Clifton History
For more than 47 years, a small almost clannish community called Clifton operated as an independent city, perched on a hilltop above Newport. It fended off attempt after attempt by Newport to gobble it up, but you can't find Clifton on maps today.
Clifton's story dates to February 15, 1888 when the area, described as a clump of trees, four houses and a brickyard, was incorporated by land developers. They picked the site because of its "country" setting, its accessibility to town and its spectacular view of downtown Newport and Cincinnati. Its hilltop location apparently inspired the name Clifton and nicknames like Nanny Goat Hill and Knob Hill. And still later, an influx of Italian immigrants gave it the tag Spaghetti Hill.
As legend as it, its Italian population grew as laborers were imported to build the L&N Railroad lines. It Italians quarried rock from the Clifton area for Newport's railway trestles and decided to stay. One of the first buildings to go up after Clifton's incorporation was the Campbell County Protestant Orphan's Home. It opened on April 1, 1888. The Baptist Convalescent Home is now on the site.
The day after the orphan's home opened, Clifton
held its first town meeting. The following were elected or appointed:
George Fewlass-Mayor
E C Remme-Councilman
Jacob Hahn-Councilman
Peter Enslen-Councilman
John Schneider-Clerk
E D Sikes-Police Judge
T Lewis Riley-Marshal
S D McCain-Assessor
George Lindsey-Engineer and Surveyor
By July 1889 construction was booming, four companies were selling lots and more than 200 acres were being developed. Lots, 25' by 100' were offered for "one dollar per week without interest".
Clifton bordered Newport along the railroad tracks to the north, the Licking Pike on the west, Southgate on the south and Alexandria Pike-US 27 on the east. In those early days a tollgate was located where US 27 and Carothers Road intersect. Clifton's fortunes took a dip in 1905 when a shortage of $875 was discovered in the city treasury. A special meeting was called for the treasurer to explain, but he never showed.
In October 1906 Newport announced its intention to annex Clifton. The residents refused. A story on October 10, 1910, said two political tickets had been formed in Clifton. One group, nicknamed "the Bee Hive" declared itself the progressive ticket and urged more development. The "Broom Ticket" took its name from a claim that it would "sweep things clean."
The Broom Ticket lived up to its name; each of
its candidates were elected:
John Hurley-Mayor
Craton Karmer-Council
William Schultheis-Council
A C Sickmeier-Council
William Engelke-Council
George Braun-Council
William Schwartz-Council
Clifton during this era was a thriving community, but it still lacked many of the finer touches. Most streets were dirt and outhouses were in use throughout the city. Garbage was collected by Mike Zappa who picked up the trash in a horse-drawn two-wheel cart. A gate, operated by a guard in a tower, controlled traffic over the railroad tracks.
In 1912 Newport tried again to annex Clifton. Again the residents refused. In 1916 while Newport considered annexing Clifton, Clifton was considering annexing Andrews Steel and the 76 Distillery on Licking Pike. Neither annexation was successful.
By the 1930 most of Clifton's residents worked at either Andrews Steel or in Cincinnati tailor shops. Its population was estimated at 3000. It operated two public schools, one at Main and Grandview and the other on Main west of Park. A Catholic school, St. Vincent DePaul was on Main between 18th and Home.
In 1935 Pat Greco was elected to the city council and Robert F Snow was the mayor, but Clifton residents voted to merge with Newport. The final step in Newport's takeover came November 26, 1935 when the ordinance accepting the annexation was past. The next day Clifton officially ended 47 years of independence.