Winton Place

I lived in Winton Place a few years back. It's a close community of small and large older homes, some of historical significance. As of the last census, there were 1,964 residents, a population with the kind of true diversity that you don't see in most Cincinnati neighborhoods. The Spring Grove Village community council works together with residents to keep the neighborhood a safe and interesting place to live. They share a community garden, publish a newsletter and have a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sgv.cincy).

The council addresses issues before they have a chance to get out of hand. They were a key force in changing the neighborhood's name back to the original Spring Grove Village. They wanted to divest themselves of the mistaken negative association with nearby Winton Terrace, a large housing development known for its crime problem.

In dealing with negative associations, they probably should add the nearby chemical company to the list. It took a fire department response to what the news identified as a “...hydrochloric acid spill” about five years ago before I understood the nature of the problem. The "spill" came with a stronger version of the slightly pungent scent I'd been noticing in the air several times a week.

Historic places
Spring Grove Village is next door to historic Spring Grove Cemetery. There are also a few churches and residences in the neighborhood that were designed by architect Samuel Hannaford and his firm, best known for designing Music Hall, City Hall and many other buildings with historic designations.

In 1865, Samuel Hannaford built his own residence at 768 Derby Ave. in Spring Grove Village. He also designed the Spring Grove Mortuary Chapel in 1881, Winton Place Methodist Church on Epworth (1884) and Westwood United Methodist Church on Epworth (1896.) Most of these Spring Grove Village buildings are on the National Historic Register.

Shopping and Entertainment
While there is plenty of history in Spring Grove Village, there's little shopping or entertainment. For groceries, many Spring Grove Village residents make a quick trip to Kenard Ave. a few minutes away. There's a Kroger, a Family Dollar, a small Chinese Restaurant and several fast food outlets.

Recreation
Mt Airy Forest and Winton Woods are about 15 to 20 minutes away. The Cincinnati Zoo is a 10 minute drive with no traffic.

Schools
Parker Woods Montessori, formerly Winton Montessori (wintonmontessori.cps-k12.org) is on Spring Grove. Roger Bacon (www.rogerbacon.org ) is a coed Franciscan High school about 10 minutes away in St Bernard. University of Cincinnati, Xavier University and Cincinnati State are about 15 minutes away.

Medical facilities
University, VA and Children's Hospitals are about a 15 minute drive.