By Margaret Reich, with Kip Eagen
This article was first published in the Summer 2022 Clifton Chronicle.
Six bronze plaques were imbedded in the sidewalks of the Ludlow Avenue business district in 2010 as part of a larger Ludlow Avenue revitalization project, which also included establishment of the seating area at Ludlow and Telford. The plaques were designed and fabricated by the Andrews/LeFevre Studios in New York City, guided by input from our community. The plaques commemorate the history, buildings and businesses of Clifton.
The Clifton residents who worked with the city on this project included Jinny Berten, Kip Eagen, Phil Herrick, and Steve Schuckman with the support of ArtWorks. The intention was to create visually striking works of art called “Art Carpets.” The content is whimsical in nature with visual puns and “insider” references to local history. These public art works are unique to Clifton within Cincinnati.
The largest plaque sits in front of Clifton Plaza. Look carefully and the images are self-explanatory, celebrating some of Clifton’s exceptional architecture, like the allegedly haunted house on Cornell Avenue. A favorite true story is remembered, of the cow that escaped a Camp Washington slaughterhouse and evaded capture in Mt. Storm Park for 12 days. Some of the Art Carpets are related to nearby buildings (one at the Esquire Theatre, one in front of Graeter’s Ice Cream). Let me know which plaque you’d next like to know about at cliftonccf@gmail.com.
