Crosley at the Crossroads
If you've spent any time in Cincinnati, you know the hulking white building with the tower on top that rises just west of I-75. In a city of architectural gems, the Crosley Building in Camp Washington stands out for its size — and its neglect.
What might not be apparent gazing at the crumbling building is that a significant amount of history took place there.
This podcast is the story of how a now-empty building helped change the world, and how the fate of the neighborhood around it is tied up in its construction, its boom years, its decline — and efforts to resurrect it.
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The history of the Crosley empire starts with two brothers who had very different, but complementary, skill sets and personalities. -
As the Crosleys were building their enormous new factory and state of the art studio facility, the world's economic system was grinding to a halt. -
As the war came to an end, the Crosleys were riding high. But the company's days were numbered. -
Crosley's departure was an omen for the future of Camp Washington and a peek at larger trends of deindustrialization. -
Camp Washington — like the Crosley Building, once buzzing with life and friendship — slowly emptied out. -
As the Crosley Building stood empty, it became a haven for adventurous and creative folks, including crews of graffiti artists. -
There are plans to address environmental concerns in Camp Washington after years of industrialization — and to rehab buildings like the Crosley Building. But such plans often bring tension. -
Episode 8: What will the neighborhood's future be, and what role will the enormous Crosley Building play in it?
