Although the stone walls of the old Fort Mitchell have fallen on Dixie Highway, a plaque still commemorates its role in the Civil War. It was designed by General Ormsby M. Mitchel in the early 1860s with the goal of protecting Cincinnati from Confederate troops. The city of Fort Mitchell grew around the site; "Even though General Mitchel's last name is spelled with one "L," for whatever reason, our city has two. We don't know why," says Joe Christofield, the programs and communication coordinator for the city. "We were incorporated on February 14, 1910." Today, Fort Mitchell is home to nearly 9,000 people; there's a mix of century-old construction, new builds and small-town taverns spread across 3 square miles. Christofield says it's the type of place where people know one another by name and wave hello on the streets. "It's community-oriented here. The mayor, Jude Hehman, he shows up to all of our events." Cincinnati is about 6 miles away, a major center of employment on the other side of the Ohio River.
Fort Mitchell represents their Civil War heritage with this replica of a canon.
Fort Mitchell is a town with Civil War roots as shown on historical landmarks.
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Historic homes and new construction sell quickly
Fort Mitchell's neighborhoods have wide streets and tree-lined sidewalks. There's a variety of architectural styles within the city, from 1930s-era bungalows to mid-century ranch-style houses and New Traditionals. Older homes—many of which have features like front porches and dormer windows—border Dixie Highway, whereas newer subdivisions sit farther away. Price points vary dramatically; most single-family homes fall between $300,000 and $500,000, but prospective buyers will also find renovated historic homes and sprawling new construction—sometimes close to 5,000 square feet of space—for around $1 million. The median price hovers around $340,000, and average sale prices in the city have climbed by approximately 18% over the last year. Homes in Fort Mitchell are snapped up relatively quickly, with most selling after only three weeks.
New-traditional homes in Fort Mitchell havea a median price of $444,950.
Historical revival style homes in Fort Mitchell showcase bay facades and roof dormers.
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Top-rated public schools attract prospective homebuyers
"The schools are a driving force on why people move to Fort Mitchell," says Kim Nachazel, a Realtor with Sibcy Cline and a city council member for over a decade. Fort Mitchell students are incorporated into the Beechwood Independent School District, which earns an overall A-plus grade from Niche. The district is comprised of two schools: Beechwood Elementary, which serves kids in prekindergarten through sixth grade and Beechwood High School for seventh through 12th graders. Along with its top-rated college readiness cores, Beechwood High is known for its football program, which has won 17 Kentucky State Championships.
Beechwood Elementary School serves Fort Mitchell students from Pre-K through the 5th grade.
Beechwood High School in Fort Mitchell educates grades seven through twelve.
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Country clubs and stargazing in city parks
Found in the city's northern half, Fort Mitchell Country Club is home to one of the Cincinnati area's top-rated golf courses. "The golf course sits in a picturesque setting; it's truly a hidden gem," says Nachzel, adding, "The events that the club puts together are also great." Investing in annual memberships means golfers don't have to reserve tee times in advance and the club is also home to a swimming pool, tennis courts and a dining room. There's a playground, basketball court and sand volleyball at General Ormsby Mitchel Park, which also hosts movie nights several times a year. According to Christofield, The Cincinnati Observatory—which General Ormsby Mitchel founded—sets up telescopes for occasional stargazing events at the park. Nearby, Devou Park spans more than 700 acres and is a popular destination for hikers and disc golfers. It's also home to the Behringer-Crawford Museum, which features exhibits on Kentucky history—including everything from fashion to football—and hosts live music throughout the summer months.
Devou Park is just a 3 mile drive from Fort Mitchell.
Fort Mitchell Country Club offers golf, tennis, and a pool.
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Dixie Highway staples and shopping plazas outside the city
The Greyhound Taven, formerly the Dixie Tea Room, has been a Dixie Highway landmark since the 1920s - and diners can enjoy American classics like fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese. Other Fort Mitchell staples include Camporosso for Italian cuisine, which Food & Wine Magazine named as one of the best pizza joints in the state of Kentucky. Larger shopping plazas can be found directly outside the city in neighboring communities like Crescent Springs, Lakeside Park and Fort Wright. For fresh produce and artisanal goods, residents can shop at the Market at Fort Mitchell from May through October.
Head to Greyhound Tavern for a warm meal and classy vibe in Fort Mitchell.
Fort Mitchell residents enjoy stopping by Camporosso Wood Fired Pizzeria.
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Fourth of July festivities and ventriloquist dummies
"Our biggest event every year is our annual Independence Day Parade," says Christofield. "Our population is a little under 9,000 people, and everyone comes out on that day in particular. We have a Grand Marshall, and although the route's only a mile, it takes around an hour because there're so many people." The tradition has been going strong since 1974, minus a brief interruption amid the COVID-19 pandemic. During Halloween and Christmas, residents participate in house decorating competitions and Garden Club members gather for monthly meetings at the City Building on Dixie Highway. Fort Mitchell is also home to the Vent Haven Museum, advertised as "The world's only museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism." It's open from May through September, but visitors can book appointments to see the dozens of ventriloquist dummies during the off-season.
Vent Haven Museum in Fort Mitchell is the only ventriloquist museum in the world.
Fort Mitchell celebrates the holidays by putting up lights at Crestview Hills.
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Decreasing crime rates in Fort Mitchell
According to 2022 data, Fort Mitchell's crime rate is nearly five times lower than the national average. There's a 1 in 4,300 chance of being a victim of a violent crime and a 1 in 119 chance of experiencing property crimes like burglary and motor vehicle theft. Rates have also decreased in recent years, falling by over 40% between 2021 and 2022. "Our fire and police departments are highly regarded. It says a lot that people who grew up here stick around and become lifers," says Nachazel.
A 6-mile commute to Cincinnati
Cincinnati, home to major employers like Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Kroger, Procter & Gamble and the University of Cincinnati, is a 6-mile commute from Fort Mitchell via Interstate 75. "You can be in Cincinnati in 10 minutes if that," says Christofield, who adds that some residents use the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky—or "TANK"—to travel across the Ohio River. The Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, which offers direct flights to over 50 destinations, is about 8 miles from Fort Mitchell via Interstate 275. Residents can seek medical care at St. Elizabeth Edgewood Hospital or visit Christ Hospital, a slightly larger facility in Cincinnati.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
