10/30/2026
One of our favorite supernatural sites in Cincinnati has no ghosts or monsters, but rather is the joyful home of a powerful magical simulacrum.
The most notorious application of this magical practice are curse dolls, in which specially enchanted models are manipulated in order to negatively impact the target. More generally, the idea underlies everything from homeopathy to astrology, and is a foundational tenet of Western Esotericism. All aspects of the universe, it states, are layered representations, and to manipulate one level is to cause echoes above and below.
We don’t know whether the “Cincinnati in Motion” diorama at Cincinnati Museum Center was created with magical intent, but we do know that small additions of mortar, sand, and wood from downtown locations started almost immediately after its installation.
Now, after decades of subtle modifications and powered by the love of thousands of model train enthusiasts, it is a potent artifact to keep the city safe and to push it towards a bright future.
We’re making this post on Devil’s Night, a date most relevant to Detroit residents that “celebrated” the epidemic of downtown arson that plagued the city in the late 20th century. It is a grim example of what can happen when people give up on their city. (The story of how citizen patrols composed of brave residents ended that tradition is an inspiring example in the other direction.)
You don’t have to believe in magic to recognize the importance of civic pride and of urban preservation.
We hope that Cincinnati in Motion endures for centuries, and helps to inspire us all to protect our community.
