Prospect Hill, Cincinnati facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Prospect Hill Historic District
|
|
Houses on Milton Street in the district
|
|
 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly bounded by Liberty Hill, Highland, Pueblo, Channing, and Sycamore Sts., Cincinnati, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Architect | multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003078 |
| Added to NRHP | September 4, 1980 |
The Prospect Hill Historic District is a special area located on a hillside in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It's part of the Mount Auburn neighborhood. This district is surrounded by streets like Liberty, Sycamore, Boal, and Highland. Some people in the area call it "Liberty Hill."
To the north, Prospect Hill is next to the Mount Auburn Historic District. To the south, it borders the Pendleton neighborhood, which is part of Over-the-Rhine. This area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Contents
What Makes Prospect Hill Special?
Prospect Hill is known for its unique buildings and how it was built on a steep hill. Most of the buildings here are made of brick.
Architectural Styles You'll See
Many homes in Prospect Hill show the Italianate style, built between 1860 and 1880. These houses often have decorative brackets under their roofs and rounded or arched windows.
You can also find older Greek Revival style buildings, built from 1835 to 1860. These homes use classic designs and have balanced, simple shapes. They are mostly found on the lower streets, which were developed first.
Some homes also feature the Queen Anne style. These buildings often use different materials and have many decorative details. The French Second Empire style is also present, recognized by its special Mansard roof that forms part of the front of the house. These styles became popular around the turn of the century.
Unique Street Steps and Walls
Because Prospect Hill is on a steep hillside, regular straight roads were hard to build. This led to the creation of many street steps and pathways. Where the land was too steep for roads, stairways were built instead.
Many streets here cut sharply into the hillside. This required building strong retaining walls along the front of properties. These stone walls often have original iron fences on top, adding to the district's charm. You might also see open spaces between lots, which are areas too uneven to build on.
A Glimpse into Prospect Hill's Past
The first people to settle in Prospect Hill were often soldiers who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
One of the earliest residents was Dr. Daniel Drake. He lived in a simple log cabin while his main house was being built nearby.
Another important person who lived here was Senator George H. Pendleton. His house, known as the George H. Pendleton House, was a well-known landmark at 559 Liberty Hill.
