Elsmere was first settled in 1885 and was originally known as South Erlanger. Incorporated as the City of Elsmere in 1896, it sits on the border of Boone and Kenton County between Erlanger and Florence. There are 8,400 residents and the city is named after Elsmere Avenue in Norwood, Ohio – the hometown of one of its founders.
As one of the older communities in the area, it began as a small railroad community but is now predominately a residential area with many old family businesses and new enterprises lining the two major highways running through the city. Older homes of all sizes and styles can be found in this community. Also, new development is still available offering a variety of homes.
Transportation
T.A.N.K. buses serve Elsmere at about 20-minute intervals. Donaldson Road leads off Dixie Highway to the I-75 interchange. Driving time to Cincinnati is about 15 minutes.
Hospitals
St. Elizabeth West is on Turfway Road in Florence. St. Elizabeth South is on Dudley Road in Edgewood. Hospitals are 10 minutes from Elsmere. There is also an Elsmere Rescue Squad available through the Elsmere Police. Children's Hospital is located in Cincinnati.
Shopping
There are several shopping centers in the area including Crestview Hills Town Center in neighboring Edgewood, which offers more than a dozen restaurants and 50+ retailers. The spacious Florence Mall, with two-level shopping, offers approximately 125 stores. Restaurants are only a few minutes away.
Recreation
Activities for youths include little league baseball, knothole baseball, and pee wee football. Roller skating and bowling establishments are in the area. Other activities convenient to the area are golf, tennis, and dancing. The public library is on Dixie Highway. The Silver Lake Recreation Center offers fitness and exercise equipment, gymnastics, youth programs, senior programs and an aquatic center. Elsmere has several public parks: Covered Bridge Park, Rosella Porterfield Park, Terrill Park and Woodside Park. All feature playgrounds, picnic shelters and a basketball court. Woodside Park also has three baseball fields.
Lifestyle
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