Lytle Park and Literary Club of Cincinnati, Cincinnati

Nestled in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, Lytle Park serves as the centerpiece of the Lytle Park Historic District, a lush, flower-filled "urban oasis" surrounded by historic architecture. Famous for its vibrant seasonal displays of tulips and chrysanthemums, the park offers a rare patch of tranquility amid the city’s high-rises and traffic. It also proudly hosts an unusual 11-foot bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln-beardless and contemplative-created by sculptor George Grey Barnard and commissioned by the Charles P. Taft family.

The surrounding district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, preserves fine examples of Georgian, Greek Revival, and Italianate architectural styles. This area was once one of Cincinnati’s most elite residential neighborhoods, carefully protected from industrial encroachment. However, preservation efforts have faced challenges. In 2014, the Western & Southern Financial Group, which owns many properties in the district, proposed removing the historic status from several buildings to allow for redevelopment, sparking concern among preservationists.

Directly across from the park stands the Literary Club of Cincinnati, a historic institution housed in a Greek Revival home dating back to 1820. The house itself sits on land once owned by William Sargent, secretary of the Northwest Territory. Founded in 1849 by a group of 11 intellectuals-including John Celivergos Zachos, Stanley Matthews, and Ainsworth Rand Spofford-the club has long been a hub for literary and political discourse. Its early membership included President Rutherford B. Hayes, with President William Howard Taft also counted among its ranks. Over the years, the club has hosted cultural giants like Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Booker T. Washington, Charles Dickens, and Robert Frost.

Today, both Lytle Park and the Literary Club continue to symbolize Cincinnati’s dedication to civic beauty, historical preservation, and cultural sophistication-all within a few short blocks.