot of good access to files and photos to write a book like this. It's something that could be written about any U.S. city -- especially where there's still a daily newsppaer that has a libary. The book is very straight-forward and few buildings or areas are more than a page and a half.
July 3, 2016
I stumbled on this book while looking for information about Cincinnati's unfinished subway. I started the book from the beginning, not sure where the subway would be covered. Ultimately, there isn't a big section about the subway, but this book reads like a novel with rich descriptions of Cincinnati's past. It made me long to be able to go back in time and see some of the treasures that are long gone. Highly recommend this book to any Cincinnatian, or those interested in history of the city.
September 26, 2015
If one has interest in the History of Cincinnati, Ohio this book is one to check out. It is easy to read and flows well.
Many landmark buildings of the city have come and gone. Unique and popular in their time, this book reveals the reasons they are no longer a part of the city. A new student of Cincinnati/Ohio history would find this book informative.
Many landmark buildings of the city have come and gone. Unique and popular in their time, this book reveals the reasons they are no longer a part of the city. A new student of Cincinnati/Ohio history would find this book informative.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews