Findlay Market is Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market and one of Cincinnati's most cherished institutions. The Market is located just blocks from downtown in Over-the-Rhine, a dense historic neighborhood rich in 19th century architecture. Open Tuesday through Sunday, Findlay Market is home year-around to some 24 indoor merchants selling fresh meat, fish, poultry, produce, flowers, cheese, deli, and ethnic foods. From April - November on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays the Market also features a thriving farmers market with dozens of additional outdoor vendors, live street performers and lots of special events held throughout the season.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, public markets were a primary source of perishable food for residents of America's growing, densely populated cities. Many cities, including Cincinnati, built and operated large municipal markets that housed butchers and fish sellers. These markets also gave local farmers outlets for bring their produce to a host of customers. At the beginning of the Civil War there were 9 public markets operating in Cincinnati. Today only Findlay Market is still in operation, making it the oldest operating Market in Ohio.
James Findlay, for whom the Findlay Market is named, was an early Cincinnati settler and merchant arriving in the new village in 1793. He served as a Cincinnati Mayor in 1805 and 1810, helped create a public library. During the War of 1812 he commanded a regiment and built a fort to protect a river crossing point. The outpost was named Fort Findlay and is now Findlay, Ohio.
Built originally as an open-sided pavilion, the Findlay Market building opened in 1855. The center masonry tower was added in 1902. Merchants used cellars deep beneath the nearby breweries as cool storage lockers. As the urban industrial pollution increased, safety concerns called for the open air building to be enclosed while at the same time adding indoor plumbing and mechanical refrigeration units.
The market house tower bell, rung at the start of each market day, was brought from Cincinnati's Pearl Street Market when that facility was torn down in 1934. Findlay Market was renovated in 1973-74 as part of the federal Model Cities program and again in 2002 and 2003.
Findlay Market
1801 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-665-4839
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