Hamilton Ave, College Hill

Hamilton Avenue runs through a large portion of Cincinnati, but the portion that runs through College Hill runs from about Hollywood Avenue at the north end and about Ashtree Court on the south end. The main district that is the heart of College Hill runs just south of W. North Bend Road. Here you will find several shops, restaurants and other businesses in a very walkable area. Some of the businesses have been around for many years. Schwartz Jewelers has been in business for over 70 years and offers a wide selection of jewelry, decorative, and other items.

The area of Hamilton Avenue that is north of W. North Bend is primarily residential. The homes in this area are primarily nice, middle class, single-family homes of decent size with yards, driveways, and plenty of trees. There are some small multi-unit buildings in this area, as well. There are sidewalks running along both sides of Hamilton Avenue and plenty of bus stops. Traffic on Hamilton Avenue can be very busy, especially during rush hour times.

South of the central business district that is just south of W. North Bend, you will find more businesses that are a little more spread out, but still walkable. Along this stretch of Hamilton Avenue is the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company (CBTC), a non-profit theater whose mission is to "keep alive the spirit of Black Theatre." CBTC offers a variety of opportunities, besides just theater performances; they offer education, workshops, summer camps and after school programs, as well. A little further down Hamilton Avenue, you will find Summit Academy School. Summit is a non-profit school for alternative learners. Summit is a school to specifically work with students who have AD/HD, Asperger's Syndrome and similar disorders offered all for free for those qualified to attend.

As indicative of its name, College Hill is, indeed, on a hill. So, as you proceed south on Hamilton Avenue, you will be heading downhill. As you head down Hamilton Avenue, the area becomes residential again. There are a number of smaller apartment buildings on one side of the street while the other side sees many larger homes spaced out on larger lots. The homes reflect a variety of architectural styles and many of the homes here are very large and lovely. The area also gets a lot greener as you are closer to Mount Airy Forest. However, as you descend on Hamilton Avenue you will find the Twin Towers retirement complex, with its distinctive and imposing central building. The Twin Towers campus is set off of Hamilton Avenue in a wooded setting. Opposite of Twin Towers on the other side of Hamilton Avenue is the Six Acres Bed & Breakfast and Laboiteaux Woods. Six Acres B&B is located on six lovely landscaped acres off of Hamilton Avenue in a home built in the mid-1800s that once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Laboiteaux Woods offers over two miles of walking trails, a small nature center, and a library offering education nature programs.

Overall, Hamilton Avenue in College Hill runs the gamut of diversity in both terms of business and residential, as well as the residents of the community. While traffic can be heavy due to Hamilton Avenue being a main connector road in Cincinnati, it still offers nice residential areas and lots of trees. Hamilton Avenue also offers easy access to most of the Cincinnati area via it's connection to I-75/I-74 at the south end and Ronald Reagan Highway to the north (both just outside of the College Hill neighborhood.)

Hamilton Ave. is the main strip that runs through College Hill. There are a variety of well maintained, older homes as well as large and small apartment complexes all along Hamilton. As you travel the street, you will understand what Cincinnati residents mean when they talk about the neighborhood's diversity. You'll see a mix of people walking the street and a variety of building styles and businesses.

On the hill-- before you even get into the heart of the community-- you'll pass Six Acres Bed and Breakfast in a building that used to be a former stop on the Underground Railroad. You'll also notice historic Twin Towers, the distinctive center of a large retirement community that began in 1899. Children's Hospital has an off site location on Hamilton and you'll see several historic churches. Grace Episcopal Church welcomes "...people of diverse ages, colors, orientations and national origins..." They also hold Yoga and ballet classes. College Hill Presbyterian hosts an annual arts and craft event each November.

Shopping, dining and entertainment
The rest of the strip is filled with mix of shops, restaurants and other businesses. They're neither grand nor elegant, but they are all operated by hard working entrepreneurs who put their hearts into their businesses. Bacall's Cafe, College Hill Coffee Company, LaRosa's, Chung Ching, Goodies Barbecue, and Marty's Hops and Vines are the local eateries.

There are a few shops as well, including Scwartz's jeweler's that's been in business for 73 years. Shaker's bar caters to the soulful side of the neighborhood. The College Hill Farmer's Market operates from May and runs through the fall at 5742 Hamilton Ave. They sell fruits, veggies and other items and offer a schedule of entertainment and events: http://collegehillfarmmarket.org

There are several options for schools in College Hill, including 2 Cincinnati Public Schools, Eden Grove nondenominational Christian schools and MCauley Catholic High School for girls. Mercy Hospital is a 5 minute drive away. Two bus routes travel through College Hill.