CINCINNATI WATER WORKS
The first two cards show the construction of this water treatment plant located next to the Ohio River in California, which is around two miles down river from Coney Island. Opening in 1907 the water was pumped from an intake located on the Kentucky side of the Ohio, (see 5th row of cards). Traveling through a 1400' tunnel sunk beneath the Ohio River, it was pumped from 85' beneath the ground by steam-powered pumping engines to a settling basin. It then goes to a filtration plant and chemically treated before entering an underground reservoir. From there it flowed by gravity to the main pumping station on Eastern Avenue where it was distributed throughout the city by water mains. The capacity was 120 million gallons a day. By 1924 this capacity was deemed inadequate during peak periods. In 1925 a 35 million gallon reservoir was constructed on Winton Road, and 14 water tanks were erected at Mt. Airy in 1927. Renovation of this plant between 1936-1938 increased the capacity to 180 million gallons daily. Also added were two more secondary basins and another pumping station. By the 1940s the water supply was again inadequate. Many improvements and modernizations in the 50s and 60s have more than doubled the capacity of the station you see below.
Towboat James Moren with empty barges
Photograph used for
postcard at left above
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Bird's-eye-view from Kentucky RPPC
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Driveway to home near Country Cottage near Waterworks
new waterworks
Businessmen Inspecting Water Works
Replica
A COUPLE OF ODDS & ENDS
The British Convict Ship
Success
not a postcard
Success, a British convict ship, built in 1790 was the oldest ship afloat when she toured the Ohio River in 1917-18. This ship was used to transport felons from England to Australia. The purpose of the exhibit was to show the barbaric conditions the convicts had to endure and the prison reforms that had been implemented in the years since.
Read the card!
Hydroplane Visits Cincinnati
Professional Deep Diver
November 6-11, 1919
Not a postcard
Replica of Santa Maria
The 1892 image above shows a replica of the Santa Maria that was built for the river pageant that took place on October 21 in honor of the 400 anniversary of Christopher Columbus' voyage to the new world.
The last part of this page shows some of the recreational uses of the Ohio River. If you want to see the "Beaches" you will have to go to the Northern KY web site mentioned on the main page and go to the Campbell County section. From there go to the Bellevue and Dayton pages.
LAUNCH CLUB & GYMNASIUM BOAT CLUB
The Island Queen seen cruising past the Boat Club.
These are not postcards
1912 Ad.
Gymnasium and Athletic Club
Both the Launch Club and the Gymnasium Boat Club boats were the focal points for many activities including the colorful regattas which are below. Founded September 6, 1890 The Cincinnati Gymnasium and Athletic Club built this boat in 1892 so that its members could experience life on the river. They called it the Cincinnati Gymnasium Boat Club and it lasted for 35 years until it sank near Coney Island. Boats were originally harbored at Smith's Bath House, foot of Vine Street. The club moved to Cincinnati Gym Grounds in the East End and built its own boathouse in 1892. It was moved to Nine Mile, above Coney island. The Ohio River Launch club boat (called Helene) was also started in 1892 with the club boat located at the foot of Strader Street, East End.
Not a postcard
1897 photo of "Helene"
The Ohio River Launch Club
The Ohio River Launch Club held its first annual Regatta in 1908. They were a huge success, in some years drawing as many as 10,000 spectators and up to 300 boats. This club was one of the first power boat organizations in the nation. The club was started by a group of individuals who were crazy about the Ohio River and all the pleasures that could be enjoyed on it. The clubhouse boat was 80" long and 30' wide with two decks. The upper deck had a kitchen with the remaining space consisting of one large room that was used for meals, meetings, smokers, and dances. The lower deck contained a reception room, lockers for the members, and a room for baggage. The boat was moored to the river bank by huge cables that were needed to keep the clubhouse in place during the large fluctuation of the river during the boating season, (anywhere from a couple of feet to flood stage of over 60').
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RP with Island Queen
RP taken with pc on left
The cards above and below show the regattas at the turn of the century with their gaily bedecked boats. These races attracted thousands of spectators along the banks of the Ohio, while others boarded small craft of their own to watch or participate. Three classes of boats participated in the regattas depending on size, speed, and engine. The longest race of the day was 16 miles for class C boats, those classified as speed boats, those boats capable of speeds of 15 MPH or better. The course started at the boat house and ran up-river to a stakeboat opposite Coney Island and back for a distance of 8 1/2 miles. The class C boats ran the course twice for 16 1/4 miles.
The second non-postcard image above is the photograph that was used to make the postcard on the left.
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Athletic Club & Y.M.C.A.
Walnut Hills in Background
Pleasure Boat Estel for hire. Not a postcard
The little moonlight dance boat Estel was well known by those Cincinnatians who indulged in river parties. The proprietor was Oscar H. Schmidt who had an office at 222 West Third Street in Newport, KY. Built in 1907 for family parties and small crowds he later came up with the idea of providing a space for dancing by building an auxiliary boat that was attached to the Estel. Both boats were lighted and the Estel had a galley and some cabins.
On the picturesque
Ohio
Kind of overloaded isn't
it?
A moonlight ride.
Fishing on the Ohio. All three look like the same
area, the last 2 are obviously the same day
Towboat on the Ohio.
Picturesque Glimpse of the Ohio
