Cincinnati - Ohio - History

Many of the first settlers of the city were German, bringing along with them the root of the conservative, hardworking philosophy still evident in many of the city's residents. In the last few decades, the city has become more diverse, with people coming in from all over the world to work at companies in the Tri-state area. However, the Tri-state remains very conservative, both politically and socially.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the area, which in 1803 would become the State of Ohio, was under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Diocese of Bardstown, KY. Catholic settlers to the region north of the Ohio River depended on the occasional visits of priests from Kentucky to fulfil their spiritual needs. One of these missionary's efforts on behalf of the growing number of German and Irish Catholic immigrants paved the way for the creation of the Diocese of Cincinnati in 1821. Eventually, separate dioceses were established for each state and by the middle of the 19th century the Cincinnati diocese was subdivided to allow for the creation of the dioceses of Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Steubenville, and Youngstown. Cincinnati was elevated to the rank of archdiocese in 1850.

Back in 1831 Bishop Fenwick initiated publication of The Catholic Telegraph diocesan newspaper. The weekly newspaper was carried by stage and riverboat to areas within diocese's government, as well as to cities in Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Greater Cincinnati makes up eight counties in three states, but the suburbs keep expanding farther away from the center of the city. There also are some areas of Greater Cincinnati that are expected to decrease in growth--mostly the urban areas in the central part of the city and Covington and Newport.

One reason for the expected population increase is that people are discovering Greater Cincinnati is a good place to raise a family, especially compared to other large cities. That's one reason Places Rated Almanac ranked Greater Cincinnati as America's Most Liveable City in 1993 and why the suburb of Blue Ash was listed in 50 Fabulous Places to Raise A Family in 1993 and 1996. It's why so many sports figures that come to play for the Reds or Bengals end up staying here, even though their careers take them to another city during playing season.