Discover Cincinnati's Secrets: 9 Amazing Fun Facts You've Never Heard Before

1. Hog Dating Capital

Before "The Bachelor," there was a more literal "Hogtown": Welcome to Cincinnati, the matchmaking capital of the 1800s for pigs and hogs! No roses, though—just a lot of pork fat: Once holding the title of "Porkopolis," Cincinnati, Ohio became the nation's leading pork processing hub in the 1800s, boasting over 500,000 hogs processed annually by a bustling workforce of more than 2,000 people. This porcine paradise attracted a plethora of German immigrants, kickstarted related industries such as coopering, and marked the city’s streets with free-ranging, grunting pigs. Sadly, the careless disposal of pig waste tainted surrounding waterways, and ultimately led to the swine-filled city's inevitable decline in the pork industry by the 1870s.
Source => morningagclips.com

2. Cincinnati's Spicy Dish

Feeling chilly? Cincinnati's got just the dish to spice up your life: Cincinnati chili, with its unique blend of sweet and fiery flavors, traces its origins back to 1922, as a creation of two Macedonian immigrant brothers who opened the Empress Chili Parlor. Unlike traditional red chili, this saucy specialty gets its distinctive taste from spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice and is popularly served on spaghetti or hot dogs. The much-loved Skyline Chili restaurant chain, named for its skyline view, is a hot spot to try this palate-pleaser. When ordering, go "two-way," "three-way," or all the way up to "five-way" to tell the folks behind the counter your topping preferences, but don't forget to save room for a bit of laughter along with your coneys and cheese!
Source => allrecipes.com

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=> Fun Facts about Ohio

3. Furry Mascot "Who Dey"

In a town filled with Bengals, there's one fuzzy creature that stands out among the stripes, taking cat-chy phrases to a new level with a chant that brings fans together: Cincinnati's beloved mascot, "Who Dey" is actually named after the catchy team chant, "Who Dey think gonna beat them Bengals? Nobody!!" This delightful mascot isn't just any old Bengal tiger, but sports a furry, cuddly Cincinnati No. 1 jersey, charming fans of all ages.
Source => cbssports.com

4. Queen's Tiara Tower

Crowned with a tiara that would make even the Queen of England green with envy: Cincinnati's Great American Tower at Queen City Square is not only the region's tallest structure and downtown's most prestigious office building, but also sports a shiny LEED Gold certification for its eco-friendly and highly efficient design.
Source => queencitysquare.com

5. Birthplace of Star Wars Toys

In a galaxy far, far away... or rather, Cincinnati: Kenner Products, based in Cincinnati, was handpicked by George Lucas himself in 1977 to create the original "Star Wars" toys, and it was local designer Ray Perszyk who concocted the iconic chrome logo, racetrack border, and black starfield packaging that now summons waves of nostalgia for fans across the universe.
Source => cincinnati.com

6. Flying Pig Marathon

When pigs fly, they do it in Cincinnati: The city hosts the annual Flying Pig Marathon, a weekend of running events with distances ranging from a 5K to a full marathon, celebrating Cincinnati's rich history as a pork-producing hub and paying homage to its "Porkopolis" moniker.
Source => flyingpigmarathon.com

7. Cincinnati's Ancient Mound

In a city known for its chili and flying pigs, it may surprise you to find a prehistoric relic buried in its midst: Cincinnati is home to the Norwood Mound, a 15.5-foot tall earthwork burial mound made by the Adena people in the Pre-Columbian era, marking it as one of the highest elevations in southwest Ohio and a historical landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. City of Wall Lizards

In a plot twist that would make Godzilla green with envy, Cincinnati has become the unsuspecting home to scaly, wall-loving Italian immigrants: Since the 1950s, a thriving population of northern Italian wall lizards has settled in various city locations such as south O'Bryonville, adapting to the similar climate and feeding on local insects, while reaching sizes between 2-10 inches, boastfully flaunting blue spots on their brown or dark green bodies.
Source => uc.edu

9. Mascot Party for Reds

It's a mascot mania in Cincinnati, where more is merrier and baseball meets furry friends: The Cincinnati Reds boast not one but four mascots – Mr. Red, Gapper, Rosie Red, and Mr. Redlegs – with origins dating back to 1953, making the team's sidelines a veritable festival of high-fives, acrobatic antics, and fluffy fanfare.
Source => en.wikipedia.org