Goshen

Deep in the rolling hills of southern Ohio lies Goshen, a small town ripe with outdoor recreation, a tight-knit community and a rich history connected to Major League Baseball, bear wrestling and World War II. Only 13 miles from Cincinnati, Goshen residents have the luxury of a quiet rural lifestyle without being too far from big-city amenities. “We strive to keep the rural feeling type of community while allowing for all the modern conveniences,” says Bob Hausermann, Goshen Township and 68-year resident. “We pride ourselves in a country atmosphere and preserving what we have but welcome the burgeoning urban sprawl.” Goshen offers single-family, ranch-style homes, farmhouses, Cape Cods, contemporary houses and sprawling country properties. Most homes were built in the 1980s, ranging from $125,000 to $820,000. However, larger farms can go for up to $2.3 million. The Lakeview Place subdivision offers up to five-bedroom homes starting at $324,000 with resort-style amenities and a community pool. Most homes in the neighborhood offer multi-car garages, inviting front porches and beautiful yards with sweeping pastures. “You can find your corner of the woods to escape to for that piece of normalcy in the countryside,” Hausermann says. “We have a lot of property here from 2 to 4-acre lots to homes with 50 to 100 acres.” While living in Goshen is a retreat into the Ohio countryside, amenities are a short drive away via State Route 28. This route also connects residents to John Jacobs Airport in 5 miles and Regency Hospital in 13 miles. “People come here because it’s 20 minutes from major shopping centers, Cincinnati, and other amenities, but you can leave those busy areas and return to Goshen to live a simple, country life,” he says.

Served by the Goshen Local School District, local students attend Spaulding Elementary, Goshen Middle School and Goshen High School. Spaulding earned an overall A-minus on Niche, and the middle school received a B. The elementary school offers an outdoor program at Rowe Woods, book fairs and a therapy dog named Rolyn. Earning a B on Niche, Goshen High offers football and volleyball teams, a chess club and a Latino Club.

Goshen is overflowing with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. At Katherine-Stagge-Marr Community Park, let the kids play, fish in the pond, play a round of disc golf or attend a summer show. Or head to Stonelick State Park to boat or swim around the tranquil lake, hike or bike the park’s four trails or stay overnight at one of over 100 wooded campsites available year-round. Avid hikers love to hop on the 767 acres of the Long Branch Farm & Trails, and residents can also work on their gold swing at Eagles Nest Golf Course or Deer Track Golf Course.

Grab morning coffee from Goshen Grind, and for lunch or dinner, hit Lori’s American Grille along Route 28 for a burger and comfort classics. Enjoy soft-serve ice cream and frozen lemonade from Sprinkles off Goshen Road during the warmer months. And get homemade bread and sweets at Weiss Baking Company along Route 28. For basics, head to Dollar General, but there’s also a Kroger along Dick Flynn Boulevard. This area also boasts a bank, hair salon and Papa John’s. The closest for shopping is Mulberry Square Shopping Center, a 5-mile drive up Route 28.

The community engages residents with an annual Halloween celebration, an annual veteran’s memorial event hosted by the Goshen Township Historical Society and the annual Holly Fair. The Goshen Historical Museum is a beloved fixture, showcasing permanent and rotating exhibits of the town’s history and a treasure trove of Goshen memorabilia. Here, learn about three famous historical figures to come out of Goshen, including World War II flying ace Colonel John J Voll, Sam Leever, an MLB pitcher who played in the first World Series and Tuffy Truesdale, a former pro wrestler and entertainer known for wrestling bears and later alligators. “He raised bears and used to bring them around the high school for wrestling matches back in the ‘60s,” says Hausermann. “We also had the first major league umpire from here.”

Step back in time in Goshen, where a tranquil country lifestyle awaits.

Written By

Amy David

Photography Contributed By

Mark Chenoweth

Video By

Paris Lape