St. Elizabeth Hospital East is located in Fort Thomas, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is also available.

California, Kentucky sits on the banks of the Ohio River along Route 8. There are less than 100 residents residing in California. While technically only .25 square miles, some consider California to stretch a bit up the hill to unincorporated Carthage, Kentucky.

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Bethesda North Hospital –  a Level III Trauma Center –  is a 20-minute drive away, with well-used emergency room facilities. Jewish Hospital Kenwood is also located within 20 minutes drive time and is located in Sycamore Township. This hospital features a state-of-the-art patient tower as well as a 24-hour emergency department. It also offers the region’s only adult Blood & Marrow Transplant Center. 

Other Cincinnati area hospitals, such as The Christ Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, University Hospital and the Children’s Hospital Medical Center are located within a 25-minute drive.

A Mill Creek Valley community, Carthage is seven miles north of downtown Cincinnati. The area was settled around 1790 with Jacob White’s Station, a blockhouse built at the third Mill Creek crossing. The area was rural throughout most of the 19th century and was incorporated in 1861. Carthage became part of Cincinnati in 1911. Horse racing was popular for this community and meets were featured at the Carthage Fair Grounds (now the Hamilton County Fairgrounds) until the 1960s.

The Community Center (formerly Carthage Elementary School) houses the Seniors of Carthage and the Carthage Community Gardens. A fitness room is available for members. Carthage has two parks: Caldwell Playground and Caldwell Nature Center. The nature center has an amphitheater and 3.5 miles of nature trails. The playground features a spray park for the warmer months. 

The Carthage Civic League is very active and meets monthly. Founded in 1937, it is one of the oldest community councils in Cincinnati.  This group of citizens and business owners are in charge of neighborhood beautification flower pots along Vine Street, a Community Day, as well as other projects in the community.

Along Vine Street in Carthage, there are several locally run shops and restaurants. You'll find Hispanic shops and restaurants along Vine Street. 

A 15-minute drive and one can shop at the Kenwood Towne Centre with many national brand stores including Nordstrom, Macy’s and Dillard’s. Rookwood Commons and Pavilion shopping center are 10 minutes away in Norwood and offer many convenient stores and restaurants.

Carthage is an older, urban neighborhood with many homes built from the early 1900s–1930s. In recent times some new affordable homes have been constructed in the community. Home styles range from cape cods, to brick two stories to shot-gun style homes. Cincinnati Housing Partners is a Non-Profit With Very Direct Goals and is active in the community to revitalize  neglected homes.

Carthage

Carthage is centrally located in greater Cincinnati. Interstate 75 is within minutes to take drives north and south. The Norwood Lateral connects motorists to the eastern side of Cincinnati and to Interstate 71. It is a 15-minute drive to downtown Cincinnati. Cincinnati buses service the area.

Mentor lies along Route 8, which parallels the Ohio River. The flavor is very rural as the town is surrounded by agricultural land. Homes vary from small to quite large. Large farms have been divided and this has encouraged growth in the areas. There are about 200 residents in this city.

River sports are the popular attraction. Softball leagues for men and women are quite popular at several local ballfields. The city hosts an annual Christmas Parade. The Twin Bridges Golf Club in California, Kentucky is located nearby and offers a challenging course to play. Buckners Playground is also located in California.

Local merchants provide general services. Easy access to I-471 and the AA Highway lead to all major shopping areas.

The rich bottom land along the river brings carloads of city residents looking for fresh vegetables or just enjoying the scenic views during the summer months. Farmers set up roadside stands to sell their harvests. Summer months also see people traveling through these areas to reach their summer homes along the river. Restaurants and convenience stores provide for the needs of all.

Mentor

Route 8 was the main east to west highway connecting the town with other populated areas of Campbell County. The AA Highway has become an integral part of Campbell County. Public transportation is provided by the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky.

St. Elizabeth Hospital East is located in Fort Thomas. Nearby hospitals include St. Elizabeth Medical Center-North, St. Elizabeth Medical Center-South and St. Elizabeth West in Florence. Several doctors have offices in the city. Emergency medical service (EMS) is available.

Twelve miles south of Cincinnati along U.S. 27, in the heart of Campbell County, is Alexandria. Named after Alexandria, Virginia, the home of its first settlers, the town was laid out in the early part of 19th century, but was not incorporated until 1856. Alexandria has been the county seat of Campbell County since 1840. There are 8,500 residents.

Alexandria Community Park has over 80 acres that were originally part of the Alexandria Reservoir. A walking trail circles the nine-acre fishing lake. This park features baseball fields, basketball courts, play area as well as miles of paved walking trails. This park hosts an annual Easter Egg Hunt, Fishing Derby, Halloween Haunted Walk and a Christmas Tree Lighting. Tribute Park is a small area that pays homage to all who serve our country – from armed services to the police, firefighters and EMS teams. There are commemorative bricks in this park that serve as personal tributes. 

Alexandria has tennis and track facilities available through the public schools. Six miles from the city is a county park offering fishing, golfing, camping, picnicking and swimming. The nearby Ohio and Licking Rivers also offer water activities. Sports are plentiful and amateur softball and soccer games can be seen all summer. 

The Alexandria Community Center offers fitness classes as well as other programs. Many residents enjoy a walking membership at the center.

Major shopping centers and malls are within a 20-minute drive. Alexandria, a farming community for many years, still has farm supply stores as well as several stores to serve the needs of the city farmer. Village Green Shopping Center offers a wide variety of shopping opportunities from WalMart to many smaller retailers. Established convenience stores and local chain stores are located in the city or nearby.

The small town atmosphere is still evident in Alexandria. With its easy access to major highways and vast undeveloped land, however, the city is destined to become a center of significant residential growth. With U.S. 27 intersecting I-471 just north of the city, and the AA Highway crossing the southern tip of Campbell County, Alexandria is one of the “new” focal points in Campbell County and is charting a steady growth pattern. Homes in and around Alexandria vary in style and price. Prospective buyers will find an impressive selection of modest subdivision homes, stately homes and more elaborate custom homes from which to choose. Many new developments are proof positive Alexandria is the fastest growing market in Campbell County.

Alexandria

Public transportation is provided by the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK). US 27, I-471, the AA Highway and several state highways provide quick access from Alexandria to Cincinnati and Kenton, Boone, Pendleton and Bracken Counties, and the southern parts of Campbell County. It takes just 30 short minutes to drive to downtown Cincinnati, Ohio or the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky International Airport.

River sports are a popular attraction for the area. Softball leagues for men, women and youth are quite popular at several neighboring ball fields. A short drive to 471 offers access to all the entertainment opportunities in Greater Cincinnati.

Easy access to I-471, I-275 and the AA Highway lead to all major shopping areas.

California, Kentucky is home to the Elijah Herndon House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Elijah Herndon fought in the War of 1812 and built his house in 1818. It is rumored that Harriet Beecher Stowe used the Herndon house in part of 'Uncle Tom’s Cabin'.

California

Until recently, Route 8 was the main east to west highway connecting the town with other populated areas of Campbell County. The AA Highway has become an integral part of Campbell County. Public transportation is provided by the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky.