Cincinnati Deaconess Hospital

Do you remember the Deaconess Hospital, that was at the corner of Clifton Avenue and Straight Street? Did you know the hospital was actually started in Liberty Street (now Liberty Hill) in the Over-the-Rhine/Prospect Hill neighborhood?

Google Street View; July 2022

Founded in 1888, the hospital was located in one half of a two-sided single family home. The home was built in the late 1850s for the Nulsen and Wagner families (Anton Nulsen and Philippina Nulsen Wager were siblings.). As the hospital expanded, they purchased both portions of the house. It was so successful, that plans were made in 1899 to build a new structure in Clifton Heights. It was completed in 1903, and the Liberty Hill houses were converted into the Ohio Maternity Hospital until it was sold in 1914 to a private owner.

Sketch of the hospital to be built at Clifton Avenue and Straight Street.
Cincinnati Enquirer; March 17, 1902; p. 5

The Liberty Hill houses were converted in apartments, conveniently called "The Liberty". Plans were made to convert the homes into condos in the 1980s, but funding fell through. It recently sold, and the new owner ordered a history report so they could learn the stories behind the hospital rumors.

The Deaconess Hospital buildings at Clifton Avenue and Straight Street were demolished in 2019 to make way for a mixed-use facility, with student and community-based housing planned. However, the lot currently remains undeveloped.

Clifton Avenue and Straight Street; Google Street View July 2022