History

217 Magnolia Street is part of a row of six houses built in the 1840's, when Cincinnati was a rapidly growing rivertown. Some of the oldest remaining buildings in Cincinnati, these two-story, masonry and timber single-family homes typify early-to-mid 19th century construction in Cincinnati. Many of these types of buildings in Over-the-Rhine were torn down for denser, 3-4 story tenement buildings as the nineteenth century wore on. The sturdy brick construction of these rowhouses may have contributed to their longevity, as similar structures built of wood in the neighborhood tended to decay faster.