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Uncovering the history behind the Paris of America nickname.
We explore the architectural and cultural roots of the Paris of America title.
Cincinnati holds many nicknames, but none invoke elegance quite like this one. In the late 19th century, visitors marveled at the city’s rapid cultural expansion.
They saw a metropolis that rivaled the great capitals of Europe. This specific moniker, the Paris of America, defined an era of unprecedented growth and sophistication.
The city was not always viewed through such a glamorous lens. Just decades prior, the region was primarily known as “Porkopolis” due to its meatpacking industry. Civic leaders worked tirelessly to shift this industrial perception. They invested heavily in the arts, public parks, and grand structures.
Their efforts succeeded in transforming the city’s global reputation. By the 1870s, the Queen City had become a destination for artists and musicians. The streets hummed with a vibrancy that felt distinctly European. This cultural boom cemented the city’s status as the Paris of America for generations.
The architecture behind the Paris of America
The most visible reason for this nickname lies in the city’s physical construction. Over-the-Rhine boasts one of the largest collections of Italianate architecture in the country. These brick buildings, with their ornate cornices, mimic the streetscapes of European cities. Walking through these neighborhoods today still feels like stepping onto a foreign continent.
German immigrants played a massive role in this physical transformation. They brought construction techniques and aesthetic preferences from their homeland. They built dense, walkable neighborhoods that prioritized beauty alongside function. This density created a bustling urban energy rare in the United States at the time.
Music Hall stands as the crown jewel of this architectural era. Completed in 1878, its High Victorian Gothic style signaled to the world that Cincinnati had arrived. It was not just a building; it was a statement of cultural dominance. The structure anchored the city’s reputation as the Paris of America during the late 19th century.
Architectural historians frequently cite the Miami and Erie Canal as a contributing factor. The canal separated the distinct German district from the rest of the downtown area. Crossing the “Rhine” into this district felt like entering a different country. This geographical quirk further deepened the European comparisons.
The “Parisian” Brand vs. The German Engine
It is important to note a fascinating paradox in the city’s identity: while the city was branded as the “Paris of America,” it was powered by German people.
In the 19th century, Paris was the undisputed global capital of art, fashion, and high culture. When visitors used the nickname, they were complimenting the city’s sophistication—its grand Music Hall, massive art festivals, and beautification projects. It was a status symbol rather than a reflection of the population’s ancestry.
However, the engine building this “Paris” was undeniably German. By 1850, German immigrants made up a massive portion of the population. It was German stonecutters who carved the Italianate façades, German brewers who built the tunnels, and German musicians who filled the orchestras. The city blended German gemütlichkeit (coziness) in daily life with Parisian artistic ambition in its public image.
A cultural renaissance in the Midwest
Architecture provided the stage, but the arts provided the soul. The city cultivated a thriving community of painters, sculptors, and woodcarvers. The Art Academy of Cincinnati, founded in the late 1860s, attracted talent from across the nation. Frank Duveneck, a renowned painter, led a movement that rivaled schools in Munich and Paris.
Rookwood Pottery also emerged during this golden age. Founded by Maria Longworth Nichols Storer, the company gained international acclaim. Their ceramics won Grand Prizes in Paris, bringing prestige back to Ohio. This artistic export proved that the Paris of America was a producer of culture, not just a consumer.
Patrons of the arts poured money into public institutions. They believed that a great city required access to high culture for all citizens. This philosophy led to the establishment of the Cincinnati Art Museum. It was the first purpose-built art museum west of the Alleghenies.
- Music Hall: Hosted the May Festival.
- Art Museum: Showcased world-class collections.
- Rookwood Pottery: Set global standards for ceramics.
- Art Carved Furniture: Became a status symbol nationwide.
How the Paris of America influenced city planning
The geography of the region naturally supported the European comparison. The city sits within a basin surrounded by steep, picturesque hills. This topography reminded many visitors of the terrain found in parts of France and Germany. City planners utilized these hills to create dramatic vistas and winding scenic roads.
They established a park system that prioritized leisure and fresh air. Eden Park, with its sweeping views of the Ohio River, became a social hub. Wealthy citizens built grand mansions along the hilltops to escape the basin’s smog. These hillside enclaves added a layer of aristocratic flair to the landscape.
Infrastructure projects also mirrored European ambition. The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge was a marvel of engineering upon its opening. It served as the prototype for the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. Its majestic stone towers added a sense of permanence and grandeur to the riverfront.
The city also implemented inclined planes to connect the basin to the hilltops. These funiculars were practical, but they also added to the city’s unique charm. Riders could enjoy panoramic views as they ascended the steep slopes. It was a transit experience that felt sophisticated and modern for the time.
The German influence on social life
Social customs in Cincinnati differed greatly from the Puritanical norms of America. The heavy German population introduced the concept of the “Continental Sunday.” While other American cities shut down, Cincinnatians gathered in beer gardens and concert halls. Families spent their weekends enjoying music, food, and lager in public spaces.
This relaxed, celebratory atmosphere contributed heavily to the Paris of America label. Visitors found a city that knew how to enjoy life. The beer gardens of Over-the-Rhine were lively, joyous places free from rigid social constraints. This joie de vivre was a defining characteristic of the local culture.
Brewing was not just a business; it was a way of life here. The city produced massive quantities of beer, rivaling major German production centers. Breweries built massive underground lagering tunnels that still exist today.
Why the era ended: River vs. Rail
The golden age eventually faded, but the decline was not merely due to age—it was an economic shift. The “Paris of America” was funded by Cincinnati’s dominance of the Ohio River trade; the city flourished because it was the master of the steamboat age.
However, as the 20th century approached, Cincinnati hesitated to fully embrace the railroad, believing the river would always be king. Meanwhile, cities like Chicago aggressively pursued rail infrastructure. By the time Cincinnati built its own railroad (the Cincinnati Southern Railway), Chicago had already siphoned off the major trade markets. This shift from water to steel rails ultimately ended Cincinnati’s reign as the dominant city of the West, inadvertently freezing its “Parisian” architecture in time rather than replacing it with modern skyscrapers.
Preserving the legacy today
While the economic powerhouse status faded, the physical evidence of that golden era remains largely intact. Preservation efforts in recent decades have saved the Italianate rows of Over-the-Rhine. These buildings are now protected as national treasures.
Current revitalization efforts often lean on this historic identity. Developers and city planners strive to maintain the walkability and density that defined the city. New projects frequently reference the “Paris” legacy in their marketing and design.
The arts continue to play a central role in the city’s identity. The Symphony Orchestra, Ballet, and Opera remain world-class institutions. They operate within the very venues built during the Paris of America peak.
Modern residents are rediscovering the value of this heritage. Walking tours focusing on the city’s 19th-century history are increasingly popular. The city is once again embracing its reputation as a beacon of culture and architectural beauty.
- Learn more about the history of the region at the Cincinnati Museum Center.
- Explore the architectural significance of the city through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Sources:
- Community: Cincinnati, Ohio
- OTR Architecture Guide
- Music Hall History
- Chapter 6: Cincinnati Renaissance: The Paris of America
- Discovering Cincinnati’s Rich German Heritage
- History of Cincinnati
Also read:
The Unique Style and Culture of Cincinnati: A Blend of Tradition, Innovation, and Community
Cincinnati: A Rising Contender to Host the Sundance Film Festival
