A hidden historic treasure that pays tribute to the streetcar system that once traversed through Springdale along State Route 4. The parcel is a triangle shaped landmark that is formed between Osborne Way (formerly Orange St.), Springfield Pike (State Route 4), and Main Street and was once a loop that would turn the streetcar around to allow it to head back south.
Between 1897 and 1901, a rail system was constructed outside of Cincinnati limits and created an interurban system, the Cincinnati & Hamilton Traction Company constructed a broadline interurban streetcar system that extended between Cincinnati and Hamilton. The line was heavily traveled with up to 4.4 million passengers in 1912 due to industrial and residential development that took place outside of City of Cincinnati limits. In 1926, Cincinnati Street Railway took ownership of the line and reduced the railway back to Glendale.
Today, this park is home to several plaques dedicated to the many years of service and dedication by the Springdale Garden club.
Location of the Cincinnati & Hamilton Springdale loop, was immediately south of the city hall, looking southwest towards Route 4. After interurban service on the Cincinnati & Hamilton was abandoned, the people of Springdale funded the construction of this loop so the Cincinnati Street Railway, which took over the line from Hartwell to Glendale, could run streetcars to Springdale. The tracks came in from the left, turned left around the park, then turned left again onto Route 4 to head back towards Cincinnati. The Springdale extension was only used from 1928 to 1930. Photo taken 4/3/2003
Streetcars departed every half hour starting early in the morning. Passengers would travel to Winton Road for just 10 cents and all the way to Cincinnati for 20 cents. Stops within Springdale included Sharon Rd, , Cameran Rd, the home of Harry Dean's apple farm; a stop at the corner of Peach; A&R Biler's grocery; Kemper Rd; a stop at John Seller's farm; the home of Judge Charles Hoffman; and the final stop in Springdale was at Louisa Poor's farm before reaching the Butler County line. The streetcar service allowed students that attended Springdale School, a school that offered grades 1 through 8, to attend high school at the neighboring high schools in Mt. Healthy and Glendale. It also allowed for grocery and medicine deliveries from Hamilton and Glendale to residents of Springdale. Commuters were also now able to travel from Springdale south towards CIncinnati for factory and other employment opportunities.
Streetcar running on the Mill Creek line. Photo c.1915