Mount Adams, Cincinnati facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Adams Mount Ida
Neighborhood of Cincinnati
Mount Adams streetscape, facing downtown Cincinnati
Mount Adams (red) within Cincinnati
Country	United States
State	Ohio
City	Cincinnati
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,578
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	45202

Mount Adams is one of the 52 neighborhoods in Cincinnati, Ohio. It's located on a hill right next to downtown Cincinnati. This area is known for its great views and fun places to visit.

Many cool cultural spots are found in Mount Adams. For example, Eden Park is just north of the neighborhood. Inside the park, you can find the Krohn Conservatory, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and the Playhouse in the Park.

Discovering Mount Adams: A Look at Its Past

Mount Adams in the summer, with downtown to the west.

Mount Adams was first called Mount Ida. This name came from Ida Martin, a washerwoman. She lived in a hollow sycamore tree on the steep hill.

In the early 1800s, the hillside was mostly empty. Early settlers had cut down all the trees for building materials.

From Barren Hill to Famous Vineyards

In 1831, a rich lawyer named Nicholas Longworth bought land here. He owned the mansion that is now the Taft Museum of Art. He also bought the large, empty land behind it, including Mount Adams.

Longworth turned the hill into a huge vineyard. He became the first successful winemaker in the United States. People even called him the "Father of the American Wine Industry."

The Golden Age of Cincinnati Wine

During the 1830s and 1840s, Longworth grew Catawba grapes. He used them to make his famous "Golden Wedding" champagne. The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow even wrote a poem about this wine. People at the time said Longworth's wine was better than French champagne.

The wine industry in Cincinnati grew fast for many years. But around 1860, plant diseases like downy mildew and black rot destroyed the grapes. The American Civil War also meant fewer workers for the vineyards. When Longworth died in 1863, Cincinnati's wine industry mostly ended.

The Hill Gets a New Name: Mount Adams

Longworth wanted to make his property more valuable. So, he gave part of the hilltop to the Cincinnati Astronomical Society. They built an observatory there.

When the Cincinnati Observatory opened in 1843, it had the most powerful telescope of its kind. The hill was then renamed Mount Adams. This honored President John Quincy Adams, who spoke at the observatory's opening.

Observatory Moves, Monastery Arrives

The observatory still works today. But in 1871, it moved to Mount Lookout. This was because of too much smoke from downtown buildings. The old observatory building later became the Holy Cross Monastery and Church. It closed in 1977. Today, it's the main office for a property management company.

Community and Defense on the Hill

Cincinnati was mostly Presbyterian in its early days. But Mount Adams became a strong Catholic community. Many German and Irish working-class families lived there. The first Protestant church in the neighborhood was Pilgrim Presbyterian Church.

During the American Civil War, two cannons were placed on the hill. They were meant to protect the city from the Confederacy. One was at Fort View Place, and the other near the Playhouse in the Park. Luckily, neither gun was ever fired.

Connecting the Hill: The Mount Adams Incline

Mount Adams incline, circa 1905

The Mount Adams Incline was finished in 1872. It connected downtown Cincinnati to the hilltop community. The Highland House, a resort at the top of the incline, was a popular place for fun. Around this time, many working-class people lived on the hill. The Incline closed in 1948.

Art and Renewal in Mount Adams

Mount Adams business district

In 1892, Maria Longworth opened Rookwood Pottery. She was Nicholas Longworth's granddaughter. Her pottery is still very popular and collected by many people today.

In the late 1960s, people started to improve the neighborhood. Many workers wanted to live close to their offices downtown. This led to new life and changes on the hilltop.

Population and People of Mount Adams

As of 2020, about 1,578 people live in Mount Adams. Most residents are adults, with a good mix of ages. The neighborhood has a diverse population, with people from many different backgrounds.