Crosley at the Crossroads

Nick Swartsell's Round the Corner series and Crosley at the Crossroads podcast go on the ground in Camp Washington.

Most Cincinnati neighborhoods have their housing set away from industry thanks to zoning. But Camp Washington is zoned almost entirely industrial. Some community leaders want to make sure there's plenty of room for housing and mixed uses, too.

Bob Story lived and worked in Camp Washington from the 1950s to the 1980s, back when you could get anything you needed — including a sense of community — within walking distance. Community leaders say they're hopeful that's something returning to the neighborhood.

The white building with its stately tower looming over I-75 is currently empty and in significant disrepair. But it might get new life soon.

"Camp," as some residents call it, has survived economic downturns, massive fires, vacant buildings and environmental issues. And it's done it all by going to work making everything from machine valves and sausage to fine art.

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.