The Second Ward Heritage Walk: Pride of Place

The bronze Gothic spire with its 8 foot gold-tipped cross soars 175 feet towards heaven, a symbol of the hopes and dreams, faith and struggles of 19th century German immigrants to Hamilton. Constructed in the year the Civil War ended, St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, a Romanesque-Gothic landmark, remains a physical  symbol of both the American immigrant experience, and the changing demographics of 20th and 21st century Hamilton, Ohio. The church occupies a prominent location in the heart of what is still known as The Second Ward, also known as Southeast but which recently took on the name Riverview neighborhood, delineated by Pershing Avenue to the north, Knightsbridge Drive to the south, U.S. 127 to the east, and the river to the west. Central Avenue runs diagonally through the neighborhood. 

The idea for a heritage walk came from the need to educate people about their neighborhoods and to instill community pride. The Riverview Walk grew from neighborhood community conversations spearheaded by residents Candice White and Angela Jarrett. The goal was to highlight the historic and cultural significance of the Riverview neighborhood by creating a walking tour of the neighborhood with sites open to the public. It was truly a neighborhood effort with tremendous help from Candice White, Josephine Anderson, Archie Johnson, Anne Marie Barth, Coe Wilburn, Angela Jarrett, Bob Harris, Peter Engelhard,  and Ebony Brock, along with Brad Spurlock, Sara Silva, Adriana Reyes, and Kat Steele.

Historic sites were identified and researched. Host sites were identified, a passport was created for participants, and food and live entertainment was provided at BTW. In many ways this event was a continuation of the Blues on Bailey summer music series and combined history, education, and community fellowship.  Host sites included: Riverview Elementary School, Second Baptist Church, St. Joseph’s Church and School, Bailey Square, St. Phillip’s CME Church, Payne Chapel AME Church, Beacon Pointe Homes, and Booker T. Washington Community Center. In addition, an interactive map was produced featuring former homes and businesses of the historic Second Ward.

Participants were excited to learn about the history and cultural significance of the neighborhood and the people who made it such an important part of Hamilton’s rich and diverse history. It is hoped that the experiences of this first 17 Strong Neighborhood Heritage Walk can be replicated in other Hamilton neighborhoods, helping both educate and bring pride in the places people call home.

This article written by Chris Maraschiello, 17STRONG Board Member, History & Education Subcommittee, Teacher at Hamilton Freshman School, and resident of Taft Place/Governor’s Hill Neighborhood

Photo by Michael D. Clark/Journal-News