Carthage

Carthage is small community that most people just pass through unless they are attending an event at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. It is a diverse neighborhood with a growing Hispanic population. There are a number of businesses and community services and events that reflect the Hispanic population in Carthage. Not only are the Hamilton County Fairgrounds home to the the Hamilton County Fair every August, but they also host the Cincinnati Hispanic Festival every September; Cincinnati's longest running event celebrating Latino culture.

Housing in Carthage is reasonably priced for average single-family homes. There is some new construction, but most of the homes are older. The business district is hit or miss with limited shopping and few dining options. There are, however, a few gems, such as El Valle Verde and Andy's Cafe on the food side and Parsley Pottery Studio & Gallery on the shopping side.

Traffic can be quite heavy on Vine Street as it is one of the main surface streets going through the Cincinnati area. The intersection of Paddock and Vine can be especially hairy because of the number of streets coming together in this area. Also, Paddock Road is a major exit off Interstate 75, making Carthage a conveniently accessed neighborhood.

The Carthage Civic League meets monthly and is one of the oldest community councils in Cincinnati. The Carthage Community Center offers a fitness membership to community members for reasonable monthly rates. Senior activities are offered twice week at the Community Center. There is also a community garden for residents to grow their own plots. Caldwell Park is a large park located off North Bend Road, it offers a spray park at the playground during the summer months.

When I think of Carthage I think of Hamilton County Fairgrounds.... and cars. There have always been car dealers along Vine St. although most of the names have changed over the years.

The one Carthage constant is the “..big Indian sign..” It's a taller-than-a-building statue of an Indian that was originally placed there by Cherokee motors. For years that Indian has been watching over the big tangled intersection where Vine St. meets Paddock meets North Bend just beyond I-75. It's a big awkward merge that keeps Carthage traffic a little crazy at rush hour.

Beyond Vine the streets are lined with older homes. They're not fancy and not very valuable, but most are easily accessible from from I-75.

Businesses in Carthage
Even if cars aren't the main industry in Carthage, it sure seems that way. You'll find other businesses like roofers and movers and a few factories, but mostly you'll see used car lots, buy here-pay here lots and a few empty car lots. There are also auto auctions at the fairgrounds and used parts retailers like Carthage Auto Parts.

What is there to do in Carthage?
Carthage has a few neighborhood bars like Andy's Cafe. There's a United Dairy Farmers if you simply must have ice cream and a White Castle if you need to make a late night slider run.

There are a few big events at the fair grounds, like the annual Cincinnati Hispanic Festival and the Hamilton County Fair. But that's pretty much it for Carthage entertainment.

Parks and Recreation
Caldwell Nature Preserve is on North Bend Rd at the edge of Hartwell. The park has a nature Center, amphitheater and nature trails.

Schools
Carthage Paideia Academy Elementary School, K – 7, 125 W North Bend Rd

Medical Facilities
There are no hospitals, but several are less than a 15 minute drive away.