Cincinnati's Public Markets

During the 18th and 19th centuries, public markets were a primary source of perishable food for residents of America's growing, densely populated cities. Many cities, including Cincinnati, built and operated large municipal markets that housed butchers and fish sellers and attracted farmers and produce vendors to surrounding streets. Cincinnati operated nine public markets at the start of the Civil War.

However, public markets began to decline in Cincinnati during the late 19th century. The construction of five inclined railroads connected to the city's street railroad (trolley) systems made it possible for working people to move out of Cincinnati's densely populated river basin. This population shift led to the creation of neighborhood business districts that included grocery stores on the hills. As a result of increasing competition and declining population, only one survives today, Findlay Market, built in 1852 on Elder Street between Elm and Race.

Findlay Market continued to thrive into the 20th century because it was supported by its densely populated Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, which reached a high population of 44,475 in the 1900 census. The markets described below were not so fortunate. They closed as people moved away from downtown Cincinnati, new neighborhood business districts emerged in the suburbs, refrigeration arrived in the home, and the automobile altered lifestyles and the shape of the city itself.

Fifth Street Market: Built in 1829 on Fifth Street between Vine and Walnut streets on land deeded to the City "solely for construction of a market house" by George Jones, Elizabeth Ramsan, David Cathcart, Jozabad Loudge, William S. Johnston, Edward Dodson, and Michael P. Cassilly. Also known as "Upper Market". A Lincoln-Douglas debate was staged on a hotel balcony overlooking Fifth Street Market and the market, which was a polling place, served as a muster point for union troops during the Civil War. Following a contentious political and legal battle over alleged deed restrictions, Fifth Street Market was demolished by force in 1870, despite resistance from its 54 meat merchants, in a period of three hours following a City Council meeting; this action was taken in preparation for construction of Tyler Davidson Fountain. The City went to court again in 1956 to clear its title to the property in preparation for construction of an underground parking garage at Fountain Square.

Wade Street Market: Built in 1848 at the corner of Wade and Bauer Avenue. Wade Street Market was constructed with wood salvaged from the first church erected in Cincinnati, First Presbyterian, which was built in 1792 at the corner of Fourth and Main streets from timber logged on the site. Wade Street Market was demolished in 1898.

Canal Market: Built in 1829 on Court Street between Vine and Walnut streets.Court Street was widened to make room for the market house, which provided an outlet for produce and livestock shipped down the Miami and Erie Canal one block north. Canal Market was torn down in 1864.

Court Street Market: Built in 1864 on Court Street between Vine and Walnut as a replacement for the Canal Street Market. Court Street Market, a wooden structure, was closed by order of the City Board of Health in 1912 for unsanitary conditions; it sat empty for two years and was torn down in 1914. Stone lined tunnels built to run hogs between slaughterhouses near Court Street ran under the market and were used as a refuge by frightened citizens during the March 1884 Courthouse Riot.

Jabez Elliott Flower Market: Built in 1890 on Sixth Street between Plum and Elm streets with a $10,000 gift from Mary Holroyd in memory of her first husband, Jabez Elliott. The 7,200 square foot market opened for business in March 1894 and claimed to be the largest market in the nation devoted exclusively to flowers. Jabez Elliott Flower Market was raised in 1950 to make room for a parking lot.

Sixth Street Market: Built in 1895 on Sixth Street between Plum and Western Row, a site designated for a market in an 1829 City Master Plan. Also known as "Western Market," the Sixth Street Market was a large, unheated masonry structure with 64 indoor stalls that also housed offices for the City Superintendent of Markets, Weights, and Measures. The Sixth Street Market was razed in 1960 to make room for the Sixth Street approach to the Mill Creek Freeway (now I-75).

Pearl Street Market: Also known as "Lower Market", Pearl Street Market was built in 1901 on Market Street between Sycamore and Broadway at a location that had been the site of a public market since 1804. The Pearl Street tower bell moved to Findlay Market when Pearl Street was raised in 1934.

Farmers Wholesale Market: Cincinnati's large outdoor farm commodity trading market began during the 19th century on Court Street. The market grew so large that it blocked the street during market hours and, in 1926, was forced to move to 12th and Central Parkway by order of the Fire Department. It operated there, on a site previously occupied by the City's general hospital, from 7:00 am to midnight Monday through Saturday and involved 1,000 licensed farmers. When the City needed the site for a parking lot in 1951, the Farmers Wholesale Market moved to the river bank at Second and Main. The market was displaced yet again in 1967, to Kellog Avenue near Lunken Field, to permit construction of Riverfront Stadium. Although no longer a wholesale market, an outdoor farmers market operates in that location today.

Markets also operated at various times on Seventh Street, Government Square, and at Hay and Tree.

A Brief History Of Cincinnati's Findlay Market

General James Findlay

The Northern Liberties and Over-the-Rhine

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Price Hill Incline

Miami and Erie Canal

Beck's Stand, Findlay Market, 1930