Cincinnati Enquirer Photo Archive

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In one of the most significant donations of local history to your Library, the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library has acquired the photo archive of the Cincinnati Enquirer, opens a new window for permanent preservation in CHPL’s collection. The collection contains more than a million photographs created by the newspaper's staff photographers between 1945 and 1995. The photos cover thousands of subjects including Cincinnati events, historical buildings, notable people, and much more.

Read an article about the project, opens a new window. (via Proquest database, opens a new window; Library card required)

How to Use the Archive

Request Cincinnati Enquirer Photos for Digitization

Help prioritize the digitization of the Cincinnati Enquirer photos to view anytime in CHPL's Digital Library!

Request a photo topic or search for a specific photo in the Cincinnati Enquirer Photo Archive inventory to be digitized:

Search the Cincinnati Enquirer Photo Archive inventory.
Complete the Cincinnati Enquirer Photo Archive request form.
CHPL staff will contact you to assist with your inquiry.

If images relating to your request are found, up to 20 will be scanned and sent your way. The archive may contain images that match your request, but the Library cannot guarantee that it contains the photos you are searching for.

Requests require a minimum of 4-6 weeks to complete.

Customers are limited to one request per 6-week period. The archive is available to view in person by appointment only.

View what's been digitized so far in CHPL's Digital Library.

Images for Reproduction

The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library does not have the ability to grant reproduction for the photos in the Cincinnati Enquirer Photo Archive. Please contact the Cincinnati Enquirer at lgillespie@enquirer.com to obtain reproduction rights for photo you intend to publish.

Top Highlights of the Collection

"John Reid and Dave Wetzel designed the winning banner Sunday in the Cincinnati Reds Banner Day contest staged between games of the doudleheader at Riverfront Stadium. The duo, both fresmen at Ohio State, finished second in last year's competition. Their banner featured a venetian blind and several moving parts. They won $250 for their efforts. Second place went to twin sisters Mary and Marilyn Webb of Pendleton, Ind. Third were Dan Bruning and Mark Eckley of Cincinnati while Judi Blank and Laura Bruce of Cincinnati finished fourth. More than 100 banners were judged." - June 4, 1979

"Michelle Barcomb, a finisher at the Busken Bakery commissary in Oakley, prepares "Who Dey" cookies. Busken is selling 300 dozen to 400 dozen a week currently at 35 cents each or $3.50 a dozen." - September 4, 1989.

"Television anchorman Nick Clooney with his marvelous new microphone." - August 14, 1986

Reverends Jesse Jackson and Otis Moss officially open the local PUSH operation, Lincoln Heights, Hamilton County, Ohio - July 2, 1972

Government Square, looking west. 1943

Kroger Company strike - May 1971.

"Sally Malone, front, and Jane Duppstadt give the Bengals a rousing welcome as team introductions are made." - September 10, 1990

"FIREMEN HAUL HOSE TO TOP FLOOR OF BURNING LAUNDRY. Flames crackle as firemen haul a hose to the top floor of the old four-story brick building at 840-42 W. Sixth St., housing the New Troy Laundry, scene of a three-alarm fire early yesterday." - February 6, 1952

"The Larkin family gathered for the holidays at their home in Silverton amid a display of trophies and memorabilia won through the years. In front are 11-year-old Stephen and Mrs. Shirley Larkin. Standing, from left, are Xavier basketball standout Byron; Robert, their father; daughter Robin, who is

"POLICE OFFICERS and partners John Sess, left, and Randy Adams, "stand out on any street-especially the streets of Over-the-Rhine." - December 20, 1983

I-75 - 1970

"Cincinnati Gardens Looks Like Presidential Convention Floor ... but for some 16,000 partisans present there was but one candidate to consider at Monday night's rally." - October 22, 1968

"TIME AND TEMPERATURE SIGN INSTALLED. Installation of a time and temperature sign was completed recently on the Lincoln National Bank Building at Fourth and Vine Sts." - January 9, 1954

Dixie Terminal - April 1966

"Newport Unveils Crime Lab. Dick Tracy Never Had It So Good ... Jarman, Chief Gugel, and Captain Garnick take a peek." - December 1, 1971

"Boobie! We Expect Big Things From You ... Coach Brown, left, welcomes running back Clark to the Bengals' training camp in Wilmington, Ohio, Wednesday." - August 15, 1974

"An automatic conveyor feeds cans into giant pressure-testing wheels at American Can Co.'s new Blue Ash plant. The wheels can pressure-test 500 cans a minute, says the company." - November 3, 1957

"Shown above is the new Albers supermarkets which celebrated its grand opening this week. The new store, located at 3211 Alexandria Pk., Ft. Thomas, was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring C. B. Wynn, Albers general manager,; Mayor Don Brown of Ft. Thomas, and Miss Kentucky, Barbara Joan Lovins." - June 24, 1961

St. Monica - June 1962

Opening day at Forest Fair Mall - March 1, 1989

"Cincinnati Fire Division Specialist Pete Frye, left, and investigator Lt. Ken Leistler look over the scene of a fire at an English Woods town house where five children died early Sunday. Police have arrested and charged William Lee Garner, 19, of Avondale with five counts of aggravated murder." - January 26, 1992

"A modern street light forms a giant question mark dotted by a city trash can as neighbors chat on steps on Glencoe Place, Mount Auburn." - October 15, 1983

"Signs of Area's Gas Price War - If there were meat wars with the rapidity of gas wars, maybe, but only maybe, food budgets might have the occasional flexibility of driving allowances. These two signs advertising gas war prices on Buttermilk Pike in Kenton County, Ky., illustrate the unsettled cost of the motoring necessity in the Greater Cincinnati area." - February 19, 1972.

Meet With Library Experts

Get free, one-on-one help from library staff. View materials to research your home's history at the Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room at the Downtown Main Library. Make an appointment today.

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