Mount Auburn

Mount Auburn was once home to Cincinnati's wealthy elite. These homes reflected a variety of architectural styles, including Greek Revival. One of the homes built in the Greek Revival style has been restored to much of its former elegance; the house, located on Auburn Avenue, was the boyhood home of William Howard Taft (the only man to serve as both US chief justice and president). The home is now the William Howard Taft National Historic Site and is operated by the National Park Service, it is free to visit and well worth the trip. It once was a large farm estate, as were many of the homes in this area. Today, the house stands on a small lot. Right behind the property is the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center.

The Taft house, however, is the exception these days, as much of the Mount Auburn area is taken up by medical facilities and doctors offices. One of the major medical facilities, The Christ Hospital, located on Auburn Avenue, recently announced a $265 million dollar planned expansion and improvement to its existing facilities. One of the expansion projects is to build a facility dedicated to orthopedic and spine care. The streets around the campus of The Christ Hospital are filled with a variety of medical clinics and offices. So, medical care in this area is definitely not a problems. For years, I've gone to the Cincinnati Dental Services located on McMillan Street at Auburn Avenue.

There are a number of parks in Mount Auburn and a recreation center on Southern Avenue. The Mount Auburn Recreation Center offers low cost annual memberships to community members and offers swimming pools, fitness center, outdoor basketball, a playground, and much more.

While there are some homes in Mount Auburn that are on the lower end of the pricing scale, most of the properties are more expensive than in some of the surrounding areas. One of the nice things about homes in this area is that you can find a variety of properties to choose from. There are many older homes, townhomes, row houses, condos, and mid-century single family homes. There is some new construction along McMillan, which is mostly geared towards the students attending nearby University of Cincinnati. A trendy area in this neighborhood is the Prospect Hill/Liberty Hill area filled with many rehabbed townhomes, condos, and rentals. It is located just outside of the Mount Auburn Historic District and is distinct because of its particularly steep terrain. Be warned if you rely on public transportation, buses have been known to have problems traveling in this area when roads are icy.

Because of its proximity to Downtown, major medical facilities, the University of Cincinnati, and I-71, Mount Auburn is a highly convenient location with easy access to area attractions, businesses, and shopping districts. Mount Auburn is also home to two local television stations, as well as God's Bible School and College. If you like urban living in a unique setting, then Mount Auburn is the place for you.

Mt Auburn is a hilltop neighborhood with roots that go back to 1819 when Cincinnati's elite began settling there because of its fabulous homes and city view. Today it's an area in transition. If you weave in and out of it's web of narrow streets, you'll find homes that are fabulous, ordinary and aging, and even a bible college.

As with many neighborhoods that are close to town, aging Mt. Auburn homes are being reclaimed by adventurous new owners who are refurbishing them to their original beauty. The city has issued conservation guidelines for the Auburn Ave. Historic district. That's where you'll find the well-preserved, two-story Greek Revival home where President William Howard Taft was born. The location is now a National Park Service historic location.

Parks and Recreation
-Mount Auburn Recreation Center on Southern Ave. offers boxing, a gymnasium, indoor handicap accessible warm water pool, basketball court and other facilities.
-There are several small neighborhood parks: Filson Overlook , Jackson Hill Park and Hopkins Park.
-Inwood Park is larger and located on Vine St. several blocks up from Over the Rhine. It has a public pool, wade pool and a pavilion built in 1910.
-The Losantiville Triangle at Reading and Burnett has public tennis courts.

Medical facilities
Auburn Avenue is not just the historic main street in Mt. Auburn, it has medical office buildings, counseling services, Planned Parenthood and Christ Hospital, a major medical facility.

Unique Schools
-Mount Auburn International Academy: www.maia-sabis.net/
-William Howard Taft Elementary School, Cincinnati Public Schools
-Aldersgate Christian Academy, 1810 Young St.
-God's Bible School and College, 1810 Young St: http://www.gbs.edu/

Restaurants and Bars
Graeter's Ice Cream located at 2145 Reading Road

For shopping, Mount Auburn is minutes away from Downtown, adjacent to Coreyville's shopping areas and near Clifton's McMillan/Calhoun business district.

I've never had a problem walking down Auburn Avenue in broad daylight, but based on City-Data crime statistics, the neighborhood has a higher than average crime index. Be cautious coming and going.