Cincinnati, Ohio was once known as “Porkopolis” due to its success as the principal pork processing center in the US in the 1820s and 1830s. However, scandals and embarrassment over pigs roaming the streets led to government regulation and Chicago eventually replaced Cincinnati as the major meat processing center. Despite this, the legacy of pig culture continues in Cincinnati with pig-themed businesses and charities. The city has also been nicknamed the Queen City of the West and the City of Seven Hills.
Having experimented with many nicknames, the city of Cincinnati, Ohio has over time fostered a love/hate relationship with one of its nicknames, “Porkopolis”. Cincinnati was already home to its first slaughterhouse when it was first incorporated as a city in 1819. In the late 1820s and mid-1830s, Cincinnati’s easy access to river transportation and farmland facilitated the city’s development as the principal pork processing center of the United States. Prior to Cincinnati’s reign, Buffalo, New York was briefly the primary processing center.
As salt pork became a staple in the United States during this time period, Cincinnati success followed. With pigs being transported by ships and herded on the streets, the name Porkopolis became common in the late 1820s. Although the pork packing industry was a source of financial wealth, images of pigs roaming the streets sometimes caused embarrassment for the area. Scandals also existed over the pig slaughtering processes and eventually led to government regulation.
Porkopolis’ title was short-lived, however, as Chicago replaced Cincinnati in 1861 as the major meat processing center. Cincinnati is known for many other firsts, including the establishment of the first Jewish hospital, the first city to build and own a major railroad, and home to the world’s first professional baseball team. The Sons of Daniel Boone, later known as the Boy Scouts of America, were also founded in Cincinnati.
The legacy of pig culture continues, however. When Cincinnati planned its bicentennial celebration, the city hired designer Andrew Leicester to revamp a riverfront common area. Between his plans, he designed a sculpture containing four chimneys, each topped by a giant winged pig. While controversial, the idea was approved and apparently helped citizens make peace with its previous image.
Continuing the legacy of Porkopolis, the city hosted a massive fundraising/art show in 2000, The Big Pig Gig. Over 400 artist-designed fiberglass pigs were on display for several months and were eventually auctioned off to raise over $800,000 United States Dollars (USD) for local art groups. Many pig-themed businesses and charities thrive in Cincinnati. Porkopolis Tavern & Grill occupies the former location of Rookwood Pottery in the Mount Adams area of Cincinnati. While still containing the pottery factory kilns, the aptly named restaurant offers plenty of pork entrees.
In addition to Porkopolis, Cincinnati has also been dubbed the Queen City of the West and the City of Seven Hills. The Queen City nickname was due to the city’s impressive growth in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The City of Seven Hills refers to an earlier, smaller Cincinnati, during the mid-1800s, when there were seven distinct hills or mountains. In the late 1980s Cincinnati was also known as the Blue Chip City, due to its quality of life.
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