College Hill

College Hill is a diverse community and Cincinnati's fourth largest neighborhood. Hamilton Avenue, US Route 127, is the main artery passing through College Hill. College Hill is a neighborhood with a strong sense of community, reasonable home prices, and tree lined streets. It is bordered to the the North by hipster friendly neighborhood, North College Hill, which is not part of the City of Cincinnati. At one time College Hill was home to two different colleges hence the name of the community.

College Hill has some beautiful older homes on larger lots, making it a great residential community. While the homes in the community are architecturally diverse, many of them are designed in the Tudor style, which seems to have been a very popular style in many older Cincinnati neighborhoods. There are several parks in College Hill, Fox Preserve on the western side of the community and Laboiteaux Woods to the eastern side of the community.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital has a campus in College Hill. A unique business in College Hill is the Six Acres Bed & Breakfast located on a beautifully landscaped wooded lot in a house that was one of the stops on the underground railroad. There are a variety of small businesses along Hamilton Avenue, but not a real shopping district. There are a lot of churches in College Hill, providing choices for all denominations to attend. There are several schools in the community both public and private, including Pleasant Hill Academy, Aiken and McCauley High Schools. Fortunately for College Hill residents, there are many more shopping, dining, and entertainment options in nearby North College Hill.

College Hill was originally settled in 1813; and like many older Cincinnati communities, some areas are in transition. Residents, business association and volunteers like Citizens on Patrol work together to keep the community moving forward. Homes are big and small, brick and frame, more old than new, but well maintained. The residents have a commitment to diversity and camaraderie. Collegehill.net describes it as an “..unmistakable sense of community among College Hill residents.”

Six Acres Bed and Breakfast on Hamilton Ave hill is an example of College Hill history. The home was built in the mid 1800s by Quaker abolitionist, Zebulon Strong, and was once a stop on the underground railroad. Twin Towers Life Enriching Community is on the west side of Hamilton Ave. Some buildings date back to 1899. At the top of the hill is a Cincinnati Children's Hospital residential facility. Llanfair Retirement Community is on Llanfair Ave.

Churches
There are 21 churches on the community website (collegehilloh.net/CHChurches.htm). St. Clare Parish on Cedar Ave. has been in the community for over 100 years. College Hill Presbyterian on Hamilton was organized in 1853.

Business District
Some of the shops on Hamilton Ave. shut their doors after years in business, but Schwartz's Jewelers stuck around for 73 years. LaRosa's has been on Hamilton a long time, as have Goodies Barbecue, Chung Ching Chinese, the soulful Shaker's Entertainment Center and others.

College Hill Coffee Company (collegehillcoffeeco.com/) at the corner of North Bend is a perfect spot to sit, sip, eat and watch traffic. They have free wi-fi and live entertainment on Saturdays night. College Hill Farmer's Market at 5742 Hamilton Avenue is open Thursdays 3:00-6:30 p. m. WAKW Christian radio station broadcasts from Collegevue Pl. For medical care, Mercy Mt Airy is less than 10 minutes away.

Cincinnati Public Schools
Pleasant Hill Academy Pre. – 8, 1350 W. North Bend Rd.
College Hill Fundamental Academy, Pre – 6, 1625 Cedar Ave.
Aiken University, College & Career High Schools, 5641 Belmont Ave.

Private Schools
McCauley High School, 6000 Oakwood and Eden Grove Academy, nondenominational (Pre-k – 8) Christian school, 6277 Collegevue.

Parks and Recreation
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission facility on Belmont Ave. has an indoor walking track, fitness facility, two gyms and classes with reasonable membership fees. There are also several small Cincinnati Parks.

College Hill is not for everyone, but if you have a commitment to diversity you'll fit right in.