Last week we went on the Queen City Underground Tour. We explored a section of the Vine Street area, focusing on what the area was like during the nineteenth century. During this time period, the Over-the-Rhine population – which was 30,000 to 40,000 people – consisted primarily of German immigrants. This German presence created a strong German culture and an appreciation for beer. In fact, Cincinnati was “the third or fourth biggest brewing center in the country” (A Quick History of Cincinnati Brewing). Most of the residents of the area were employed directly by a brewery or were employed by a company that indirectly was supported by the brewing industry. Approximately130 bars lined this short section of Vine Street. Other local establishments were beer gardens and theaters. During our tour, we had the chance to go inside one of these beer gardens – The Cosmopolitan. According to our tour guide, entire families – children included – would come to beer gardens such as The Cosmopolitan to eat food, drink beer, and enjoy live entertainment. I was shocked to learn that children drank beer during this time period. However, the water was so unsanitary that beer was actually a healthier choice; many people would go their entire lives without drinking water (American Legacy Tour Guide). We also visited an underground brewery tunnel where one of the local breweries stored its beer. It was incredible to venture beneath the city and witness this part of Cincinnati’s history. I was also amazed by how technologically advanced the tunnel system seemed.
Because the area relied so heavily on the brewing industry, the area suffered severely during WWII and during Prohibition. Breweries and beer was banished during WWII because of the connection to Germany. As a result, many of
the local breweries were forced to close. Even after the war and Prohibition ended, the demand for beer in the area had dwindled greatly. Many small breweries were not successful in their attempts to reopen. However, some of these breweries – such as Christian Morelein – have made a very recent resurgence (American Legacy Tour Guide).
I think that uncovering the historical context of the Over-the-Rhine area is essential for understanding the current state of the area. In order to fully understand the current community, we must understand its background and how the community has changed over time. It is obvious that the area has undergone major changes since the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. The tour guide mentioned that 3CDC is currently engaged in the effort to revitalize the Over-the-Rhine area. This effort includes the movement to develop new businesses, create new housing units, and attract consumers to the area. Because the work of 3CDC has been extremely controversial, it was interested to see how supportive the tour guide was of these efforts.
Works Cited:
"A Quick History of Cincinnati Brewing." Fox 19. WorldNow, n.d. Web. 04 November 2012. <http://www.fox19.com/story/
8223485/a-quick-history-of-cincinnati-brewing>.
Because the area relied so heavily on the brewing industry, the area suffered severely during WWII and during Prohibition. Breweries and beer was banished during WWII because of the connection to Germany. As a result, many of
the local breweries were forced to close. Even after the war and Prohibition ended, the demand for beer in the area had dwindled greatly. Many small breweries were not successful in their attempts to reopen. However, some of these breweries – such as Christian Morelein – have made a very recent resurgence (American Legacy Tour Guide).
I think that uncovering the historical context of the Over-the-Rhine area is essential for understanding the current state of the area. In order to fully understand the current community, we must understand its background and how the community has changed over time. It is obvious that the area has undergone major changes since the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. The tour guide mentioned that 3CDC is currently engaged in the effort to revitalize the Over-the-Rhine area. This effort includes the movement to develop new businesses, create new housing units, and attract consumers to the area. Because the work of 3CDC has been extremely controversial, it was interested to see how supportive the tour guide was of these efforts.
Works Cited:
"A Quick History of Cincinnati Brewing." Fox 19. WorldNow, n.d. Web. 04 November 2012. <http://www.fox19.com/story/
8223485/a-quick-history-of-cincinnati-brewing>.