2008 Woodie Awards
Looking back at High Street
A historic overview of the heart of Oxford
Erin Bowen and Chelsey Telliard
Issue date: 1/15/08 Section: Features
A paved, red brick road slithers its way through the heart of a little Ohio town 30 miles northwest of Cincinnati, 35 miles southwest of Dayton and five miles east of Indiana. The town could have been ordinary-but a history rich in tradition, innovation and progress has elevated Oxford to its current status.
A five-block uptown district, the red bricks of Oxford emerge from surrounding cornfields like a beacon. Put on the map thanks to Miami University, The Cincinnati Enquirer once described the relationship of the sleepy town and bustling university as "Miami is Oxford and Oxford is Miami."
Given the name Oxford as a nod to the cultural heritage of the English town bearing the name, land was chartered for a university in 1803. While Miami University was established in 1809, it wasn't until 1810 that the first lots were sold and the Village of Oxford began to take form.
Like any other town, Oxford changed and adapted as the population grew and society progressed. Some may challenge whether much has changed since Herbert Bradley, who moved to Oxford in 1907, wrote in his testimonial, Changes In Oxford, "There wasn't much to do but go to church or gamble or drink," especially when it comes to the enormous popularity of uptown bars. Today with more than 18 bars in the uptown district, Oxford continues to hold true to the historically acknowledged fact that one bar exists for approximately every 1,000 students.
The residents of Oxford have likewise changed.
According to the book Fair Oxford published in 1947 by Ophia Smith, "Ladies walked down High Street with skirts sweeping up the filth of the sidewalks. On rainy days they modestly lifted their skirts clear of the mud-with only one hand, mind you, for no lady would lift a skirt with two hands."
Quite a change from the freedom enjoyed by today's women.
In the past, sleigh rides with plenty of blankets characterized Oxford winters. Now Ugg boots and North Face jackets protect against the bitter cold.
A five-block uptown district, the red bricks of Oxford emerge from surrounding cornfields like a beacon. Put on the map thanks to Miami University, The Cincinnati Enquirer once described the relationship of the sleepy town and bustling university as "Miami is Oxford and Oxford is Miami."
Given the name Oxford as a nod to the cultural heritage of the English town bearing the name, land was chartered for a university in 1803. While Miami University was established in 1809, it wasn't until 1810 that the first lots were sold and the Village of Oxford began to take form.
Like any other town, Oxford changed and adapted as the population grew and society progressed. Some may challenge whether much has changed since Herbert Bradley, who moved to Oxford in 1907, wrote in his testimonial, Changes In Oxford, "There wasn't much to do but go to church or gamble or drink," especially when it comes to the enormous popularity of uptown bars. Today with more than 18 bars in the uptown district, Oxford continues to hold true to the historically acknowledged fact that one bar exists for approximately every 1,000 students.
The residents of Oxford have likewise changed.
According to the book Fair Oxford published in 1947 by Ophia Smith, "Ladies walked down High Street with skirts sweeping up the filth of the sidewalks. On rainy days they modestly lifted their skirts clear of the mud-with only one hand, mind you, for no lady would lift a skirt with two hands."
Quite a change from the freedom enjoyed by today's women.
In the past, sleigh rides with plenty of blankets characterized Oxford winters. Now Ugg boots and North Face jackets protect against the bitter cold.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Scott Lawrence
posted 1/15/08 @ 1:26 PM EST
Please post photos that correspond to the buildings described in this article. I love Miami University and Oxford and love reading about the history of both. (Continued…)
Post a Comment