Posted January 2, 200619 yr Cincinnati is sometimes called the "city of the seven hills", although no one can exactly name them! ;) But there are many hills (actually the city is in a geologically formed basin carved out of the plain, leaving these 'hills'. But as a result and in an attempt to navigate these the early residents built a series of wooden steps that were over time replaced by concrete. Many are still used today by the folks who live on top of and on these hills to move up and down from street to street, down to the basin and back again. They offer unique vistas (and exercise!) but these few photos just show a very few of the over 400 sets of steps or stairs that exist all around the surrounding hills. Some are abandoned, some very long, others just a few steps, but most are still maintained by the city. I won't give you the exact locations, but if you are a local you can the approximate location by the file name where I used the closest street name. I hope you enjoy....
January 3, 200619 yr Wonderful! Yeah, the steps are one of the very cool things about Cincinnati... Say, aren't the Elsinore steps technically closed? Were we breaking the law?
January 3, 200619 yr Whew, that's a lot of steps (I'm worn out just looking at them). Cool pics, especially that little house 4th from the bottom, but it must be a b*tch moving in or out of there, and groceries can't be fun either. Thanks for the pics and unique subject.
January 3, 200619 yr Thanks for the photos. I recognize about half of them. It's interesting to note that there are houses in Cincinnati that only have access from such steps. BTW, Cincinnati, "the City of Seven Hills," is a copy of Rome, where there really are seven hills. But just for fun, I will list a few community names off the top of my head: The Mounts: Mount Auburn Mount Adams Mount Healthy Mount Lookout Mount Airy Mount Nebo Mount Washington The Hills: Price Hill Indian Hill College Hill North College Hill Crescent Hills Villa Hills Western Hills The Heights: Kennedy Heights Fairview Heights Monfort Heights Lincoln Heights And there are more but that's all I can think of for now.
January 3, 200619 yr I've always wanted to do that...take the "Walking the Steps of Cincinnati" book and photograph all of the public steps. Cool thread.
January 3, 200619 yr well Riverview, I can plead ignorance on those Elsinore steps because I didn't see the sign below until I reached the TOP. Of course, the leaves and the log across the steps may have been a clue. :wink: Many of these steps were redone in 1988 by the city. The crew that did this apparently discovered the marks or names of the previous workers left in the concrete and so decided to leave their own, which I have below also. (It says in the star: "City Steps Brothers 1988") They left this 'signature' in about 5 places before their supervisor told 'em to cut it out. Too bad I think.... BTW, there is a book written in the 1998 by Mary Anna DuSabion, called "Walking the Steps of Cincinnati". It's in the library. She did a ton of research and actually wallked each of the 400 sets of steps multiple times in writing this 'travel guide'. There are very few pictures, just tour "maps" to follow and some descriptions as to what to look for. I think I have lost about 10 pounds over the last couple of months prowling around these things.
January 3, 200619 yr Great thread! A while back I thought the city steps might make an interesting set of photos and I'm glad to see you put in the hard work. Thanks!
January 3, 200619 yr I thought I was the only step nerd out there. Cincinnati wouldn't be one of the fattest cities in the country if people would just get out and walk. Nice pictures!!
January 3, 200619 yr the steps are interesting to me because they are a part of Cincy history that are essentially unaltered (although repaired) and still used as originally intended. before cars, these steps, along with the cable cars and other trolleys, were the way those folks moved around. can you imagine folks on those hills lugging their groceries back up those steps from Findlay market for example? thx for the kind comments
January 3, 200619 yr Eigth & State, don't forget Mt. Storm. OTRFan, just a heads up, we don't mind linking a photo here or there to Urban Ohio but anything more than one or two photos should be hot linked off of another host. This helps keep the cost (FREE) down for the rest of the forumers. This is just some friendly advice, you can keep your current photos up but next time link them off another site. If you are looking for a decent photo host, I use http://www.pbase.com.
January 3, 200619 yr ^And if you want to be cheap, like myself, you can get a free account at photobucket.com. I like it well enough not to cough up any money.
January 3, 200619 yr I started keeping track of the number of steps on each of the stairways...unfortunately, I stopped not long after starting...but here's my list so far: Art Museum Steps: 91 Court Street Steps: 54 Monestery Street Steps: 123 Monestery Extension: 53 Oregon Street Steps: 104 Playhouse in the Park Steps: 48
January 3, 200619 yr For the true step-junkie, there is an abandoned set on the west side of Vine St. going up the hill from OTR/Mt. Auburn to Clifton Heights. I'm guessing it terminates on Ohio Avenue, and I'm guessing the residents of Ohio Avenue were happy to see them fall into disrepair. Note, these are not the same steps that connect the upper and lower portions of Ohio Avenue, which are still maintained.
January 3, 200619 yr There is a nice book called "The Steps of Pittsburgh" on all of Pittsburgh steps. A good read.
January 3, 200619 yr I counted the steps on Onio1 as 68 but with all the landings, it is, of course, more. I go up & down those *%&%$ every day. Did you get the steps off Mcmicken just south of McMillan that go up to Fairview park ? I like the signature.
January 3, 200619 yr There are abandoned, or at least little-used, steps all over the place, if you can find them. The city has a list of about 400 sets of steps, not counting those in parks, that they maintain, or are supposed to maintain, but I'm sure there are others not on the list. In addition there must be countless steps in other jurisdictions, or on private property within the city. I found a set recently near Mt. Lookout Square. Sorry I don't have a photo of it. The steps themselves are of stone, are poorly maintained, and lead between two houses to the backyard of another house, which also has access on another street. There is an old handrail. The ownership is ambiguous. Does it belong to the house that it leads to? The city? I couldn't find it on the city list. Here is the list of steps, in pdf file, from the City of Cincinnati. Some of the steps on the list are closed. http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/transeng/downloads/transeng_pdf9936.pdf
January 4, 200619 yr can you imagine folks on those hills lugging their groceries back up those steps from Findlay market for example? 8-) I can because I do every weekend! I use the ohio ave steps that run from E clifton down to mcmicken and then walk Mulberry st or peete back home. I saw the pic of the elsinore steps and they are reopened now. We almost lost the highland/reading steps but got the city to repair using a cheaper test "cement"? I use those to catch the #4 bus route or then to walk to the elsinore steps to go up to the art museum and mt adams. Every election I walk the young st steps from the bottom all the way up to Filsons overlook up to Gods bible college to vote. These sets of stairs are very important transportation routes for me and are a healthy and fun subsitute to the automobile.
January 9, 200619 yr a few more cincy steps - the good, the bad and the ugly.... on Vine, near Polk, west side vine and clifton liberty hill, near Pendleton House milton st. liberty hill milton st. liberty hill baymiller dead ends into central pkwy baymiller dead ends into central pkwy inwood park, vine st. mt. adams (prayer steps) Hiram Steps, liberty hill near playhouse in the park behind playhouse in the park near playhouse in the park crossing I-71, court st. over columbia pkwy (this sidewalk I think goes all the way to near Lytle Park) Broadway dead into Liberty near art museum parking lot
January 9, 200619 yr That's fantastic...thank you! Say, any chance you can label them? I recognize some of them, and a few have signs, but some I don't know...
January 9, 200619 yr all those steps and you'd think cincinnati would be a "fit" city in the Men's Health article ;)
January 9, 200619 yr I agree.... I have recently thought that the "flying pig" marathon people (or similar minded folks) would have a field day with an event featuring some of these. I think it would draw lots of attention.
January 9, 200619 yr Grasscat & I was in the Brighton/Mohawk area of Over-the-Rhine yesterday and stumbled upon many steps. I thought of you when I saw them...
January 9, 200619 yr kewl.. well I'm done with the steps, there are literally hundreds more in many other places but I'm only really interested in those in and near to OTR. They were a new discovery to me and a great way to learn more about this fascinating area. I've lost all the weight I'm going to on those anyway! on to new stuff....
January 9, 200619 yr The unlabeled shot with the Brighton street sign is alongside the Mockbee going from Central Parkway up to to McMicken. It used to be hidden under high brush & weeds.
January 9, 200619 yr Wow - thanks for labelling them! Ask and ye shall receive! well I'm done with the steps, there are literally hundreds more in many other places but I'm only really interested in those in and near to OTR. Well, as you come across them in further treks, I know I'd love to see new discoveries added to these sets...oh, and let me toss in a few as well: The steps between the Art Museum and the Elsinore Towers - this was closed, but I broke the law: Then these three are from the set between Elsinore and the end of Ida where that huge tree with the branches leaning on the ground is - also closed down, and for obvious reasons: And finally, these steps are behind the WW I Memorial in Eden Park, and connect the lower overlook to the upper overlook:
January 10, 200619 yr Great encore!! You've come so far, why turn back now? Here's a few to add to your collection: McMicken–W.Clifton Vine–Mulberry Boal-Pueblo
January 10, 200619 yr ^Also, I think there's one between Ravine–Klotter (near the Cityview Pl) and the one I mentioned before between Vine–Ohio just south of Hollister.
January 10, 200619 yr "I have recently thought that the "flying pig" marathon people (or similar minded folks) would have a field day with an event featuring some of these." Serious runners normally don't do steps. You can't pass people easily, a normal running pace does not match the step spacing, etc. The steps are too narrow for any amount of people, and there's always a falling hazard. On the other hand, there used to be a Cincinnati hill climb series: Straight Street, Monastery, Grand, Colerain, etc: all steep uphill races.
January 10, 200619 yr yeah - step races probably wouldn't work :-D but while most steps are very utilitarian, some really are attractive and lead to interesting vistas. It just seems like they are a bit of a hidden assest that could be exploited.. (c'mon city council, rebuild an incline) whaddaIknow? Here are just a few more pix for those that asked.... I love the steps that have their own little "on ramps", how cool is that? These are the Young St. steps I think, on Liberty Hill I believe that the Main St. steps may have the most steps (former site of the Mt. Auburn Incline), but these must nearly qualify as the fewest... also in Liberty Hill. If you climb those steps found earlier labeled as Vine and Clifton, they take you to a pretty nasty dead end of Peete St. just to the left you see another step set. which are these gritty risers that take you to Mulberry. some steps, like these on the lower end of Monastary St., lead to an imagined past. Lots of old foundation rubble if you look down there some day.. other steps lead to street or alleys long since grown over, like these heading up to "Edinburgh", what is interesting is that the street sign is still there Mt. Adams is apparently quite proud of their many beautiful, and beautifully kept, steps Cincinnati steps, at least those near the basin, OTR, Mt. Adams & Mt. Auburn, can be gritty, elegant, long, short, well maintained, abandoned, concrete or stone. Most are quite functional and practical. IMHO they add great character to the city, are a quiet assest and should probably enjoy a little more use and attention.
August 13, 200618 yr Dunno if this is the right thread to post this but what the heck Hillside steps divide neighbors BY DAN KLEPAL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER EAST WALNUT HILLS - Cincinnati's 400 sets of hillside steps were built generations ago to link neighborhoods separated by steep terrain, and to bring people together. But one set of steps, a 300-yard walkway up a steep hillside from William H. Taft Road to an upscale street off Madison Road called Keys Crescent, has gripped this neighborhood in an argument over whether they should be closed. At the top of the hill, several Keys Crescent residents petitioned the city to close the steps last fall, saying they are rarely used, are in a state of disrepair and are responsible for increased crime involving the nine residences on the street. That led to dozens of residents at the bottom of the hill - people who use the steps to get to school, stores, bus stops or for simple exercise - to respond with an impassioned effort to keep the steps open. Folks on both ends of the steps accuse the others of misrepresenting facts. City council will decide the issue next month, when it returns from summer recess and the Vibrant Neighborhoods Committee takes up the issue. Most council members say they are willing to work out a compromise that would close the steps temporarily for repairs. The repairs would include cutting back brush and adding more lights. "We were told our crime was non-existent. It's them calling us a liar," Michael Kelley, one of the leaders of the effort to close the steps, said of the group arguing to keep them open. "I'm not willing to call them the same. "I'm not angry. I'm not upset. But I do know we are experiencing a lot of crime. We didn't try to make this a popularity contest. We stood alone as a neighborhood. We didn't try to stuff the ballot box." In the past year, there have been several break-ins, burglaries and incidents of vandalism on the gaslight street. On Nov. 27, Kelley filed with the city a petition with 18 signatures asking that the steps be closed. That triggered a process during which the Transportation and Engineering Department sent mailings to all residents within a quarter-mile, posted a sign at the base of the steps soliciting opinions, asked for input from community councils and other city departments and talked to area businesses. People in favor of keeping the steps open responded in droves - e-mailing city council members, creating a mailing list and establishing a Web site (www.savethesteps.com) to further the cause. Folks like Doug Davis have been using the steps for years. His grown daughter, Laura, built forts in the woods on either side of the steps in the late 1970s. He still walks them every day. "These steps are a park with a purpose," Davis said. "But there's a lot of money up on that street." Residents in favor of keeping the steps accuse the people on Keys Crescent of trying to use their money and influence to have them closed. Some city council members met privately with those residents, and Police Chief Tom Streicher recommended closing the steps after meeting with them. Streicher's recommendation came despite officers in District 2 telling the Department of Transportation they could find no reason to close the steps. After its investigation, the city's Transportation and Engineering Department also recommended keeping the steps open. Martin Rahe, a Keys Crescent resident, said thieves have broken into his home three times in the past year. He found one thief removing items from his car in an enclosed courtyard at 4 p.m. "It's time we take charge of our neighborhoods," Rahe said, adding that his wife doesn't stay in the house alone when he travels on business. "We live in fear. It's sinful not to protect people who live in your city." Gerald Burns thinks that's hogwash. The 81-year-old man has been walking the steps since 1960, and has restored 11 homes in the neighborhood's historic district. He said the people on Keys Crescent are surrounded by poorer neighbors, and there are many access points to the street. "I hope to use them until I can't use steps anymore," Burns said of the steps. "If crime is the problem, have police detailed there." Council member Jim Tarbell said he originally agreed to vote in favor of closing the steps, after a private meeting with residents on Keys Crescent. He changed his mind after a public hearing last week, during which dozens of other people spoke in favor of keeping the steps open. "Symbolically, what this issue represents in terms of the future of our city is quite significant," Tarbell said. "This is the way our city was laid out. And here is an outpouring of people that want to honor our heritage and interconnectedness of our neighborhoods." E-mail [email protected] http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060813/NEWS01/608130370/1077/NEWS01
August 13, 200618 yr Grasscat posted some earlier articles on this in the Random Cincinnati Developments thread: First mention, in the East Walnut Hills section of the city round-up; Responses here, here and here, and an update to the story here. But yeah, this probably deserves its own thread now...anyone out there able to combine this stuff? I guess the Grasscat stuff is mid-post, so it's not just moving posts, but at least the relevant posts are linked in one place now!
August 26, 200618 yr These photos are awesome! Thanks for someone naming the mounts, hills, etc.; excellent data! Does anyone have old photos or post cards showing the differing mounts/hills in one shot? I realize this sounds rediculous, but often one can find a arial-type example of where they would be. I've often wondered this myself, just this past week. Interesting data - a treasure! Shirley Haas
August 26, 200618 yr Thanks for the photos. I recognize about half of them. It's interesting to note that there are houses in Cincinnati that only have access from such steps. BTW, Cincinnati, "the City of Seven Hills," is a copy of Rome, where there really are seven hills. But just for fun, I will list a few community names off the top of my head: The Mounts: Mount Auburn Mount Adams Mount Healthy Mount Lookout Mount Airy Mount Nebo Mount Washington The Hills: Price Hill Indian Hill College Hill North College Hill Crescent Hills Villa Hills Western Hills The Heights: Kennedy Heights Fairview Heights Monfort Heights Lincoln Heights And there are more but that's all I can think of for now. Not that this really qualifies, but I grew up in Parkview Heights, which is near Finneytown - east of College Hill on N. Bend Road. A realtively "new" community built in the 1940s. Went to Finneytown Grade School in 1945. shirley haas
September 8, 200618 yr I figured this was the most relevant area for this news. Council votes to close steps CINCINNATI ENQUIRER September 8, 2006 EAST WALNUT HILLS - The Collins Avenue steps will be closed after all. A majority of Cincinnati City Council voted Thursday to close a 300-yard set of hillside steps, leading from William Howard Taft Road to an upscale street off Madison Road called Keys Crescent in East Walnut Hills. The steps have been a source of controversy, with some of the residents atop the hill saying it contributes to crime, and the residents at the bottom saying law-abiding citizens use the steps to get to school, shops and bus stops. Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz sponsored an ordinance that ordered the steps closed for five years. A crime analysis will be performed after that to see if the steps contribute to crime. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060908/NEWS01/609080409/1056
September 8, 200618 yr WTF? Close them for five years, then analyze crime? What? So Leslie, if crime goes up on Keys Crescent, then you'll re-open the steps? What a bone-headed, dumb-ass move. Christ, this is disgusting.
September 8, 200618 yr I am guessing the crime is being perpetrated by a small group of young people who will gradually move on. If the steps contributed to crime the crime would have started to escalate 80 years ago when they were built. yeah this is stupid
September 8, 200618 yr I wonder how the votes fell. The real concern apparently is that the guy at the top of the steps uses part of the right of way as his driveway, and he doesn't like people walking there.
September 8, 200618 yr Personally, if this is what it takes to keep middle and upper class residents in the city more power to them. Whether it's only perception or not, if this is what it takes to keep these residents in this neighborhood so be it.
September 8, 200618 yr Personally, if this is what it takes to keep middle and upper class residents in the city more power to them. Whether it's only perception or not, if this is what it takes to keep these residents in this neighborhood so be it. Ironically, statements like that began city failure. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 8, 200618 yr The real concern apparently is that the guy at the top of the steps uses part of the right of way as his driveway, and he doesn't like people walking there. Apparently there is a driveway at the bottom that is on city property as well. The pathway is also used by utility crews. Even if the daggone steps are closed and removed there is still a path. In the meeting the Keys Crescent residents indicated they would leave town if he steps were not closed.
September 8, 200618 yr Personally, if this is what it takes to keep middle and upper class residents in the city more power to them. Whether it's only perception or not, if this is what it takes to keep these residents in this neighborhood so be it. What middle and upper class residents want - and, I might add, what poorer residents want as well - are safe neighborhoods. Closing off the steps will, guaranteed, do nothing to make the neighborhood more safe. Any petty criminals in the neighborhood ain't coming from the $500K+ homes on the lower section of William Howard Taft, or the new riverfront development on Eastern - they're coming from Evanston and Walnut Hills and East Walnut Hills. Any non-petty criminals ain't gonna be walking. This cuts off a community asset for the sake of what, exactly? Lower crime? Not a chance. A perception of possible extra security for a handful of residents (who all chose to live there with the steps installed), weighed against the reality of a less-rich neighborhood for thousands of families? I'm sorry, I don't see that as a wise choice.
September 8, 200618 yr In the meeting the Keys Crescent residents indicated they would leave town if he steps were not closed. That's just insane. All of a sudden, you're going to move away from your home because of a situation that's obtained for 80 years. Yeah, right, I call bullshit.
September 8, 200618 yr For Cincinnati's sake, they need to leave (hell, the city is still losing people; might as well lose some assholes, no?). "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 8, 200618 yr It just seems like another NIMBY case, the city is getting desperate so they are beginning to give in to these individualistic demands more often (IMO, the reason of failure/downturn of the city). We must think about the greater good and forget about this NIMBYism! In the meeting the Keys Crescent residents indicated they would leave town if he steps were not closed. I would say good bye and good luck trying to sell your home in this housing market! I guess they all must have money to burn over some damn steps. Save the Steps!!!
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