Tracing the history of Covington, Kentucky from its beginning in 1815 to the 21st century, the text and photographs depict a medium size city developing a solid manufacturing base and ample retail only to slide into economic decline with a falling population following World War II. Attention has been given to the city's annexations (and lack of), all of which bore significantly on Covington's fortunes. A second theme discusses an activist city government adopting policies leading to major new construction projects, both commercial and residential, as well as to the restoration of many...

Columbus, Ohio, no longer has industrial communities - a triad of factories, retail, and worker housing, all in close proximity and well integrated. Beginning in the late 19th century, these communities were a function of both a walking city and an efficient railroad network available for factory use. This book surveys three of Columbus's industrial communities from their formation, growth and decline as the larger city grew around them creating forces that made their survival untenable. These forces involved transportation changes, corporation consolidation, racial composition, immigrant...