One of Hamilton’s most flourishing and energetic neighborhoods
Out of all 17 neighborhoods that make up the city of Hamilton, one of the most active and engaged is Lindenwald. The name Lindenwald is of German descent, meaning “forest of linden trees”. Occupying approximately 2.78 square miles, this historic area is nestled in the southernmost part of the city, with Grand Blvd., Dixie Hwy., the Great Miami River, and the city of Fairfield serving as distinct neighborhood boundaries.
Up until the late 19th century, the Lindenwald area was mostly farmland classified as a village in Fairfield Township. It was annexed to the city of Hamilton in 1908, where it then became known as the 6th Ward. Development of the farmland began when the land was purchased by developers, and sectioned off into buildable lots. Initially, those lots were utilized by factory workers, but the land later provided service members with homes upon their return from WWII.
The neighborhood has always maintained a steady tribute to its roots through the naming of the streets within its borders. Many of the streets were named for former Ohio governors (Tiffin, Bishop, and Hayes), local landowners (Neilan, Van Hook, and Symmes), or land developers (Benninghofen, Fitton, and Hammond).
While the streets play their role in the history of the neighborhood, so do some of the local businesses. Some local establishments have cemented their place in Lindenwald’s history, such as Sweden Crème which first opened in the 1950s.
True to its traditional neighborhood classification, Lindenwald boasts numerous parks, including the city’s largest park (Joyce Park) and Benninghofen Park complete with one of the city’s splash pads. The western side of the neighborhood is lined by the Riverside Natural Area and a portion of the Miami River Trail, making it very walkable and appealing.
As the most populated neighborhood in the city, with 10,218 people at last count, Lindenwald has a flourishing and energetic neighborhood committee called PROTOCOL (People Reaching out To Others Celebrate Our Lindenwald). Headed up by Frank Downie, a 65-year Lindenwald resident and 17Strong board member representing the Lindenwald neighborhood, PROTOCOL holds monthly meetings on the 3rd Monday of the month, at 6:30 PM. Locations do vary, but the community organization maintains an active Facebook page that relays those locations each month.
“Chairing PROTOCOL is both a privilege and an honor,” Frank explained. “The issues with which we deal are no different from those any neighborhood/city endure, but the opportunity to lead a city sanctioned effort to engage, and more importantly empower the very residents affected by the issues is a unique challenge.”
As one of the most engaged neighborhoods, it is evident that Lindenwald residents care about their community and their impact on the city as a whole.
“Our family moved to Lindenwald six years ago, renting at first and eventually buying a house last year,” said Zeb Acuff. “We love the traditional neighborhood atmosphere with sidewalks, parks, and houses close to the street. We also appreciate how engaged many of the residents are in keeping Lindenwald an attractive place to live.”
Not only are the residents engaged with the neighborhood, but the neighborhood reciprocates those efforts. For example, each year, the Lindenwald United Methodist Church hosts a community Easter egg hunt, and a trunk or treat event for Halloween. Heaven Sent puts on a visit with Santa in December, and every fall, the Hamilton Conservation Corps holds a neighborhood cleanup for the Riverside Natural Area as part of their Clean Sweep of the Great Miami River initiative.
Lindenwald is a place where couples move to start out their lives, but they love it so much they never leave. The neighbors in the Wald truly look out for one another, with many of those relationships having been built from the close-knit community generations back.
“I still count some of my best friends among individuals whom I met because our parents, and in some cases our grandparents, were acquaintances,” said Frank. “In the 20th century, we were a community bound together by strong churches, schools, and a business district where you could find any product or service. You lived among your neighbors, and you shopped among your neighbors.”
Going into this year, Lindenwald’s motivated residents have taken it upon themselves to create positive change. In addition to rehabbing older properties and increasing activity in the neighborhood parks, there is also a growing interest to revive the Lindenwald Civic Association. The goal in doing so is to bring new business and opportunity to the vacant storefronts in the community, and to reinvigorate what was once a thriving business district.
To get more involved in your neighborhood, take the first step and start a conversation with a neighbor, or reach out to 17Strong via your neighborhood representative or the easy to use website, www.17stronghamilton.org
