CINCINNATI

I've mentioned before that the original name of the settlement on the Ohio that we now call Cincinnati was Losantiville.  The name was changed to Cincinnati after the Society of the Cincinnati.

Well, from where did that name, Losantiville, come?   This calls for breaking down the word like an etymologist.  Started in the rear, 'ville' means city, 'anti' means against or across from, 'os' means mouth, and 'L' stood for Licking River . . . thus, 'the city across from the mouth of the Licking river.' Does that sound like something I may have just made up?  It does but I didn't but, maybe, somebody did.

The Licking River is one of the few rivers of any size which flows generally to the north.  It is a tributary of the Ohio.  It separates the cities of Covington and Newport, Kentucky.  The head of the river is 300 miles southeast in Magoffin county.  It is assumed it derived its name from the wild animal salt licks which dotted its shores and drew early hunters - the Shawnee and Cherokee tribes were among them.

There are some vestiges of the Losantiville name in Cincinnati including the Losantiville Country Club in the Amberly Village area.  The club is over 100 years old - a private club with beautiful golf course - one of the best in the area.   Some of my friends caddied there - back in the day - I only visited once.
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