Hamilton, Ohio

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hamilton is a city in Butler County, Ohio, United States. The population was 60,690 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Butler CountyGR6. 2005 estimates indicate a slight population increase to approximately 61,943.

The city's mayor is Mr. Donald Ryan. Most of the city is in the Hamilton City School District, which has been named the number one urban school district in Ohio, and its superintendent, Janet Baker, has been named Ohio's superintendent of the year.

Contents

[edit] History

Hamilton was laid out as Fairfield in 1794, but took the name of Fort Hamilton, the army post established there by General Arthur St. Clair and named for Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. From there, St. Clair and General Richard Butler, namesake of the county, marched north in 1791 to fight Indians. Butler was killed in the expedition. The 'father of Hamilton' and a leading statesman was James McBride.

Hamilton was first incorporated by act of the Ohio General Assembly in 1810, but lost its status in 1815 for failure to hold elections. It was reincorporated in 1827 with Rossville, the community across the Great Miami River in St. Clair Township but the two places severed their connection in 1831 only to be rejoined in 1854. It became a city in 1857. On March 14, 1867, Hamilton withdrew from the townships of Fairfield and St. Clair to form a paper township.

The paper industry, iron works, and manufacturing works thrived in Hamilton in the early to mid twentieth century due to the migration of skilled German immigrants and presence of a good water supply needed by industry; in the forms of the Great Miami River, Miami Aquifer and the old Miami Erie Canal system. Many military supplies needed for WWII were manufactured in Hamilton; including tank turrets, liberty ship and submarine engines, machined and stamped metal parts.

In the 1920s, many Chicago gangsters had second homes in Hamilton. This gave Hamilton the nickname "Little Chicago." John Dillinger is documented to have been a visitor to Hamilton. During World War II, due to the large number of gambling and prostitution establishments such as Madame Freeze's and the long row of prostitution establishments along Wood Street (now called Pershing Ave), the entire city was declared off-limits to military personnel.

In May of 1986, in order to draw attention to the city, Hamilton changed its name to Hamilton! (with an exclamation point), though the change was dismissed by the United States Board on Geographic Names. [1]

The city is the birthplace of the late game-show host Ray Combs, Joe Nuxhall, a star pitcher and longtime announcer for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team and also the youngest major leaguer ever, two members of the highly successful funk band The Ohio Players: Leroy Bonner and Greg Webster, and R&B/Funk legend Roger Troutman, who - with his brothers - formed the band Zapp. James Ruppert who murdered 11 members of his entire family on Easter Sunday in 1975 including 8 nieces and nephews, lived in Hamilton. Captain John Cleves Symmes (died 1829), constructed the Symmes Theory of Concentric Spheres and Polar Voids which contended that the earth was hollow and that the inside could be reached through the polar regions. Singer and movie star Doris Day broke her leg when riding in an automobile which was struck by a train in Hamilton.

[edit] Noteworthy Residents Past and Present

[edit] Education

Hamilton is served by the Hamilton City Schools district.

[edit] Geography

Location of Hamilton, Ohio

Hamilton is located at 39°23′45″N, 84°33′54″W (39.395806, -84.564920)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 57.2 km² (22.1 mi²). 56.0 km² (21.6 mi²) of it is land and 1.2 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (2.13%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 60,690 people, 24,188 households, and 15,867 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,084.3/km² (2,808.2/mi²). There were 25,913 housing units at an average density of 463.0/km² (1,199.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.94% White, 7.55% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.46% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.58% of the population.

There were 24,188 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,365, and the median income for a family was $41,936. Males had a median income of $32,646 versus $23,850 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,493. About 10.6% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

Hamilton is the 12th largest city in Ohio.

[edit] Historical population figures

[edit] External links

[edit] Trivia

  • Hamilton is one of the few towns located at the intersection of 4 consecutively numbered highways--US 127, and State Routes 128, 129, and 130. Additionally, since State Route 126 is just south of the city, it could be argued that it lies at the intersection of 5 consecutively numbered highways.

[edit] References

    1. ^ (1967) Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Marquis Who's Who.
  • Jim Blount. The 1900's: 100 Years In the History of Butler County, Ohio. Hamilton, Ohio: Past Present Press, 2000.
  • Butler County Engineer's Office. Butler County Official Transportation Map, 2003. Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio: The Office, 2003.
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