Rich History

The origin of the present Union-Miles neighborhood can be traced to the old village of Newburgh, which held the distinction of being the region’s largest settlement at the start of the 19th century. The nearby “village of Cleveland,” plagued by swampy conditions and an outbreak of malaria, was relegated to the status of a “small village on the lake about six miles from Newburgh” — a settlement which benefited from its location on higher ground.

Among the area’s first settlers were Judge James Kingsbury, who built a house and sawmill along the stream now known as Kingsbury Run near the present intersection of East 93rd and Union, and Charles Miles Sr., for whom a portion of the area was named. The present Miles Park Historic District (one block north of East 93rd and Miles) is the site of four institutional buildings and ten houses which date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Miles Park Library funded by Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) who is considered one of the richest people who ever lived. Learn More about out historic area.