The Oldest Public Market In Ohio That Rivals Seattle's Pike Place
By Sarah McCosham|Published September 12, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
The Midwest is a criminally underrated region that’s often overlooked in terms of, well, everything. For national parks, folks often venture out West; for beaches, the Gulf; arts and culture, the Northeast; and food and wine, the Pacific Northwest. But guess what? Ohio is well-versed in all of these areas; not only does the Buckeye State have a stellar national park, glorious Third Coast beaches, and world-class museums and attractions, but it’s also home to a public market that easily rivals Seattle’s Pike Place. In Cincinnati, Findlay Market is the oldest public market in Ohio, and it’s an amazing experience that belongs on every Buckeye’s bucket list.
Cincinnati is a charming city that was founded in the late 1700s, and its most historic neighborhoods reflect the Old World influence of its earliest settlers. Over-the-Rhine is one such neighborhood; a place that, while plagued with its share of problems over the years, has experienced a recent renaissance.
Opening in 1855, Findlay Market is the oldest continuously operated public market in Ohio. It was among the first markets in the United States to use iron frame construction technology, and is one of very few that have survived.
The market is named for James Findlay, one of Cincinnati's earliest settlers who purchased a large plot of land in what was then unincorporated territory north of Cincinnati.
For its first 60 years, Findlay Market was only an open-air shed, with no plumbing or electricity. This posed a variety of safety issues; fortunately, in the early 1900s, renovations enclosed the structure and introduced water, refrigeration, and lighting to Findlay Market.
Today, it's a place that's embraced and celebrated by Cincinnatians, who come for weekly shopping, special events, and incredible dining opportunities.
On-site restaurants such as Goose & Elder make shopping at Findlay Market a true experience, complete with the tastiest fried chicken this side of the Ohio River!
Meanwhile, local farmers, artisans, and makers are well-supported at Findlay Market, offering folks in Cincinnati, Ohio, a shopping outlet that feels authentically European.
In 2022, Findlay Market celebrated its 170 year anniversary, which shows the tenacity of this longstanding public market in Ohio. Weathering significant historic and economic events, pandemics, and more, Findlay Market is the kind of place we hope will continue to stand the test of time!
