Main image courtesy of Downtown Hamilton.

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Hamilton, the second largest city in the Greater Cincinnati area, is also the tenth largest city in the entire state of Ohio at approximately 21.89 sq mi. As of 2020, the population in Hamilton was about 63, 399. 

Hamilton, located in present day Butler county,  was originally called Fort Hamilton when it was constructed in the late 1700s. The name “Hamilton” was to honor Alexander Hamilton, who was the first Secretary of the Treasury. The town originally served as a supply station for troops during the Northwest Indian War. 

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Historical Landmarks 

Hamilton is home to three main historical districts: Dayton Lane, German Village, and Rossville. Hamilton is also home to the Butler County Historical Society.

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Dayton Lane

Listed on The National Register of Historic Places in 1985, the Dayton-Lane Historic District represents the residential neighborhood for Hamilton’s most influential industrialists at the turn of the last century. There are more than 200 individual structures which represent a variety of different architectural styles from the last part of the 19th century. 

In the late 1870s and 1880s, there was an industrialization of the district with many new industries moving somewhere else or being founded in the town of Hamilton. These industries were attracted by the location of inexpensive land and water power. The Dayton Lane area, located east of the majority of these new industries, exemplified  a prime location for the founders and managers of these different companies.

Love all things spooky? If you happen to be around the Hamilton area during the month of October, this should give you even more of a reason to stop by Dayton Lane. Each year, an annual ghost walk is held where you get the chance to hear scary ghost tales from residents who have lived there previously and residents who live there now. 

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German Village

German Village is a nine-block historic district located just a little bit north of Hamilton's central business district and adjacent to the Great Miami River. The village has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991. It was also the very first residential development outside of Fort Hamilton. German Village showcases a wide variety of 19th century architectural styles that include Queen Anne, Italianate, Eastlake and Gothic Revival. Before this village was built, the surrounding neighborhood was home to both prominent businessmen and laborers. By the 1940's, a wave of German immigrants had arrived and the nearby hydraulic canal had been completed. 

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Popular events that happen around German Village:

• German Village Christmas Walk
• Hamilton German Village Community Garage Sale
• Cocktails & Cabaret 

Rossville 

Rossville Historic District is a registered historic district in Hamilton, Ohio, that is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places as of 1975. The district contains over 100 buildings.

The neighborhood of Rossville is located on the west side of the Great Miami River, straight across from downtown Hamilton. South D Street is where you can see lots of large mansions, and Ross Avenue is where you can find other stately homes.  Large mansions line South 'D' Street and other stately homes line Ross Avenue. The Rossville Historic Preservation Organization, which was founded in 1974, schedules a variety of different preservation activities in the neighborhood. One of the most popular events held by the neighborhood is the Rossville Home and Garden Tour. These events are held every other year, and you get the chance to visit the many homes and lush gardens in the neighborhood.

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Nearby Cities in Butler County

Hamilton is a part of Butler county, which is home to 9 other cities/municipalities. Learn a little bit more about them and where they’re located!

West Chester Township

West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio is the largest of Butler County municipalities. It’s not just the most populated city of Butler County, Ohio townships, it’s the largest township in all of Ohio. West Chester has also been ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. Wester Chester is known for great schools, parks, along with excellent shopping and dining options. 

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Middletown

Middletown, the second largest of Butler County cities,  is approximately35 miles north of Cincinnati in both Warren and Butler counties.The city offers a great location between Cincinnati and Dayton for great employment opportunities. Middletown is also an ideal place to raise a family. This is because of the overall low cost of living in the area. Check out attractions such as the beautiful Smith Park, Skateway Middletown, and the Land of Illusion Adventure Park.

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Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is the third largest city in Butler County, Ohio and the fourth largest municipality. Fairfield is located in Hamilton and Warren counties, about 25 miles north of Cincinnati on the Great Miami River. Fairfield holds over 300 acres of outdoor entertainment, sports facilities, and recreation including the adventurous Waterworks Park and William Harbin Park for mountain biking, disc golf, and hiking, and the Fairfield Fun Center for mini golf.

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Liberty Township

One of the wealthiest townships in all of Butler County is Liberty Township, with a median household income of more than $120,000. It’s also the second most populated township in the county, even though it is the smallest. Liberty Township is one of the best places to live in Greater Cincinnati with one of the region’s best school districts, a variety of different job opportunities, and excellent recreation. The city is also home to Fort Liberty Playground, several golf courses and country clubs, a paintball center, and Liberty Center which is one of the region’s top shopping/entertainment complexes.

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Oxford

Oxford is one of the top college towns in Greater Cincinnati. The city is home to Miami University, which is one of the oldest universities in the country. Along with the school, Oxford offers lots to do including Yager Stadium, Goggin Ice Center, and the Oxford Community Park with an aquatic center and public pool.

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Fairfield Township

Fairfield Township is one of the largest townships in Butler County, Ohio. The city is surrounded by other cities of Fairfield and Hamilton and Liberty, West Chester, Ross, New Miami, Madison, and St. Clair Township, Ohio, Fairfield offers an excellent quality of life as one of the wealthiest areas in Butler County. Fairfield Township is most known for the Rentschler Forest MetroPark with playgrounds and excellent views of the river. 

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Monroe

Monroe is located in Warrant and other east-central Butler counties. Monroe is also one of the smallest cities in Butler County, and is well known for being a wealthy community and the fastest growing in the entire county of Butler. Monroe is best known for the Traders World Flea Market and the Cincinnati Premium Outlets mall. 

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Trenton

The city of Trenton is located next to Middletown in northeastern Butler County. This small, residential city has one of the highest rates of high school and college graduates in the county, yet it’s one of the youngest cities in the area with a median household income higher than the state average. Residents enjoy a low cost of living with fairly affordable housing, great parks, and regular community events. 

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Ross Township 

Even though Ross Township is one of the largest municipalities in Butler County, OH, the municipality has a population of less than 10,000. Most of the population lives in an area of the township that’s unincorporated. Ross Township offers more of a country environment, and acts as a gateway to many popular parks and entertainment in the area such as the Stricker’s Grove amusement park that is nearby. 

If you plan on visiting the Greater Cincinnati area sometime soon, remember to check out Hamilton. Learn some history, shop, and eat at some excellent dining options!

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