By Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COVINGTON - The Licking-Riverside neighborhood, bordered by the Ohio and Licking rivers, tells the story of how people used to live.

As Greater Cincinnati riverfronts gave way to floodwalls, stadiums and restaurants, Licking-Riverside remained largely untouched. Today, the showcase of 19th-century architectural styles is generally believed to be the area's last undisturbed bit of riverfront.

On Dec. 13 and 14, the owners of a dozen historic buildings will open their doors for a holiday home tour. Visitors can stroll on foot or ride in horse-drawn carriages through the decorated neighborhood. Proceeds will beautify the Licking-Riverside Historic District.

The Daniel Carter Beard House (c. 1820) at 322 E. Third St. is a Federal style and the boyhood home of the founder of the Boy Scouts of America. The Porter-Fallis House (c. 1852) at 412 E. Second St. is the Greek Revival home of mid-19th century banker Daniel Fallis. First United Methodist Church (c. 1867) at Greenup and Fifth streets, was President Ulysses S. Grant's worship place when he visited his father, Covington Postmaster Jesse Grant.

The residents have a five-year plan to preserve and enhance the neighborhood's historic features. The plan, developed with the help of Green 3 Inc., a landscape architecture/grant writing firm, would include ornamental street lights, rebricked alleys and old-fashioned signs.

Licking-Riverside residents will be given a survey in January to rank the project ideas, said Lisa Sauer, a four-year resident.

Licking-Riverside gained prominence in the 1850s when tobacco merchants and riverboat captains settled there.

Although high ceilings, elaborate staircases, wraparound porches and balconies with sweeping riverfront views distinguish many of the neighborhood's homes today, it wasn't always so.

In the mid-20th century, false facades were added to some structures, and many were divided into apartments. Newcomers had to deal with damaged features.

"When I moved into this neighborhood in 1988, probably 25 percent of the homes were either abandoned or chopped up into very small apartments,'' said Virginia Giddings, 60. "There had been a lot of fires and places were just abandoned. But one by one, people bought the houses and restored them.''

If you go

What: Licking-Riverside Historic District 2003 Home Tour

When: Candlelight tour from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 13 and afternoon tour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 14

Where: Licking-Riverside neighborhood bordered by the Ohio and Licking rivers

Admission: Tickets are $25 and can be purchased the day of the tour in George Rogers Clark Park on Riverside Drive or at the Baker Hunt Foundation at 620 Greenup St. in Covington. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Information: For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, call (859) 581-0165.

E-mail cschroeder@enquirer.com