Pleasant Ridge, Cincinnati facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pleasant Ridge
Neighborhood of Cincinnati
Pleasant Ridge (red) within Cincinnati, Ohio
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Hamilton
City	Cincinnati
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,895
ZIP code	45213, 45212

Pleasant Ridge is one of the 52 neighborhoods found in Cincinnati, Ohio. This area became part of Cincinnati in 1911. It is mostly a place where people live. In 2020, about 8,895 people called Pleasant Ridge home.

History of Pleasant Ridge

Early Beginnings

The story of Pleasant Ridge began in 1795. A man named Colonel John McFarland bought a large piece of land here. He built a small fort to keep early settlers safe from Native American attacks. This fort was called McFarland's Station. It was located near where the neighborhoods of Kennedy Heights and Pleasant Ridge are today.

Not many people lived here at first. But the chance to own land for a good price slowly brought more settlers. Some of these were young soldiers who had fought in the Revolutionary War.

How Pleasant Ridge Got Its Name

There's a story about how the area got its name. A young soldier named Samuel Pierson was with his friend, John Brewster. Brewster had lost his wife and baby. They were looking for a good burial spot. When they found a "grassy spot on the brow of a hill," Pierson said, "Here is a pleasant ridge." This is how the community is said to have gotten its name.

Growth with Roads

Pleasant Ridge started to grow because new roads were built. One important road was an old Native American trail. It became known as Ridge Road. Another road was a turnpike, built to connect Cincinnati to Zanesville. This road was called the Montgomery Turnpike.

With these roads, Pleasant Ridge became a stopping place for travelers. It had taverns where people could rest. The area was first known as Cross Roads. This was because the Montgomery Pike and Columbia Road (Ridge Road) met there.

Community Life and Changes

The Presbyterian Church moved to its current spot in 1800. A school was built nearby around 1819. The church took the name Pleasant Ridge around 1818. The community itself is said to have changed its name from Cross Roads to Pleasant Ridge in 1850.

The first person to settle permanently in Pleasant Ridge was James C. Wood in 1809. He bought a large amount of land. His family lived in "the fort" until they built their own house. When James died, his land was divided. This is when Pleasant Ridge was first officially mapped out.

The community grew slowly. In 1832, when the post office opened, only about 100 people lived there. It was mostly a farming area with a few businesses for farmers and travelers.

Becoming a Village and Joining Cincinnati

Pleasant Ridge became an official village in 1891. This happened when its population grew to more than 1,000 people. John H. Durrell became the first mayor. The village made improvements like new sidewalks and street lamps. It had its own council, police, and firefighters.

Twenty years later, in 1911, the village voted to join Cincinnati. Some people were against it, but others believed that joining Cincinnati would bring better services. Pleasant Ridge officially became part of Cincinnati after a vote.

In 1904, the village made national news because of a sad accident at the school.

Geography of Pleasant Ridge

This neighborhood is surrounded by several other places. It borders the cities of Norwood and Golf Manor. It also borders Amberley Village. Nearby neighborhoods include Kennedy Heights and Oakley. Part of it also touches Columbia Township.

People of Pleasant Ridge

Population and Homes

In 2020, there were 8,895 people living in Pleasant Ridge. There were 4,636 homes in the neighborhood.

Diversity

The people living here come from many different backgrounds. About 61.1% were White, and 27.7% were Black or African American. There were also people who identified as Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, or from other races. About 5.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.

Age Groups

About 18.9% of the people in Pleasant Ridge were under 18 years old. Most of the population, 69.3%, was between 18 and 64 years old. About 11.8% were 65 years or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (49.1%) and females (50.9%).

Culture and Arts

Pleasant Ridge is known for having many artists and musicians. In 2008, Pleasant Ridge and its neighbor, Kennedy Heights, formed a group called District A. This group works to build community and help local businesses grow through art. They focus on the Montgomery Road area, which is a main street for both communities.

Notable People

• Reed Ghazala, known as the "Father of Circuit Bending"