Over-The-Rhine in Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1801 Race
Findlay Market Building History Project
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 21, 2026
1. 1801 Race Marker
Inscription.
1801 Race. . James Findlay was an early and prominent settler in Cincinnati. Born in 1770, he moved to Cincinnati with his wife, Jane, in 1793. Here, he ran a general merchandise store near the riverfront, and later served as Mayor. As an early investor in Cincinnati, he and a business partner bought a plat of land in the Northern Liberties, which was then a forest, and recorded a town plat in 1833, officially establishing the area as "Findlay's Woods." With this plat, he also established an open area for a public market and a general store, the first of its kind in the area. Unfortunately, James Findlay died in 1835 before he could build his market. His widow, Jane, inherited his land, but Findlay Market was not built until after Jane passed away in 1851. Executors of Findlay's estate gave the City of Cincinnati the land that Findlay had identified for the market. The original Market House was an open-air cast with a wrought-iron frame that opened in 1855. Today, you'll notice the original wrought-iron framing inside the now-enclosed Market House.
James Findlay was an early and prominent settler in Cincinnati. Born in 1770, he moved to Cincinnati with his wife, Jane, in 1793. Here, he ran a general merchandise store near the riverfront, and later served as Mayor. As an early investor in Cincinnati, he and a business partner bought a plat of land in the Northern Liberties, which was then a forest, and recorded a town plat in 1833, officially establishing the area as "Findlay's Woods." With this plat, he also established an open area for a public market and a general store, the first of its kind in the area. Unfortunately, James Findlay died in 1835 before he could build his market. His widow, Jane, inherited his land, but Findlay Market was not built until after Jane passed away in 1851. Executors of Findlay's estate gave the City of Cincinnati the land that Findlay had identified for the market. The original Market House was an open-air cast with a wrought-iron frame that opened in 1855. Today, you'll notice the original wrought-iron framing inside the now-enclosed Market House.
Erected 2025 by America 250-Ohio Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the America 250: Ohio Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1770.
Location.
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39° 6.915′ N, 84° 31.185′ W. Marker is in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Hamilton County. It is in Over-The-Rhine. It is at the intersection of Elm Street and West Elder Street, on the right when traveling north on Elm Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 45202 Elm St, Cincinnati OH 45202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sunny Meisel Plaque (a few steps from this marker); 130-134 West Elder (a few steps from this marker); 1801 Elm (a few steps from this marker); 135 West Elder (a few steps from this marker); 133 West Elder (within shouting distance of this marker); 1739 Elm (within shouting distance of this marker); 131 West Elder (within shouting distance of this marker); 128 West Elder (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cincinnati.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
