Unseen Boundaries – Historic Footprints of UC’s Campus

UC has constantly morphed into the campus we know today. From its inception, UC has annexed the community around it, the original campus being entirely inside Burnet Woods Park. 

1884 Robinson Atlas showing Burnett Woods Park and a Corryville residential area that would later become the University of Cincinnati campus.
Robinson Atlas showing Burnett Woods Park and Corryville, 1884. Source: Cincinnati Public Library
1922 Sanborn Map of the original University of Cincinnati footprint, showing Woodside Avenue and W University Avenue.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map showing campus, 1922. Source: Cincinnati Public Library
1956 Aerial photo showing the UC campus expanding eastward into Corryville, with the original northern boundary of W University Ave remaining intact.
Campus Aerial, 1956
1968 Aerial photo showing the UC campus after construction of MLK Drive as well as the Jefferson Avenue project, showing campus boundaries as we know them today.
Campus Aerial, 1968

Clifton Court is all that remains of West University Avenue, the original northern boundary of campus. It continued to East University Avenue in Corryville. 

View looking east down Clifton Court from Clifton Avenue
Clifton Court at Clifton Avenue, Sept 2023

Woodside Avenue was the original western border of campus. From this point east to Jefferson Avenue stood a residential zone of 28 blocks

Looking north along the former Woodside Avenue right of way at the former intersection of Woodside and W University Avenue
Looking north along the Woodside Avenue right-of-way at W University Ave, Sept 2023
Looking east along the former W University Avenue right of way at the former intersection of W University and Woodside Avenue
Looking east along the W University Ave right-of-way at Woodside Ave, Sept 2023

The area of campus bounded by Clifton Court, Woodside Drive, MLK Drive and Clifton Avenue was part of Burnet Woods Park as late as the 1960s when MLK Drive was constructed through the park. 

Looking Southwest from Burnett Woods Park, showing portions of campus annexed from the park in the 1960's
Looking west along MLK Drive towards UC’s Campus and Burnett Woods, Sept 2023
Looking Southeast from Burnett Woods Park, showing portions of campus annexed from the park in the 1960's
Looking east along MLK Drive towards UC’s campus, Sept 2023
Post Views: 21
1900'sAerial PhotographyChange & ProgressInstitutional ExpansionSanborn Maps
By fall 2023, local history, PH Wild, University of Cincinnati