College Hill, Cincinnati: A History of Education, Community, and Change
College Hill, a Cincinnati neighborhood with a rich history, stands as a testament to the evolution of community, education, and social dynamics in the region. Originally known as Pleasant Hill, its transformation into College Hill reflects its historical significance as a center for education in the mid-19th century. This article explores the multifaceted history of College Hill, delving into its educational roots, architectural character, and the development of neighboring West College Hill as a distinct, yet interconnected, community.
The Educational Heritage of College Hill
College Hill earned its name from the presence of two prominent colleges in the mid-1800s: Farmers College and Ohio Female College. The neighborhood had a succession of educational institutions of all kinds, including several schools established on the property of the community's founder, William Cary.
The origins of College Hill's educational legacy can be traced back to 1832 when Freeman Cary established Cary's Academy for Boys in his home on Hamilton Avenue. The academy's success led to the construction of Pleasant Hill Academy in 1833, located at the corner of Hamilton and Colerain (now Belmont) Avenues.
In 1846, Pleasant Hill Academy transitioned into Farmers College, an agricultural school. Farmers College was chartered on February 23, 1846, and Cary Hall was built on this Belmont Avenue site in 1847. Future President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, attended the college from 1848 to 1850. The name change from Pleasant Hill to College Hill occurred during the 1849-50 school year, solidifying the neighborhood's identity as an academic hub.
However, the Civil War brought challenges to Farmers College, as many students enlisted in the Union Army, leading to a decline in enrollment. Despite these setbacks, Farmers College continued to operate until 1885 when it became Belmont College, adopting a co-educational model. In 1890, the institution transitioned again, becoming the Ohio Military Institute, which provided young men with a college preparatory education along with military instruction.
Read also: Comprehensive Ranking: Women's College Basketball
The Ohio Military Institute faced increasing maintenance costs and tuition limitations, ultimately leading to its closure in 1958. The 47-acre campus was then sold to the Cincinnati Board of Education, and Aiken High School was built on part of the property, opening in 1962.
Architectural Diversity and Community Character
College Hill prides itself on the diversity of its citizens and its residential architecture. The neighborhood is home to several historic buildings, including College Hill Town Hall and the Old College Hill Post Office. The neighborhood boasts a wide variety of architectural styles, including Victorian Vernacular, Arts and Crafts, Colonial, and Tudor, with a small collection of large Queen Anne Victorian houses and Italian Renaissance homes. Most of the homes in the area were constructed between 1890 and 1930.
The broad, tree-lined streets of College Hill contribute to its stately air. As one of Cincinnati's 52 neighborhoods, College Hill was established in 1813 and annexed to the city in stages between 1911 and 1923.
West College Hill: A Distinct Community with Shared History
West College Hill, an unincorporated community within Springfield Township, is geographically situated between College Hill and North College Hill. Bounded by North Bend Rd., Betts Ave., and Northern Ave., with Eiler Ln. serving as its boundary with Golfway, West College Hill has a unique history shaped by the development of housing for African American residents.
In 1888, a small group of Baptist settlers began meeting in the rented basement of the Belmont Flats on Hamilton Ave. in College Hill. Construction of their new church, St. Paul Baptist Church, started in 1890, on what is now Betts Ave. in West College Hill. Charles M. Steele, the first mayor of Hartwell and a real estate investor, developed a subdivision in West College Hill for African American residents, selling the first lots in 1891. In 1907, he opened an adjacent Black-only subdivision.
Read also: Phoenix Suns' New Center
Melvina and Charles Middleton are believed to have purchased the first lot in the Steele subdivision, building a small shotgun house for their family. Soon after, Melvina’s sister and her husband purchased two adjacent lots for $100, reflecting a pattern of extended Black families clustering in close proximity. Some families purchased the small, inexpensive lots outright, while others used a down payment followed by monthly installments. Most families built their homes themselves, or with the help of relatives or friends, though some used contractors or carpenters.
Challenges and Development in West College Hill
In 1925, Cincinnati became the first city in the US to have a comprehensive plan approved by its City Council. The Official Plan of the City of Cincinnati mentioned several problems with previously subdivided plats, including lots being too narrow or shallow “for fire protection, privacy, sunlight and space for gardening or play.” Though this criticism didn’t name West College Hill or similar communities, it doubtless applied to the small plats of this subdivision. Many of the lots in West College Hill are only 25 feet wide. Contrary to the Plan’s assessment, residents kept livestock and tended to their own vegetable gardens. Water came from wells or cisterns.
The first school in West College Hill, a one-room schoolhouse, had been built in 1904. Although the community had no formal governmental structure of its own, a group of resident volunteers organized to respond to fires and medical needs. As there were virtually no land use regulations in Hamilton County, some of the rapidly developing Black-populated suburbs lacked paved roads, sewage, water, and electricity. The homes were modest and sometimes located on poorly developed lots.
In the Better Housing League report of 1928, Bleecker Marquette said, “We find developing just outside the corporation lines potential slums which will eventually contain all of the bad conditions we are fighting against now.” BHL’s Standish Meacham called them “bad spots,” while Clifford M. By 1930, 67% of Cincinnati’s Black population, more than 30,000 residents, lived in the West End. Most were tenants, and they rented much of the cheapest housing available. The median value of Black owner-occupied housing in 1930 was just under $4,500.
Meanwhile, however, homeownership was relatively high in the primarily Black-populated suburban subdivisions of West College Hill, Kennedy Heights, Wyoming, Lincoln Heights, Woodlawn, and Hazelwood. By 1940, 77% of West College Hill residents were homeowners. In 1966, the neighborhood was home to 285 families.
Read also: About Grossmont Community College
Demographic and Economic Snapshot
The 1970 US Census provides a snapshot of West College Hill and its surrounding communities. The neighborhood was 95.5% Black, compared to 11.2% in College Hill and .4% in North College Hill. The city’s Black population was 27.6% at the time. Mean family income in West College Hill was $6,749, $13,030 in College Hill and $11,446 in North College Hill. The city’s mean was $10,435.
Recent Developments and Community Initiatives
This same plan calls for developing a “detailed plan and cooperation agreement with Habitat for Humanity to provide new housing development within West College Hill.” Indeed, the organization has done work in the neighborhood in recent years and owns some residential property.
College Hill Today
As of the census of 2020, there were 16,039 people living in the neighborhood. There were 7,624 housing units. The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 32.6% White, 60.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race, and 5.1% from two or more races. There were 7,263 households, out of which 54.1% were families. 22.8% of the neighborhood's population were under the age of 18, 59.2% were 18 to 64, and 18.0% were 65 years of age or older. Census American Community Survey, for the period 2016-2020 the estimated median annual income for a household in the neighborhood was $48,284. About 12.0% of family households were living below the poverty line.
Exploring College Hill: A Modern Perspective
College Hill offers a variety of attractions and experiences for residents and visitors alike. College Hill Coffee Company, situated at the corner of Hamilton Avenue and North Bend Road, offers a selection of breakfast items, starters, salads, soups, sandwiches, and quiche. Marty’s Hops and Vines is another local favorite, offering a wide selection of craft beers and wines. Brink Brewing Co. is a newer addition to the neighborhood, offering a selection of locally brewed beers. Other options along the Hamilton Avenue business corridor include Red Rose Pizzeria, Schwartz Jewelers, and Bacalls Cafe.
tags: #College #Hill #Cincinnati #history
