Over-The-Rhine in Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Anti-German Hysteria
As a result of the anti-German hysteria during World War I, name changing became the rage. The Cincinnati City Council followed the trend by changing German street names on April 9, 1918. Among those changed were: German Street to English Street, Bismarck Street to Montreal Street, Berlin Street to Woodrow Street, Bremen Street to Republic Street, Brunswick Street to Edgecliff Point, Frankfort Street to Connecticut Avenue, Hamburg Street to Stonewall Street, Hanover Street to Yukon Street, Hapsburg Street to Merrimac Street, Schumann Street to Meredith Street, Vienna Street to Panama Street, and Humboldt Street to Taft Road.
Erected 2006 by the German-American Studies Program, University of Cincinnati; and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 11-31.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 4, 1918.
Location. 39° 6.93′ N, 84° 31.154′ W. Marker is in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Hamilton County. It is in Over-The-Rhine. Marker is on the Findlay Market periphery (West Elder Street) near the North Parking Lot passageway (Pleasant Street). Neither Elder nor Pleasant Streets are signed here. It is across from the north entrance to Findlay Market, halfway between Race and Elm Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 118 W Elder St, Cincinnati OH 45202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Findlay Market Opening Day Parade (a few steps from this marker); Cincinnati Public Markets / The Northern Liberties (within shouting distance of this marker); Hudepohl Brewing Co. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Keeping Beer Flowing into Glasses and Growlers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cincinnati Breweries / Remaining Brewery Structures (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Kroger Co. / Over-The-Rhine (approx. 0.3 miles away); Expanding and Renovating Washington Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Miami and Erie Canal (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cincinnati.
Also see . . . Anti-German hysteria in city during WWI. 2017 article by Jeff Suess in The Cincinnati Enquirer “The public library moved their 10,000 German books to the subbasement. ‘This library has been used to further a reptilian and insidious propaganda by enemies of the United States,’ said board trustee James Albert Green. ‘German literature published during the last 40 years is tainted with the ideas and ideals which American boys now are giving their lives to combat.’” (Submitted on June 7, 2019.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,047 times since then and 166 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 6, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on June 7, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.