Mount Adams, Cincinnati

Mount Adams is one of Cincinnati’s most distinctive neighborhoods-perched on a hill just east of downtown and home to a rich blend of cultural heritage, artistic institutions, and scenic views. With a population of 1,578 as of the 2020 census, this compact neighborhood punches above its weight when it comes to character and charm.

Once called Mount Ida, the area was named after Ida Martin, a washerwoman who lived in a hollow sycamore tree. By the early 1800s, the hill was cleared of trees by settlers. In 1831, attorney Nicholas Longworth turned it into a vineyard, producing the acclaimed “Golden Wedding” wine and earning the title “Father of the American Wine Industry.” His success even inspired poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Longworth also played a key role in the establishment of the Cincinnati Observatory, donating land at the hilltop to the Astronomical Society. The observatory, boasting the most powerful telescope of its time, was inaugurated in 1843 with a speech by President John Quincy Adams, after whom the hill was eventually renamed. Though the observatory later moved to Mount Lookout due to industrial smoke, its original location became home to the Holy Cross Monastery and Church, which operated until 1977.

Mount Adams developed into a strongly Catholic, working-class neighborhood, largely settled by German and Irish immigrants. The first Protestant church in the area, Pilgrim Presbyterian, was established later on Ida Street. During the Civil War, the hill even hosted two artillery installations-though neither was used in battle.

The area became more connected to the rest of the city with the construction of the Mount Adams Incline in 1872. It was a major draw, bringing people up the steep slope to visit the Highland House, a hilltop entertainment venue. The incline operated until 1948. In 1892, Maria Longworth, Nicholas Longworth’s granddaughter, opened the now-famous Rookwood Pottery, adding an artistic flair to the neighborhood’s reputation.

Today, Mount Adams is adjacent to Eden Park, one of Cincinnati’s most scenic public green spaces. Within walking distance, you'll find the Krohn Conservatory, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Playhouse in the Park-all cultural gems that make this neighborhood a magnet for locals and visitors alike.