Hanover

Perched between Hamilton and Oxford, Hanover Township is a rural, natural retreat in the Ohio countryside. This community is one of 13 townships in Butler County, and the 8,000-resident neighborhood is known for scenic farmland, a small-town vibe and nostalgia-invoking attractions. “It’s very scenic and peaceful,” says Kathryn Rawlinson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Travel Butler County. “Where we’re located, there’s that Midwestern welcoming spirit, and it’s nestled in a rural section of Butler County, so it’s a nice place to settle.” Hanover offers single-family, ranch-style homes, split-levels, bungalows, Craftsman-style houses and expansive horse and farm properties on the outskirts. Most homes were built in the mid-1990s and early 2000s, ranging from $65,000 to $725,000. Hanover homes boast multi-car garages, spacious lawns for gardening or agricultural activities and immaculately kept yards ranging from an acre to 50 acres of sprawling pastures. Amenities are just a quick 5-mile drive, and by hopping on U.S. Route 27, residents can access the Miami University Airport in 10 miles, Kettering Health Hamilton Hospital in 6 miles and downtown Cincinnati in roughly 30 miles. <br><br>Served by the Talawanda City School District, students attend Maude Marshall Elementary School, Talawanda Middle School and Talawanda High School. Both Maude Marshall and Talawanda Middle earned a B-minus on Niche. The elementary school offers a mock trial camp, Camp Read-a-Lot and an annual art show. Ranked by Niche as the No. 4 best high school in the county and earning an overall B, the high school holds titles in girls’ and boys’ basketball, a liberal arts magazine and electives in pastry arts, anthropology and botany. <br><br>At the 18-acre Hanover Township Memorial Park in the center of the neighborhood, you can picnic in the gazebo, walk the trail, or let the kids climb aboard a wooden train, ship or truck to play. It also has a Veterans’ Memorial portion with bricks to honor its veteran community. “Residents can purchase a brick to include here at the park for $35,” Rawlinson added. Or practice your golf swing at Indian Ridge Golf Club or Twin Run Golf Course. Residents are treated to beautifully maintained grass fairways, crystal blue lakes and evergreens as far as the eye can see at Indian Ridge, an 18-hole course perfect for seasoned or beginner golfers. After a round, stop by for a snack and cold pint at 19th Hole Grill. <br><br>Grab a unicorn sprinkle donut or Nutella-filled treat at Mimi’s Lil’ Kitchen, a stop on the Butler County Donut Trail. “There are 13 mom and pop donut shops along the Butler County Donut Trail,” Rawlinson says. “You get a passport stamped and a t-shirt, and people really seem to love that.” Or head to Hanover Winery to sip on any of their 25 wines paired with charcuterie. “They’re award-winning and host a lot of different festivals and events here,” she says. Being a small area, Rawlinson says most Hanover residents travel the 5 miles into downtown Hamilton for amenities. “They’ve got a good location and a lot of restaurants and boutiques,” she says. Along Hamilton's Main Street, you'll find a Kroger, a movie theater, LaRosa's Pizza, a gym and Mad Mike's Burgers & Fries, to name a few. While most amenities are here, Hanover residents can get essentials at the neighborhood Dollar General or My IGA Express. For a step back in time, hit the Holiday Auto Theatre, a drive-in movie theater enveloped with the Ohio rolling hills where you can catch a double feature under the stars from April to October. “It's great and has a retro-looking nostalgic concession stand, where you can get a big bucket of popcorn; it’s very popular,” says Rawlinson. “There aren’t many in existence left, and we’re lucky to have it.”<br><br>A tight-knit neighborhood, the township hosts a variety of events to engage residents, including a Kid’s Fest in June, a car and wine event in August, the Hanover Haunted Harvest in October and a Veterans’ Day Memorial Service in November, all held at Hanover Park. <br><br>A peaceful, rural lifestyle awaits in Hanover.