Columbia Tusculum: A History of Cincinnati's Oldest Neighborhood

Columbia Tusculum, Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhood, stands as a vital contributor to the region’s progress and development. With a history dating back 2000 years, the area was initially significant for native hunting and trading. The lush and strategically located land provided essential resources for farming, hunting, and transportation. Positioned at the convergence of the Little Miami and Ohio Rivers, Columbia became a hub for transporting people and goods, catalyzing Cincinnati’s growth. As the first Anglo-American settlement preceding Downtown Cincinnati, Columbia played a key role in the city’s development. Over time, streetcars, railroads, and Columbia Parkway facilitated transportation, fostering migration and growth. Lunken Airport, a major municipal airport in the early 20th century, also enhanced Cincinnati’s connectivity. 

This book delves into the extensive history of Columbia Tusculum, made possible by the efforts of residents, businesses, and organizations preserving artifacts and documents. Authored by Dinese Young, a Columbia Tusculum resident, educator, and founder of the Columbia Tusculum Historical Society, the book aims to collect, chronicle, and share historical resources, including images and oral and written histories, previously inaccessible to the public. Through these efforts, the author contributes to preserving and sharing the rich history of Columbia Tusculum. 

About the Author

   Dinese Young, originally from Columbus, Indiana, relocated to Cincinnati after receiving advanced degrees in education from both Miami University and the University of Cincinnati. She became Executive Director at The Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum in 2012 and spearheaded the reorganization of the nonprofit community center into an arts and cultural resource for Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhood. In 2020, she created the Columbia Tusculum Historical Society to preserve and share community history and artifacts. Dinese and her husband purchased their first home in Columbia Tusculum in 1999, and they've since renovated four historic homes, raised children, and actively participated in community endeavors. 

   While teaching fourth grade history, Mrs. Young taught about the first Cincinnati settlement of Columbia prior to living in the neighborhood. Later as an active community resident and volunteer, she brought that knowledge and passion about the community’s history into many projects. Through years of active volunteering and leadership, her passion for education and historic preservation inspired her to write this book sharing the rich history of Cincinnati’s Oldest Neighborhood with a wider audience.