Cincinnati Ohio Real Estate

 

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Hyde Park, Cincinnati, OH

(Reprinted from "Hyde Park in its Glory", July 1908, by the Hyde Park Business Club)

Hyde Park so picturesquely situated with its wide avenues, handsome homes and well kept lawns has rapidly excelled in beauty the many beautiful suburbs surrounding our home city of Cincinnati.

As the resident of Hyde Park returns to his home in this congenial and pleasant suburb, he has but one thought and that is that while doubtless the Creator could have made a more picturesque and beautiful suburb, it is also doubtless true, that he never has.

It is distinguished by the absence of characteristics, which so often mar an otherwise beautiful suburb. Not a factory within it limits. Its streets broad and well kept. The homes all uniform and attractive. Its residents gathered to this green valley by the attraction of its beauty, its symmetry, its location and the congenial and happy spirit of its fellow citizens. What is seen today is in many ways the outgrowth and result of many years of labor.

Twenty years ago Mornington was, a familiar name not only scattered around through our surrounding territory, but also in every way one was constantly reminded by the quotation "Keep your eye on Mornington."

Twenty-five or fifty inhabitants lived along its country roads, all of which were narrow, but some more narrow and winding than others, all mud, but some muddier than others. Not an unusual piece of architecture distinguished it from the ordinary farm grounds often seen adjacent to a large city. Its only means of transportation was the narrow gauge railroad, crossing above Edwards Road and Madison Pike, and the commuters who gathered on the wooden platform to take the morning train, and returning in the evening were few. The schoolhouse was a little red building at the corner of Edwards Road and Madison Pike still standing as an addition to our present commodious educational institution.

1892

About this time there gathered together a certain syndicate of wealthy, prosperous and patriotic citizens being Charles Kilgour, John Kilgour, James E. Mooney, Albert S. Berry, Wallace Burch, Simeon Johnson, John Zumstein and Thomas B. Youtsey, who formed what was then known as the Mornington Syndicate, purchasing almost all of the property in the triangle bounded by Edwards Road, Observatory Road and Madison Pike and a large stretch of ground to the east of Edwards Road. With the formation of the syndicate came the improvement of Madison Road, the street cars, the widening of Madison Road, first to the City limits and later to Oakley through the heart of the village, the building of Erie Avenue through the center of this farm ground under the direction of the County Commissioners, followed by Mooney Avenue, Berry, Burch and Stettinius, the macadamizing, improvement and grading of Shaw Avenue through the ground then known as Shaw farm and Weber's woods. This syndicate on the suggestion of Gustave W. Drach, changed name from Mornington to Hyde Park, and through their industry and perseverance is mainly due the fact that Hyde Park today is an exclusive residence district, protected, guarded and beautified by restrictions in the conveyance of property.

The growth of Hyde Park for several years was not rapid, but the class of its improvement constantly attracted the attention and year by year it took a better and more commanding place among the home seekers of our City. It may be said here, that those restrictions and plans which were originally laid out by the Hyde Park Syndicate, for the development of this section have been steadfastly adhered to, and it is mainly due to these restrictions, together with that careful scrutiny exercised in the sale of property, that the high class of citizenship in Hyde Park is now due.

In August 1896, the first election for Village officials occurred. The incorporation of the Village only resulting after a bitter fight, and the first officials of the Village were Louis E. Zeigle, Mayor, Frank Johnson, Clerk, William F. Foy, Treasurer, John Kramer, Marshall, and the councilmen: William McCormick, Louis Bolce, William Kinkead, W. L. Voight, Dr. Clancey, R.C. Yowell, and W. J. Davidson, Solicitor. The first village meeting was held in the room occupied by the Hyde Park Savings Bank in the building at the corner of Edwards Road and Erie Avenue, and it was there that the Council was first organized. At the first election there were about two hundred and fifty votes cast, and to say that it was a hot election, is to put it mildly. But it is to this intense local feeling and the pride of each and every one in his home locality, that in a great measure contributes to the present local spirit so prevalent in our suburb. The candidates all made a house to house campaign. Their wives and children all electioneering, and the sole topic of conversation was the local issues then prevalent.

At the installation of these officials into their respective offices, Hyde Park was a community of very few residences, mud streets, few cement sidewalks, water pipes and gas only in a small portion of the locality, and with very poor street car facilities. The question of transportation by streetcars to the City of Cincinnati was often there a live topic of discussion than it is now. Before the incorporation of the village the street cars had been extended first to O'Bryonville, then to Observatory Road and from Observatory Road, for a short time, horse cars were run along the present route of Madison Road to Erie Avenue and Edwards Road. It was not long after the building of the street car line to Observatory Road before it was constructed through to Edwards Road and then to St. John's Park, but for many years thereafter, Hyde Park residents were contented with a jerky line of four cars running between St. John's Park and St. Francis de Sales Church. The only hope in those days was for an extension of the Cross Town line to Hyde Park, which would not have given direct connection with the City without transfer, but the rapid growth of the suburb even in those days convinced the street car authorities that the demands in that matter were less than what the people were entitled to, and thus was established the Madison Road car line, which exceeded in transportation facilities the most extravagant wishes of the residents at that time.

Hyde Park as a village, can be proud of many of its accomplishments, as street improvements, extension of water, gas and sewers, the building of the Town Hall, the erection of the fountain and many other improvements were made.

But more than that can be said of Hyde Park, as a village, for during the whole of its official life not an official of the Village nor an official act of any of the officials, was ever condemned on account of corruption. No matter how high and wealthy the individual was, he was willing and anxious to accept the duties of any office and all duties were faithfully and honestly performed. The three mayors of the Village were Louis E. Ziegle, G.F. Osler and Wm. J. McCormick. While Hyde Park has its three marshals and its prison, during the whole official life of the Village but one arrest was ever made, and that was but a short time before the annexation to the City, and a non-resident at that, the offense being disorderly conduct.

HYDE PARK RECENT HISTORY

When several prominent businessmen pooled their own money to create a new Cincinnati community more than 100 years ago, the plan was to attract a high class of people to what the developers hoped would become an exclusive area. They would cultivate exclusivity by closely monitoring prospective residents, selling only to those they deemed suitable. Houses would be large and elaborate, businesses would be small and scarce and the community would mimic its namesake, the fashionable Hyde Park area of New York. That was in 1892. Today, the Cincinnati neighborhood of Hyde Park still bears many of the qualities its founders fostered. It is an upscale area where stately, well-maintained homes with manicured lawns dot tree-lined streets. Prominent Cincinnatians - business and civic leaders, doctors, judges, the city manager, a county commissioner - continue to call Hyde Park home. Industry remains scarce, and retail outlets are, for the most part, limited to the exclusive shops that dominate Hyde Park Square.

Combine those factors with Hyde Park's low crime rate and its proximity to major arteries such as Interstate 71 and Columbia Parkway, and the east side neighborhood becomes an attractive location for single people and families, middle and upper class. ''Historically, I think it's carried a name and reputation for quality and good life,'' said Pat Shaffer, 65, who has lived in Hyde Park for the last 29 years. ''We have everything we need here, and it's easy to get to downtown, easy to get to the shopping centers. It's just nice living.'' A special charm like many city neighborhoods, the boundaries of Hyde Park are loosely defined. Though the city considers Ault Park to be in Mount Lookout, Hyde Park considers the jewel of a park to be its own.

Picturesque Hyde Park Square is more than the neighborhood's business district. It is the heart of Hyde Park. The square itself - a grassy, bench-lined park with a fountain at the center - is on Erie Avenue between Edwards and Michigan roads.

Lining the streets around the square are banks, dry cleaners, salons, exclusive clothing shops and gourmet food stores. The area is in constant activity. People jog through the square, families walk the sidewalks with strollers and dozens of others window shop as they eat ice cream from the Graeter's store on the square. The Echo, a diner that has served home-style cooking for 50 years, is considered an institution even beyond Hyde Park. Increasingly, those who shop at the boutiques and dine at the microbrewery (it's in a renovated bank and is aptly named Tellers) and other restaurants are from outside the neighborhood. Many patrons also are visitors who had heard about the square, either from friends or staff at the downtown hotels. In the last three years, the businesses on the square have spent $2.5 million in renovations, he said. At least 60 percent of the businesses are sporting fresh paint jobs, and the park in the square has gotten a makeover, with flowers and trees. Stability is a plus. Another attractive aspect of Hyde Park is the stability of the neighborhood, where homeowners are almost guaranteed to turn a profit when they sell, real-estate agents say. In 1990, the median home value was $132,099, U.S. Census figures show. BY 1994, the value was up to $156,675, and, in 1996, it was $164,927, according to data analyzed BY Claritas, a demographic research company in Virginia. The only downside to owning a home in Hyde Park, says longtime resident Mike Holbrook, is the house will not be a new structure with modern amenities. ''You have to like old houses, you have to like hardwood floors and high ceilings, because BY and large, if you're going to come to the area, you're going to have an older home,'' said Mr. Holbrook, 52, who has lived in Hyde Park for 15 years. ''But it's still very livable. The residential values are good, and they keep appreciating.'' Though it is often regarded as an oasis for wealthy people, Hyde Park is more than an upper-class community. Granted, there are secluded, sprawling million-dollar homes lining Grandin Road and surrounding streets. But the more visible - and accessible - parts of Hyde Park are filled with older, two- and three-story homes with porches, detached garages and hardwood floors. Mr. Marck, the real-estate agent, thinks the combination of classes contributes to the neighborhood's appeal.

 

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