Explore the History of Riverside Civic Club

The community of Riverside is located on land that was originally owned by Cornelius Sedam, Squire Ethan Stone and
Mrs. Jeremiah Reeder. Platted during the early 1800s, Sedam’s land was divided between his sons upon his death in
1823. Henry Sedam inherited the land east of Bold Face Creek where he later founded Sedamsville. Another son, David
Sedam, inherited that part of the estate located west of Bold Face Creek. There he built a large stone home overlooking
the Ohio River which he called “Riverside”. During the following years a community developed around “Riverside”
which extended up the slopes of the surrounding hillsides. Because of its location and proximity to the Sedam
homestead, the community became known as Riverside.
 

During the nineteenth century Riverside grew and on August 20, 1867 was incorporated as a village. Early Riverside
mayors included Peter Zinn, George A. Peter, Allan A. Reeder, and Captain J. Percival Sedam. In 1869, the City of
Cincinnati annexed 124 acres of Riverside located in Storrs Township. The following years, the city attempted to annex
the rest of Riverside but was unsuccessful because the Ohio statue concerning annexations of incorporated places

provided for a vote of the citizens of both municipalities. The residents of Riverside voted against the proposal by an
overwhelming margin of two to one.
 

By the 1890s, Riverside was a self-contained and self-sufficient community. The business district included large
businesses like the Cincinnati Iron and Steel Company, the Cincinnati Cooperage Company, and the Riverside Rolling Mill as well as many family-owned businesses. Riverside had three railroad stations: Riverside, Southside and Cullum’s
Station. The community also housed a building and loan association and the post office. Three churches and one
school, the Riverside Public School, were located in the neighborhood.
 

In 1896, the City of Cincinnati annexed the village of Riverside. Residents were generally opposed to the action but had
little choice because of the new Ohio annexation law passed three years earlier. The new law provided for annexation if it was approved by a combined vote in both the annexed and annexing cities. The City of Cincinnati favored annexation and as a result, Riverside had little chance of escape. Proud of its progress before annexation, one newspaper wrote that the residents would “…possibly regret that their creations are so soon to pass to the control of others.”

 

Riverside did not change much after its annexation. As a city neighborhood it received police and fire protection, city transportation, and became a part of the city political system. During the first years of the twentieth century neighborhood businesses still flourished as people continued to move into the community. In the early 1920s Riverside gained a new church when St. Vincent de Paul Church and Parochial School moved out of Sedamsville.
 

One important event that directly affected the neighborhood was the Flood of 1937. Residents recall it was “quite a
catastrophe” as houses and businesses were lost or severely damaged. The high water forced many families to leave
their homes and seek refuge in the school hall at St. Vincent de Paul. Those who lived on the hillside kept constant vigil
monitoring rising river. In a concerted effort, the neighborhood assisted flood victims by providing food, shelter, and
clothing.
 

Ten years later, the Riverside Civic and Welfare Club, Inc. was organized with its objectives to provide a meeting place
where people of Riverside could gather and exchange views about the conditions of the community and to cooperate
with other organization working towards the same end. The club’s constitution defined Bold Face Park and 5960 River
Road as the boundaries of the community. In addition, the constitution provided for the membership of any interested
adult, and for a president, vice president, recording secretary and a treasurer. The Board of Executives included all
officers plus five members elected at large. The Civic Club immediately determined to work toward the “betterment of
the community”.