Finneytown

If Finneytown can be the inspiration for a billion-dollar snack product, imagine what it can do for you. There’s some debate on exactly how Pringle chips were named, but the main theory is that Pringle Drive in Finneytown inspired the Procter and Gamble executives who invented the chips.

The neighborhood was largely rural and full of farmland until the 1950s. At that time, subdivisions started popping up and many of the homes in the area were built over the next two decades. Located just north of Cincinnati, Finneytown is a mostly residential neighborhood that’s showing signs of development. Streets lined with verdant trees and green lawns are home to Craftsman, Cape Cod and ranch-style houses that range in price from $200,000 to about $400,000. While those styles dominate the landscape, it’s not unusual to find other types of homes, most notably mid-century modern houses. Although most homes are single-family, there are several high-rise buildings popping up on the edges of the neighborhood, closer to the North College Hill area.

The neighborhood is home to the Finneytown Local School District which has an overall Niche rating of C. Students may begin their education at Finneytown Elementary School, rated C-plus by Niche, then head to Finneytown Secondary Campus, which has a student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 and a Niche rating of B-minus. For families seeking a private option, St. Xavier High School is the largest private high school in the state and is rated A-plus by Niche.

Even with the development that it’s seen, Finneytown is still a mostly residential neighborhood. You’ll find most commercial activity along Winton Road between Galbraith Road and Reynard Avenue. You’ll find most of your everyday necessities such as the Kroger grocery store in this area. There are also several pharmacies, gas stations, and restaurants around here. Mi Cozumel Cantina is a highly rated local Mexican restaurant. Regional chain pizza restaurants include Donato's and Larosa's. The local watering hole Lucky Turtle features more than 20 beers on tap.

Stephanie Hummer Memorial Park offers plenty of space for recreation. The park is built on land donated by a local family in memory of their daughter and features three different sized soccer fields for local youth leagues. Caldwell Nature Preserve is another popular park that offers walking trails through old-growth forest. On North Bend Road heading out of the neighborhood is the Caldwell Nature Preserve and Center. This park is home to a mix of old growth forest and some newer plantings. It features 3.5 miles of nature trails, most of which are rated as easy. The trails feature several bridges across the terrain and a few stream crossings. There is also an amphitheater and a nature center in the park. The park puts on several programs, such as day camps, overnight adventures for Girl Scouts and various workshops, like making maple syrup. A new hospital is being built on Galbraith Road, bringing medical care closer to home for neighborhood residents. Town officials say the hospital is the largest economic development in the neighborhood in more than 30 years.

Every year residents of Finneytown can take a trip to Greece without leaving the neighborhood. Holy Trinity – St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church hosts Panegyri, a Greek festival bringing in visitors from across Cincinnati. Loosely translated, Panegyri means “festival for everyone.” Event organizers pride themselves on that inclusivity and enjoy putting on the festival for anyone interested in the food or culture. The festival features Greek food, music, dancing and cultural lessons. Admission is only $3 per person, and children ages 12 and under get in for free. There is also free parking and a shuttle at St. Xavier High School.

Written By

Matthew Atkins

Photography Contributed By

Jonathan Dean

Video By

Paris Lape