Shademoore Park

Self proclaimed, the original “Gated Community”, Shademoore Park is situated along the picturesque Little Miami River in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our members enjoy lazy summer days reminiscent of a step back in time with fishing, swimming, bicycling and good old fashioned family fun!

Innocent you think?

Perhaps you haven't stayed past the "Beer Bingo..."


History of Shademoore Park

It all begain in the early years of the 20th century when Charles Moore and his wife – the former Sarah Shade – owned farm land along the banks of the Little Miami River. It was, in fact, the year 1904 when Shademoore Park came into existence as a watering place – so called because of its health-giving waters. It was said that these waters gave immunity from typhoid fever, but historical records do not state whether this immunity came from the good well water or the river water.

Shademoore Park was not always known by that name. According to the Articles of Incorporation dated June 20, 1904, it was the Shademoore Essenic Park Association. An Amendment was filed on March 17, 1906 changing the name to what we know it today.

When the Moores conveyed the property to the Park in 1906 it was with the following terms and conditions:

1. That the grounds forever remain a park and athletic grounds devoted to the purposes for which they are presently used, for the benefit of the members of the Shademoore Park Association.
2. That all park grounds and streets be maintained and kept in repair, and that a custodian is employed to continuously take care of said park and grounds.
3. That a fence 5’ high be forever maintained on the easterly boundary line of the park, running from the waters ege of the Little Miami to the southerly boundary of the park.
4. Thad no person shall have a deed for a lot at Shademoore until or after they have been regularly accepted as a member of the Shademoore Park Association.
5. That all members to be accepted are of good reputation and character.
6. That no mortgage be placed on the grounds granted in this transfer.

At the time of this transfer, Charles Moore was the President of Shademoore Park and Josie Flick was the Secretary.

At the same time, a tree planting was started to mark the lots and to landscape the campus of the newly founded Shademoore Park. The trees chosen for campus were the catalpa – of which only a few survive – and the mulberry – of which even fewer remain. Because of the foresight of the founders, the beauty of the area has been maintained and a similar planting program still exists. Now Park members can donate trees in memory of their family and friends.

The first members, when they lived in the park, “camped out” in tents. Such primitive accommodations left much to be desired, and it was not long until small cottages began to appear. As the years went by, cottages were improved and enlarged; flooded out and restored; rebuilt and improved – until Shademoore evolved as we know it today.