CINCINNATI

 Like most cities, long range planning didn't exist in the very early years.  Cincinnati had four primary north-south streets when it was first settled, Sycamore, Main, Walnut and Vine streets.  The east-west streets had numbers for names.  Like most cities, Main street was the main street.  It ran north-south.  The numbered streets crossing it changed from east to west at Main street.  

As the city grew, it became evident that a better plan was needed.  It was settled that all new north-south streets would be named after trees and all the east-west streets would be numbered.  It also became evident that Main street was no longer the "main" street.  It was decided to change the north-south center of town to be Vine street.  So now, addresses to the west of Vine are marked west and those to the east of Vine are marked east.  It caused some confusion when they did it and some of that still exists.  Vine street is a little disjointed in one or two areas.  Now you know, if you have, for instance, a west sixth street address it is west of Vine and an east sixth street address is east of Vine.  

Hope that helps you get around town.

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