Round the Corner

Once an industrial powerhouse, lots of land in the heart of Hamilton County hosts vacant factories and brownfields. But there are efforts to bring those areas back to life.

The high, metallic sounds echo for miles through Cincinnati's hills. They're an audible signature of Camp Washington's industrial character.

Camp Washington juxtaposes air quality issues and the need for green space with a resurgent Mill Creek and even bald eagle sightings.

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.

Artists say lots of inexpensive space and residents open to creativity keep the industrial neighborhood vibrant.

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.

"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.

Miami University and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma spent the last year commemorating the 50th anniversary of partnering to learn from each other. University students and staff traveled to the tribe's recent Winter Gathering in Oklahoma — a capstone to the yearlong celebration. WVXU's Tana Weingartner was invited along and brings back this look at what the partnership means to so many.

Growing up, Kathy Carter Young knew she was Myaamia (Miami), but says she didn't truly know what that meant. Then her son went to Miami University.

The two Miamis formed a partnership in 1972 that has grown and evolved, resulting in, among other things, a cultural revitalization. One outcome of that work has been finding and learning Myaamia stories that hadn't been told in many years.