Hyde Park was first known as Morington in the late 1700s, composed of narrow, mud streets. It became a village in 1892, and was named after the gorgeous Hyde Park in New York.
What once were streets busy with horses drawn carriages were replaced in the early 1900s with streetcars. “The heart of Hyde Park is the Hyde Park Square, which encompasses a 2-block area of Erie Avenue.” In 1900, Charles Kilgour donated the Kilgour Fountain to the people of Hyde Park. The Bronze fountain was restored in 1976, and is the heart of Hyde Park. Now, Hyde Park is a bustling community with almost 18,000 residents.
“Hyde Park values education: 95% of the neighborhood’s residents over age 25 have a high school diploma, and at least 70% have a bachelor’s degree, according to the American Planning Association. The neighborhood also has 175 shops, restaurants and other businesses.
Hyde Park Location
Hyde Park is located along I-71, within 10 minutes of downtown Cincinnati and Kenwood Towne Center. It is typically thought of as a more upscale neighborhood, yet has a great balance and is “pedestrian-friendly”, according to Cincy.com. According to Forbes.com, Hyde Park is one of America’s Best Neighborhoods. According to Cincy.com, Hyde Park is a “trendy meeting place for young professionals, a thriving business district and a favorite area for joggers, Hyde Park is a clean, upscale neighborhood with a good balance between offering a cozy, village feel while at the same time supplying all the amenities of a modern commercial area.” Hyde Park is located close to Norwood, Oakley and Mt. Lookout.
Hyde Park Schools
Hyde Park School, located at 3401 Edwards Road, offers three programs for students in grades PreK-6. First, the early childhood program “provides quality, comprehensive programs and collaborative services that support young children and families for lifelong learning.
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program recognizes that all children can learn and acquire knowledge, primarily through playful interactions with materials and people in their environment.
The learning environment encourages creative exploration with a balance of child- and adult-initiated, age-appropriate activities. The program also recognizes the home and community as valuable resources. Staff and parents work together in the development of culturally sensitive curriculum.” Secondly, they offer a neighborhood program for children in grades K-2. Some of the features include: Full day preschool and kindergarten; Latin, Art, Music and P.E.; access to computers for students. Parents are encouraged to be involved. They also offer the Cincinnati Gifted Academy for students in grades 3-6. The academy focuses on differentiated instruction, problem-based learning and a focus on the whole child in a rigorous environment.
The school is very technologically sound and offers great opportunities for parents to be involved in their children’s education. According to the school’s report card, in 2013, “95.7% of the students passed the state test, and 100% of the students met the indicators given by the state.”
The Cincinnati Public High School that serves Hyde Park is Withrow University High School. In 2013, over 75% of the students passed the state test, and the school has almost a 90% graduation rate. Withrow has been in existence since 1919, and has many renovations that make it a school for 21st century students. Students look professional because they wear uniforms every day to school. The clock tower of the school is a historical landmark in the community of Hyde Park.
Clark Montessori is another public school in Hyde Park, which has a unique philosophy of education for its students. The school’s mission states that the school “seeks the highest and most complete academic environment for each student and to form a human community that nurtures an atmosphere of caring and sets a thoughtful social climate. We strive to be a community of adults and teenagers who respect each other’s deepest personal and human qualities.” 82% of Clark’s students passed the last state test, and according to School Digger,” In 2013, Clark Montessori High School ranked better than 70.7% of high schools in Ohio. It also ranked first among 4 ranked high schools in the Cincinnati City School District!” School Digger also says that at Clark, “the student/teacher ratio is 15, which is the 2nd best among 4 high schools in the Cincinnati City School District.”
Springer School and Center “provides the only school in the region devoted entirely to the education of children with learning disabilities. Through its outreach programs, parents and professionals develop an understanding of learning disabilities and the most effective means to address them.”
When opened, Springer was a Cathedral school for the Archdiocese, but since 1981, the school has been located on Madison Road’s 6-acre campus, serving the community of Hyde Park well. Two hundred students in grades K-8 attend Springer, with a 1:8 teacher student ratio. Tuition is currently $22,000, but scholarships are available though the John Peterson Special Needs Scholarship fund.
Kilgour Elementary, according to School Digger, “ranked better than 92.5% of elementary schools in Ohio. It also ranked first among 30 ranked elementary schools in the Cincinnati City School District.” The school has been rated “Excellent with Distinction” and was the first Cincinnati Public School to earn this title. In addition, Kilgour has received the National Blue Ribbon Award two times. If you’d like to tour this school, they offer the opportunity every first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. Kilgour earned an “A” on their report card for testing scores.
St. Mary’s is located in the heart of Hyde Park and was established in 1898. St. Mary’s has earned the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award three times. There are 492 students who attend the school, with a student: teacher ratio of 18:1. The school has a highly qualified teaching staff, in which “35 percent of our teachers hold Master’s Degrees or post-graduate credits. Every teacher is certified through the State of Ohio. All Religion teachers are certified catechists with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.”
Summit Country Day is “An independent, Catholic, coeducational, college-preparatory school, founded in 1890 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Campus: 24 acres in Hyde Park; 16-acre Athletic Complex off I-71.” This school has a little over 1,000 students enrolled, and 63% of the teaching staff has advanced degrees.
The ratio of teachers to students is 1: 9 and the school has a high focus on character building in preschool through 12th grade. Summit Country Day prides itself in having 100% of its students attending college after graduation. They are also proud of the fact that they have an “extensive use of technology to enhance teaching and learning: Smart Board technology; Apple and PC computers, laptops and tablets; state-of-the-art infrastructure for wireless technology; extensive software library.”
Hyde Park Parks and Recreation
“Providing picnic facilities, nature trails, and children’s play areas, Ault Park adds to its attractions with a splendid pavilion and lookout point and beautiful gardens. Ault is one of Southwest Ohio’s premiere parks and hosts events such as the Concours d’ Elegance Car Show, as well as summer dances and a community July 4th celebration. Its beautiful backdrop and pavilion make it popular for weddings and private parties. At around 224 acres, Ault Park also is one of the best parks in the city with which o observe the ancient geology of Cincinnati.”
“The Cincinnati Observatory is one of the most unique astronomical institutions in the United States. It is a fully functioning 19th century observatory used daily by the public and amateur astronomers, civic organizations, teachers and students, history buffs and science mavens. Located atop the rolling hills of Mt. Lookout, the Observatory is home to the world’s oldest telescope still in use nightly by the general public. Two handsome National Historic Landmark buildings and the beautiful grounds provide a serene, park-like setting while still being centrally located in the city of Cincinnati.” The observatory offers overnights for scout troops, class field trips and educational programs for the public. Becoming a member of the observatory allows you entrance to exclusive stargazing events throughout the year.
Wulsin Triangle, established in 1910, is a small park, near the Cincinnati Observatory, where pedestrians and vehicles can see the gorgeous flowers in bloom throughout the spring and summer months. A stone service building was erected in 1950 as a beautiful site at this quaint park.
Hyde Park Golf and Country Club has been a staple in Hyde Park since opening its doors in 1909. Its original location on Marburg Avenue was lost in a fire in 1911, but the new club was immediately built “facing Erie Avenue”. The Club recently celebrated 100 years. The club offers dining, tennis, swimming, fitness, golf, bowling and more.
Another secret of Hyde Park, hidden off of Erie Avenue, is the Hyde Park Tennis Club. The club is located within 1.5 miles of Hyde Park Square, “within walking distance of shops and restaurants.” The club doesn’t charge court fees, only the annual membership fee. The club offers lessons for groups or one person, on their clay courts which allow for a better game of tennis to be played. The clay courts are easier on the joints, are a “softer, cooler playing surface”, and allow for “more rallies”.
Hyde Park Special Events
Every Sunday, from mid-May through October, from 9:30-1:30, you can purchase your local produce from the Hyde Park Farmer’s Market. The market is located on Edwards Road, between Erie and Observatory. The market provides mainly organic food, and only from local farmers around the Tri-State area. The HPFM “ the famer/vendor an unparalleled opportunity to market to one of the most condensed residential and pedestrian-friendly areas in southern Ohio.”
The Hyde Park Art Show is held in October each year. It is the largest one-day art show in Greater Cincinnati. Most of the 207 exhibitors work locally in the Tri-State. The show features artists working in all small media including: painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fiber, crafts and multi-media.”
Sundays on the Square is where the fine folks of Hyde Park go to shop, eat and visit with people from the community. All 175 shops and restaurants are open every Sunday for visitors and locals alike.
Things that make Hyde Park special
Hyde Park Baptist Church began when a surgeon in George Washington’s Revolutionary War Army, Steven Gano, “took nine members of the pioneer settlement and formed the First Christian place of worship in the Northwest Territory. On January 20, 1790 the Columbia Baptist Church was established.” The church was moved to Hyde Park in 1904 and is a landmark in the community, serving people from all nations and walks of life.
The Miller Galleryis the oldest gallery in Cincinnati. “One of the most sought after exhibition venues in the region, Miller serves as a staging ground for” much of the art by local national and internationally recognized artists “working in all media.” The gallery is located on Erie Avenue in Hyde Park Square, and hosts events throughout the year for local, national and international artists.
The Echo is a local restaurant that offers home-cooked meals at reasonable prices. Opening originally in 1945, the Echo prides itself in keeping business booming with staples on the menu such as original-owner-Louise’s homemade pies by still using the original recipes. They also reach people of all ages because they have adapted their menu so that it allows for the health-conscious consumer to eat there as well. In addition, they recently have added spirits to the menu and allow patrons to order breakfast at anytime throughout the day. The Echo is a staple of Hyde Park.
The Wild Ginger is a quaint Asian Bistro located in “historic Hyde Park.” They offer a quiet dining environment with a plethora of lunch and dinner choices. They offer the “finest Thai and sushi choices”.
Teller’s of Hyde Park opened in October 1995. They are located “in the historic Hyde Park Savings and Loan building.” They are a local American cuisine restaurant and offer a large menu of unique choices. Recently remodeled, the bright skylights make the experience a fine one. The “expansive bar serves 30 beers on tap, 20 wines by the glass and over 120 bottle wines.” Tellers even has a “second story outdoor patio where you an enjoy a nice evening with someone special. One unique thing about the Teller’s dining experience is when you and your friends decide to spend an evening out, you can sit under the original “bank teller windows” or you can choose to dine in the “authentic bank vault” for a more “intimate setting.”
Hyde Park Homes For Sale
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