Steps of Cincinnati facts for kids

Imagine a city built on hills, where getting around means climbing lots of stairs! That's Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States. It has about 400 sets of city-owned steps, known as the Steps of Cincinnati. These steps are super important for getting people from one place to another. They're also great for exercise and offer amazing views for visitors.

Why Cincinnati Has So Many Steps

Cincinnati is often called "The City of Seven Hills." This isn't exactly true, but it means the city has many hills, just like the famous seven hills of Rome. Long ago, before cars were common, these steps were the main way people walked up and down the hills. They helped people get to their homes and jobs easily.

Steps Connect Neighborhoods

In the 1800s, when the steps were used the most, there were over 30 miles of them! They connected different neighborhoods of Cincinnati. The very first steps were built in the 1830s by people living in Mount Auburn. They wanted an easier way to reach Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine.

Keeping the Steps Safe

Over time, some steps became old and broken. People who care about history want to fix them. But some people living nearby worry that dark, broken steps might not be safe. To help, the city created the City Hillside Step Information System. This group checks the steps and makes sure they get fixed.

You can find special markers in the Mount Adams neighborhood at the Oregon Street Steps and Park Street Steps. Even with these efforts, some steps are still at risk of being closed.

A Special Tradition: The Immaculata Steps

The Steps of Cincinnati are part of a special tradition. Since 1860, on Good Friday, many people visit the Roman Catholic Immaculata Church. They climb 85 steps to the church's front door while saying prayers.

History of the Church Steps

Another 65 steps start at the bottom of Mount Adams. A special bridge over Columbia Parkway connects these two paths of steps. The steps were first made of wood. But in 1911, the City of Cincinnati helped the church build new steps out of strong concrete. The city helped again in 1958 and 2009, rebuilding the steps that now lead to the church. There are now 96 steps leading to the church.

Exploring the Steps

If you want to explore the steps, there's a helpful book called Walking the Steps of Cincinnati. It was written by Mary Anna DuSablon, who grew up in Cincinnati. The book lists hundreds of city steps and suggests 35 different walking tours you can take!