11 Fantastic Photos Show How Much Cincinnati Has Changed in 70 Years

A series of photos of Cincinnati taken between 1939 and 1941 by Nelson Ronsheim compared with photos of the same location taken in 2009. How much has changed in 70 years?

1. Locomotive on Eggleston, 1940 and 2009.

The 5th St. Viaduct in downtown Cincinnati frames a steam locomotive on Eggleston Ave.
Original photo by Nelson Ronsheim, 11-16-1940. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith

2. Mt. Adams, 1942 and 2009.

Mt Adams as seen from the old reservoir.
Original photo in January 1942 by Nelson Ronsheim. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith

3. Laurel St., West End, 1939 and 2009.

Laurel St. (now Ezzard Charles) looking west toward Union Terminal.
Original photo in April 1939 by Nelson Ronsheim. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith

4. View from Liberty Hill, 1939 and 2009.

View of downtown from the George Hunt Pendleton House at 559 Liberty Hill in the Prospect Hill District. In the left foreground may be seen the historic buildings at 533 to 539 13th Street, while the nearer buildings, in the right foreground
(top photo) on Dandridge Street, have been demolished.
Original photo May 1939 by Nelson Ronsheim. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith 2009

5. Winter morning on Monastery St., 1939 and 2009.

Looking down Monastery St. toward downtown.
Original photo by Nelson Ronsheim 12-30-1939. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith

6. Churches and chimneys, 1940 and 2009.

Cincinnati Over-the-Rhine; the nearest steeple is St. John Church. While the steeple still stands, the church is gone. St. Matthew's Church at W. Liberty and Elm Street, visible beyond St. John, is long gone.
Photographed 9-28-1940 from Jackson Hill Park by Nelson Ronsheim. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith

7. Over-the-Rhine, 1940 and 2009.

Cinncinnati and Over-the-Rhine from the vicinity of the Walker St. dead end. Salem United Church of Christ is nearest,
then Old St. Mary's Church.
Original photo by Nelson Ronsheim 10-23-1940. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith

8. Boal Street, 1941 and 2009.

Overlooking Boal St. from above, in the distance is Holy Cross Monastery in Mt. Adams.
Original photo by Nelson Ronsheim 4-9-1941. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith

9. Main Street steps, 1941 and 2009.

Looking down Main St. from just above Seitz St. toward St. Peter German Evangelical Church on the right (now demolished). Cross street beyond lower steps is Mulberry; nearer cross street (mostly obscured by landing) is Seitz.
Original photo 11-16-1941 by Nelson Ronsheim. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith

10. Highland Ave. at Liberty, 1939 and 2009.

The corner of E. Liberty Street (now known as Liberty Hill) and Highland Avenue.
Original photo May 1939 by Nelson Ronsheim. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith

11. Mt. Adams, Oregon Street, 1939 and 2009.

Mt Adams, Kilgour St., Oregon St. and Imaculata Church as they appeared in 2009 and 1939.
Both photos were taken from the Columbia Parkway Viaduct.
Original photo by Nelson Ronsheim April 1939. 2009 photo by Michael G Smith

(via Michael G Smith)