Cincinnati Subway
by Paul (0 Comments) 
For people who live in the area, the fabled Cincinnati Subway is quiet a sore spot. It represents the large hopes and dreams of a city on the verge of becoming the hub of the midwest (considered the first true American "boomtown" and the tenth largest city in America). In 1905 the city began making plans to upgrade its public transit, which already had a city wide trolley system and 9 different rail lines merging in the city -- and do something with the unused eyesore of the canal that ran through the city -- and interconnect the city and its growing population.
For the next 7 years the plans were discussed and finally made official in 1912 -- a $6 million. 16 mile subway to loop around the city. An official vote was taken by the citizens of the city in 1916 to "ok" the funds to be used, but the start of World War I postponed the actual start of construction. Not until 1920, and the proposed cost of $6 million (with inflation, steel and concrete) the plan had to be cut back, did construction actually begin. By 1925 the money was used, but 7 miles of tunnels had been fully completely, with an additional $1.3 million needed to finish (add tracks, electricity, etc), and $10 million to finish the full plan.
Then the Great Depression hit in 1929 and federal spending on transit was substantially cut back -- although, Chicago's own subway was given significant funding -- and states at the time did not fund local transportation projects. During the hiatus, automobiles were becoming more common and local demand grew for better roads and highways and the focus from the subway shifted. Most of Cincinnati's major road construction projects far exceeded the costs to finish the subway, and the subway was never finished.
Today the subway serves as a reminder to what could have been and a lesson in inaction, though the tunnels are fully intact and could easily be completed.
(all research found at Cincinnati Transit in their Abandoned Subway section)
From Our Neck of the Woods
by Paul (3 Comments)
Today's the first day of the new line-up at Armstrong Circus, and the focus is on our local/extended community of Cincinnati. Today we're going to talk about Famous People born in Cincinnati. I know, not necessarily educational but fun and interesting (or is it?).
Steven Spielberg: Born in Cincinnati December 18, 1946. The brilliant director of Jaws, E.T., Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Close Encounters, et al was born right here in Cincinnati. Sure, his family moved nearly immediately after his birth to Camden, New Jersey; but we'll stake our claim to him.
The Naked Cowboy: Born in Cincinnati December 23, 1970. You know who he is right? Right? The (mostly) naked dude that plays his guitar in nothing but cowboys boots and a cowboy hat in Times Square (well, he has underwear on too)? The Naked Cowboy got his first big break after winning a contest to have a role on "Baywatch". He took some singing lessons, searched for stardom and found himself outside of David Letterman Show in NYC; using the "underwear" gimmick and long story short, he got famous. (Read the entire "story" of the Naked Cowboy here if you wish).
Charles Manson: Born in Cincinnati November 12, 1934. Wow, very sorry about this one. Charles was born to a 16 year old prostitute, 5 years later ending up in the care of his aunt and uncle in West Virginia. The rest of the story you probably know.
Harriet Beecher Stowe: though not born in Cincinnati, she had a short but impacting stay in our fare city (as Cincinnati was a free state, bordering a slave state, and was a refuge for many slaves who escaped via the Underground Railroad -- all things that Beecher Stowe was passionate about). The famous author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for a time in her life (before she married) lived in Cincinnati in her parents house right near downtown.
Roy Rogers: Born in Cincinnati November 5, 1911. Most of us aren't old enough to have grown up watching Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger on the Zenith B&W. Roy appeared in over 100 movies and had his on show "The Roy Rogers Show", with his very famous side-kick; the crotchety Gabby (played by Gabby Hayes, whom Will Ferrell parodied in his skit "The Old Prospector")
Other Notables:
George Clooney
Jerry Springer (sorry) -- former Mayor of Cincinnati turned trash TV host
Sarah Jessica Parker
Carmen Electra
Shaun Alexander (running back in the NFL)
