Cincinnati has many claims to fame, from our beautiful skyline to the way we enjoy our chili. But you might not know that many things happened for the first time right here in the Queen City. Some of these are well-known, but we bet a few of them will surprise you. It’s always fun to learn new bits of history about our hometown.
- First professional baseball team
Wikimedia Commons We love our Reds, but did you know that the Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first professional baseball team? It all began with ten salaried players and in their first year they had a perfect record, with zero losses. You can thank the Red Stockings because they’re the reason the current Reds always get to start the season at home.
- Home to the first person to walk on the moon
Wikimedia/NASA Cincinnati is very proud to say that Neil Armstrong called our town home for a number of years. This innovative adventurer captured the hearts of the world with his endeavors and then chose to live a quiet life in Cincinnati until his death in 2012.
- First professional fire department in the U.S.
Facebook/The Cincinnati Fire Museum In 1853, Cincinnati established the first professional and fully paid fire department in the United States. Our very own Fire Museum downtown celebrates this accomplishment with a fascinating display of history and interactive exhibits.
- First train robbery in U.S. history
Facebook/North Bend Ohio History thru Pictures Perhaps not the nicest part of our history, but in 1865, the first train robbery in the U.S. took place in North Bend. About a dozen men tore up tracks to derail a train that had departed from Cincinnati. They then held about 100 passengers at gunpoint while robbing them of cash and possessions. They took off across the Ohio River and are thought to never have been captured.
- First licensed public TV station in the United States
Facebook/CET Public Television Cincinnati was home to WCET - the first licensed public television station in the United States. Known today as “CET,” Cincinnati still provides free news and entertainment through this channel, which is supported by “viewers like you.”
- The world’s first reinforced concrete skyscraper
Wikimedia/Rick Dikeman In 1903, the Ingalls Building was built in downtown Cincinnati, making it the world’s first reinforced concrete skyscraper. The 16-story building on the corner of 4th and Vine seems small by today’s standards, but if you stop and really look at it, you’ll be amazed by this architectural wonder.
- Cincinnati is home to the first Jewish hospital
Facebook/The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives The Jewish Hospital was established in 1847 and continues to be an important part of the medical community in Cincinnati. The photo above shows the hospital as it was in 1916.
- First co-op program in the country
Facebook/University of Cincinnati The University of Cincinnati has always made a name for itself and our city, and one of its innovative ideas came back in 1906 with the first co-op program in the United States. This program continues today, giving students an edge with valuable time spent in their field.
- First manufacturing company founded by a woman
Wikimedia/Nyttend The gorgeous work of Rookwood Pottery adorns many historic homes throughout Cincinnati. But you might not know that Maria Longworth Nichols Storer founded the company in 1880 and became the first woman to venture into this line of work. The company continues to thrive today with a modern take on their classic design.
- First unofficial air mail delivered from Cincinnati
Flickr/Earl In 1835, a well-known balloonist named Richard Clayton boarded his hot air balloon with a small package that would be delivered to his destination. This July 4th flight was a part of a celebration and became the first unofficial air mail trip in the country. His balloon might have been a bit different than the ones pictured above, but you get the idea.
How many of these firsts did you know about? Can you think of any that we missed? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Wikimedia Commons
We love our Reds, but did you know that the Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first professional baseball team? It all began with ten salaried players and in their first year they had a perfect record, with zero losses. You can thank the Red Stockings because they’re the reason the current Reds always get to start the season at home.
Wikimedia/NASA
Cincinnati is very proud to say that Neil Armstrong called our town home for a number of years. This innovative adventurer captured the hearts of the world with his endeavors and then chose to live a quiet life in Cincinnati until his death in 2012.
Facebook/The Cincinnati Fire Museum
In 1853, Cincinnati established the first professional and fully paid fire department in the United States. Our very own Fire Museum downtown celebrates this accomplishment with a fascinating display of history and interactive exhibits.
Facebook/North Bend Ohio History thru Pictures
Perhaps not the nicest part of our history, but in 1865, the first train robbery in the U.S. took place in North Bend. About a dozen men tore up tracks to derail a train that had departed from Cincinnati. They then held about 100 passengers at gunpoint while robbing them of cash and possessions. They took off across the Ohio River and are thought to never have been captured.
Facebook/CET Public Television
Cincinnati was home to WCET - the first licensed public television station in the United States. Known today as “CET,” Cincinnati still provides free news and entertainment through this channel, which is supported by “viewers like you.”
Wikimedia/Rick Dikeman
In 1903, the Ingalls Building was built in downtown Cincinnati, making it the world’s first reinforced concrete skyscraper. The 16-story building on the corner of 4th and Vine seems small by today’s standards, but if you stop and really look at it, you’ll be amazed by this architectural wonder.
Facebook/The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives
The Jewish Hospital was established in 1847 and continues to be an important part of the medical community in Cincinnati. The photo above shows the hospital as it was in 1916.
Facebook/University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati has always made a name for itself and our city, and one of its innovative ideas came back in 1906 with the first co-op program in the United States. This program continues today, giving students an edge with valuable time spent in their field.
Wikimedia/Nyttend
The gorgeous work of Rookwood Pottery adorns many historic homes throughout Cincinnati. But you might not know that Maria Longworth Nichols Storer founded the company in 1880 and became the first woman to venture into this line of work. The company continues to thrive today with a modern take on their classic design.
Flickr/Earl
In 1835, a well-known balloonist named Richard Clayton boarded his hot air balloon with a small package that would be delivered to his destination. This July 4th flight was a part of a celebration and became the first unofficial air mail trip in the country. His balloon might have been a bit different than the ones pictured above, but you get the idea.
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