Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-11-28
OUR CINCINNATI LETTER
Theatre ePrOperty-UnPTOHtabIeNeIgh
bOrs.

The National Theatre building is now
for rent. 1t has been the most unlueky
of all buildings erected for that purpose
Years ago the structure was the finest in
this part Of the country. In its time, it
had the largest stage of any similar place
of amusement outside of New York. The
seating capacity is still greater than any
other in Cincinnati yet still it has never
prospered. More money has been sunk in
efforts to support a company there than
would start half dozen national banks.
1t has been opened for tragedy. On its
stage a whole army of attendants have
marched out at once. Comedy has been
tried and spectacular shows. Entertain
ments have been offered which were so low
and vile as to be closed by the police, but
in all changes of policy and management
fate has still been opposed to it, and now
it stands idle The worst part Of such an
investment is, that the establishment Of a
place of that kind is likely to depreciate
the value of property in the locality. 1t
is an undeniable fact that theatres are al
ways surrounded by saloons, and saloons
are the destruction Of high prices for real
estate. The surroundings Of the National
are bad. 1t can never be better as a thea
tire. The only way to improve is to pull
down the building and then perhaps the
scene might be changed, for the location Is
central and ought to be in the heart of the
business community, being but half
square from Fourth street. 1t was great
mistake on the part of the owner OF the
block ever to allow the theatre to be built.
Another such mistake was made by the
owner of what is now called Mount Adams.
1t is a hill overlooking the city from the
east. The view from its summit is superb
On one side there is an unimpeded pros
meet up the Ohio river as far as the mouth
of the Little Miami. To the south the
windings of the Licking river may be traced
six miles from its mouth. To the west,
and Immediately at the base Of the hill,
lies Cincinnati. This place was formed by
nature to afford the choicest building spots
anywhere about the city. To increase its
attractiveness large lot was presented for
the purpose, and the observatory, of which
Prof. Mitchell was for so many years the
head. was erected there. The lots were in
great demand and the owner still holding
on to his property for the rise, sought to
further increase its desirability by donating
a large lot for a church. The Roman Cath
olics promised to erect finer building than
any of the other denominations, and in an
evil hour for the owner, the property was
decided TO them. A large and fine church
was erected but the demand for lots ceased
from all but those to whom the close prox-
unity of a Romish church was no objection.
The result is that Mt. Adams instead of be-
ing the finest of the surrounding hill tops,
as by its accessibility and natural advan-
tages it should be, is now occupied by
low class of foreigners, and the property is
as undesirable as any in town.
The effect of neighbors is well illustrated
by the case of Kitty BeDnett's building.
She is a demi-monde who has accummulst-
ed a large amount of property. Some four
or five years ago she bought lot on Elm
street Just above Eighth. At that time an
acquaintance of mine was in negotiation
for lot on the same street full a square
and half north of Benefits lot, and but
a few feet from DR.. John Davis residence,
the stopping place of President Hayes when
he comes to Cincinnati. This gentleman
learningo of Benefits purchase and of her
intention to build, Immediately broke off
the negotiations, nor has the lot owner
found a purchaser to this day. The house
of Kitty Bennett is fine one. In appear
ance from the outside it is like the other
houses of the neighborhood, being finer if
anything. But for the reputation of its
inmates the building would have been an
improvement to any locality, but as it is,
it has cost property holders for square on
either side an average loss Of say five dol
lars foot, which makes a total of ten
thousand dollars.
So well impressed with this fact of the
influence of persons on the value of prop
erty are our capitalists that have known
them to buy lois which they did not want
but which we're near property Of theirs,
merely to keep them out of the hands of
persons whose residence there would be del
Glorious to their own previous investments.
VIM. Van Fleck in his palmy days put
twenty-five thousand dollars into lot on
Walnut Hills and sold few days after for
much less, only because he saw that par
ty was bidding whose location there would
interfere with the market value Of his lots
across the way. JUvENIs.
Cincinnati, Nov. 24th, 1879.