Hamilton, Ohio is divided from west to east by the Great Miami River. If you view the river and Main Street as a downtown grid, Rossville is immediately west of center.
Rossville was a separate city in the beginning, from about 1804 to 1854, before it was annexed by the City of Hamilton. Now, it is referred to as Rossville, the Rossville district, and/or the Main Street district all the same.
In Rossville’s early days as a separate city, many of its first residents were workers at the Hamilton Hydraulic System across the river in Hamilton.
Rossville created its own hydraulic system but it paled in comparison to Hamilton’s, so the town joined forces with Hamilton and the annex was complete.
In 1975, the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places with more than 120 included buildings.
Navigating Rossville is a cinch. Main Street, conveniently, is the main street in the district. You can usually find free streetside parking and there is ample parking right off Main Street.
As Main Street meets the Main-High Street Bridge, it becomes High Street on the other side.
There is no A Street, but as you walk, bike, or drive into Rossville from the bridge, the streets are named in alphabetical order from B Street to F Street. After that, you enter a more residential area near Millville/Eaton Avenue.
I like how Hamilton really keeps it simple for new visitors.
FOOD & DRINKS
Rossville’s Main Street district is a place of abundant food, drinks, art, and shopping, so that will be the focus of this blog.
True West Coffee opened in 2011 and has won many awards including Best Coffee Shop in Butler County.
I am an absolute sucker for coffee HOUSES, the ones that are in actual old houses, and this one is a winner. My latte was fantastic, and I also enjoyed their fenced patio full of murals and greenery.
Kelly’s Bakery has some of the most decadent donuts I have ever eaten, and it took about five settings to finish one of these babies.
Catch Kelly’s on the Butler County Donut Trail and get your picture taken for sweet cred. I just made that up and am pretty proud of myself, actually.
Chubby Bunny Bakery and Smoochies Boba & Crepes are other options for sweets.
Roll On In is a sushi fusion restaurant that has quickly become a national chain in recent months. I am still going to include it, for now.
Above is the Dyno burrito with spicy tuna, spicy salmon, corn salsa (which I asked to be held off), cucumber, spinach, spicy mayo, sweet soy, crunchy tempura. Spectacular!
They also have a food truck. While writing this, I learned there is a new location within 45 minutes of my home, so guess what I will be doing as soon as I publish this?
Fretboard Brewing & Public House was a treasure, and I was not expecting the food to be so good.
I adore the almost floor-to-ceiling windows that let in all the natural light instead of cringy fluorescence.
The vibe is cozy and they have several non-IPA beers so I was really living.
I knew what I wanted the second I opened the menu; the Cajun Chicken Sandwich. Blackened chicken breast and Cajun remoulade on a buttery potato roll. Whew.
The chef brought it to the table and said she made it herself, just for me. They probably do that for everyone but I squealed with glee.
Those sweet potato fries and whatever seasoning they put on them are truly to die for.
Richards Pizza, known as “Butler County’s Hometown Favourite Since 1955” is a local, family-owned chain with five locations nearby.
This is the delicious Greek Pizza with sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, artichokes, onions, garlic butter, Greek dressing, and three cheeses including mozzarella.
Hamilton’s Urban Backyard aka “HUB” is a fun bar with lots of outdoor space for enjoying the weather.
The patio is gated and sat near various food trucks, and this is a great spot to people watch right along Main Street.
SHOPS
Rossville’s Main Street District has nearly anything you could want from locally-made candles and body products to home decor, pet needs, record shops, and gift boutiques.
Seraph by the River is my favourite store in the area, and where I found my new favourite perfume oil.
For more witchy vibes, alt clothing, metaphysical supplies, and tarot readings, check out both Posh Pagan and Alternative Path-Coexist further down Main Street away from downtown.
The Unsung Salvage & Main Street Vinyl building was closed for construction when I tried to visit, but look at this incredible mural by Nick Scrimenti on its exterior!
There are several additional murals in Rossville that will catch your eye. Check out the StreetSpark project by the Fitton Center to learn more about them.
My favourite art installation in Hamilton is called When It Rains It Pours by Miles Metzger. The haunting bronze figure stands beneath his umbrella as rain falls endlessly on him, no matter the actual weather that day.
It felt very sad, standing in the center of the tiny Armstead Park along Main Street.
Rossville has a stunning collection of Victorian homes, especially Queen Anne, and I even found this heart stopping Eastlake! It would be a dream come to true to own this baby.
D Street is particularly known for its beautiful homes, and the general area has a distinct appearance of tidy home set atop green hills with concrete staircases.
The Rossville Historic Preservation Organization has managed the preservation of the district since 1974, as well as its annual or bi-annual events like the Rossville Home and Garden Tour (no website).
You can also schedule walking tours around Hamilton with The Walking Tour Company.
In the area for a while? Follow me to downtown Hamilton’s Riverfront, the historic German Village, and the Dayton Lane Historic District.
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