Loveland, Ohio

Infobox Settlement
name = Loveland, Ohio
official_name = City of Loveland, Ohio
settlement_type = City
nickname = Sweetheart of Ohio


imagesize =
image_caption =


image_blank_emblem = Logo of Loveland, Ohio.svg
blank_emblem_size = 100px
website = [http://www.lovelandoh.com/ City of Loveland]


mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Hamilton, Clermont, and Warren Counties in Ohio


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = Counties
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Ohio
subdivision_name2 = Hamilton, Clermont, Warren
government_type = Council-manager
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Rob Weisgerber
leader_party = R
leader_title1 = City manager
leader_name1 = Tom Carroll
established_title = Settled
established_title2 = Incorporated (village)
established_title3 = Chartered (city)
established_date = 1795
established_date2 = May 12, 1876
established_date3 = 1961
founder = Col. Thomas Paxton
named_for = James Loveland
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 12.2
area_total_sq_mi = 4.7
area_land_km2 = 12.0
area_land_sq_mi = 4.7
area_water_km2 = 0.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1
area_water_percent = 1.28
population_as_of = 2000
population_total = 11667
population_density_km2 = 969.6
population_density_sq_mi = 2513.5
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 45140, 45249cite web|title=2000 Census Tract, ZIP Code, and Political Jurisdictions, with Streets|publisher=Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission|accessdate=2008-04-24|url=http://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/hcrpc/data_products/map_shop/tracts_zips_streets.pdf|format=PDF Based on United States Census data.]
area_code = 513
latd = 39 |latm = 16 |lats = 8 |latNS = N
longd = 84 |longm = 16 |longs = 14 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 182
elevation_ft = 597
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 39-45108GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1085672GR|3
blank2_name = LOCODE
blank2_info = US XHT
footnotes =

Loveland (pronEng|ˈlʌvlənd) is a city in Hamilton, Clermont, and Warren counties in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. Considered part of the Greater Cincinnati area, Loveland is located near exit 52 off Interstate 275, about fifteen miles northeast of the Cincinnati city limits. It borders Symmes, Miami and Hamilton Townships. The population was 11,677 at the 2000 census,GR|2 and was estimated at 11,154 in 2006.cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=16000US3945108&_cityTown=Loveland&_state=04000US39&pctxt=fph|title=Loveland city, Ohio|work=American FactFinder|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2007-09-09]

Geography

Loveland is located at coord|39|16|8|N|84|16|13|W (39.268759, -84.270397)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²). 4.7 square miles (12.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km² or 1.28%) of it is water. The city is situated at an elevation of 597 ft. (182 m) above sea level.

Loveland can be reached by car most easily via Interstate 275, but State Route 48 also serves the city. State Route 3 / U.S. Route 22 passes through Montgomery to the west, and State Route 126 passes through Remington and Miamiville to the south.

Loveland is located within three counties: Hamilton County, Clermont County, and Warren County. About 35 Ohio cities cross county borders.cite news|author=Jeremy W. Steele|first=Jeremy W|last=Steele|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/local/loveland/E180html_08192003__GNLthreecounties.ART_Other.html|title=You say your city hall is two counties away?|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=2003-08-19|accessdate=2006-07-31|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041204165541/http://www.cincinnati.com/local/loveland/E180html_08192003__GNLthreecounties.ART_Other.html|archivedate=2004-12-04] Historic Downtown Loveland and the central business district lie in a small valley on opposite sides of the Little Miami Scenic River, the boundary between Hamilton and Clermont counties, whereas most of Loveland's residential areas are located on the hills surrounding the valley on either side. Loveland City Hall is located in Clermont County, whereas most of the population resides in Hamilton County.

These areas include some neighborhoods from the 1950s and earlier, as well as a number of newer subdivisions built as part of the urban sprawl that saw nearby Mason grow tremendously. Unlike Mason and other suburbs closer to Interstate 71 and Interstate 75, Loveland is considered somewhat of a "bedroom community", where residential neighborhoods (and churches) seemingly outnumber businesses, and most residents make the half-hour commute to Downtown Cincinnati for work each day.

The city lies in the Little Miami telephone exchange, within Cincinnati Bell's ILEC coverage area,cite web|title=Ohio Telephone Service Area Maps by County|publisher=Public Utilities Commission of Ohio|date=2003-12-26|accessdate=2008-04-23|url=http://www.puc.state.oh.us/pucogis/newcntymaps/TELCNTY.HTML] while the 513 area code includes the entire city. Loveland receives electric and natural gas services from Duke Energy Ohio, formerly Cincinnati Gas & Electric.cite web|title=Ohio Electric Service Area Maps by County|publisher=Public Utilities Commission of Ohio|date=2003-12-30|accessdate=2008-04-23|url=http://www.puc.state.oh.us/pucogis/newcntymaps/elcnty.html] cite web|title=Ohio Gas Service Area Maps by County|publisher=Public Utilities Commission of Ohio|date=2005-07-19|accessdate=2008-04-23|url=http://www.puc.state.oh.us/pucogis/newcntymaps/gascnty.html] Loveland has water interconnectivity agreements with the City of Cincinnati and Clermont County.cite news|title=New Plan to Pool Water Resources|author=Kathy Lehr|first=Kathy|last=Lehr|work=Cincinnati.com|publisher=Gannett Company|date=2008-07-22|accessdate=2008-07-24|url=http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100092&sid=132894]

The 45140 ZIP code includes the entirety of Loveland, with the exception of a few recently-annexed businesses that belong to the 45249 ZIP code (Symmes). The United States Postal Service lists a number of place names as unacceptable for this ZIP code, including "Murdock", "Symmes Township", and "Twenty Mile Stand"; however, "Loveland, Ohio" is acceptable for Camp Dennison's 45111 ZIP code. The 45108 FIPS55 code and US XHT LOCODE both correspond to the city proper.

Government

Loveland uses a council-manager form of government. The Loveland City Council has seven seats; as of 2008, they include Mayor Rob Weisgerber and Vice Mayor David Bednar. The other four councilmembers are Paul Elliot, Mark Fitzgerald, Todd Osborne, and Joe Schickel.cite web|author=City of Loveland|url=http://www.lovelandoh.com/council.asp|title=Loveland City Council|accessdate=2008-01-21] On June 10, 2008, Brenton Zuch will replace Dan Daly, who resigned.cite news|title=Loveland councilman quits|author=Carrie Whitaker|first=Carrie|last=Whitaker|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=2008-05-12|accessdate=2008-05-12|url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080512/NEWS01/305120075/|quote=City Councilman Dan Daly will resign his position from council on Wednesday. Daly’s family is moving to Pittsburgh.] cite news|title=Brenton Zuch appointed to Loveland City Council|author=Jeanne Houck|first=Jeanne|last=Houck|work=The Loveland Herald|publisher=The Community Press|date=2008-05-28|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20080528/NEWS/805280312/|quote=Brenton Zuch will be sworn in as a member of Loveland City Council at its June 10 meeting.] Tom Carroll is city manager.cite press release|publisher=Office of Mayor Robert Weisgerber, City of Loveland|date=2006-01-28|url=http://www.lovelandoh.com/upload/general%20press%20releases/city%20of%20loveland%20to%20hire%20tom%20carroll%20as%20city%20manager.pdf|title=City of Loveland to Hire Tom Carroll as Next City Manager|accessdate=2006-05-02]

Loveland is protected by the Loveland Police Division and the Loveland–Symmes Fire Department. Dispatching for both is handled by Northeast Communications Center (NECC), which provides Wireless Enhanced 911 service.

At the federal level, the entirety of Loveland is located within the Ohio Second Congressional District. At the state level, it is also served by the 35^th and 66^th House Districts and the Seventh, Eighth, and 14^th Senate Districts.cite web|author=Ohio Senate|authorlink=Ohio Senate|url=http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/SenateZipSearch.html|title=Senate District ZIP Code Search|work=Your Senators|accessdate=2006-05-02] See Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate for the current representatives of the respective state districts.

According to the Loveland Code of Ordinances, the city's corporate seal consists of "the coat of arms of the state engraved in the center and the words 'City of Loveland' engraved around the edge". [http://www.conwaygreene.com/Loveland/lpext.dll/Infobase/848/873/936/93f Loveland City Ordinance 105.01] : "Corporate Seal". Walter H. Drane Company.]

History

Present-day Loveland originally lay at the edges of the Symmes Purchase and Virginia Military District, in what was then the Northwest Territory. The area was first settled in 1795cite web|author=Loveland Beautification Committee|url=http://explore.communitiesinbloom.ca/CIB_Detail.cfm?id=146|title=City of Loveland, Ohio, USA|work=Communities in Bloom|accessdate=2006-08-01] by Col. Thomas Paxton:

The city is named after James Loveland, who operated a general store and post office near the railroad tracks downtown. It was incorporated as a village on May 12, 1876, and later incorporated as a chartered city in 1961cite web|author=Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce|year=2005|url=http://lovelandchamber.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=185|title=History of the Loveland Area|accessdate=2006-05-02 ] .

Village getaway

In its early days, Loveland was known as a resort town, with its summer homes for the wealthy, earning it the nickname "Little Switzerland of the Miami Valley." Notable residents included future Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase,cite news|author=Alisha Woolery|first=Alisha|last=Woolery|url=http://frontier.cincinnati.com/communities/story_loveland1.asp|title=Loveland's natural touch|work=Cincinnati.com|publisher=Gannett|accessdate=2006-05-18] and the Cincinnati YWCA maintained a summer cottage in Loveland.cite journal|url=http://publications.ohiohistory.org/ohstemplate.cfm?action=detail&Page=010567.html&StartPage=46&EndPage=71&volume=105|title= Housing the Women Who Toiled: Planned Residences for Single Women, Cincinnati 1860-1960|author=Patricia A. Carter|first=Patricia A|last=Carter|journal=Ohio History|publisher=Ohio Historical Society|volume=105|pages=46–71|quote=The YWCA's summer cottage was in Loveland, a rural community 25 miles from the city...] The area was also home to Ohio's first paper mill, built in 1810 by John Smith. A local road retains the mill's eventual name, Kugler Mill.cite journal|url=http://publications.ohiohistory.org/ohstemplate.cfm?action=detail&Page=0051185.html&StartPage=184&EndPage=194&volume=51|title=Contrasts in 150 Years of Publishing in Ohio|author=Charles M. Thomas|first=Charles M|last=Thomas|journal=Ohio History|publisher=Ohio Historical Society|volume=51|pages=184–194|quote=There [in Loveland] , on the Little Miami River, John Smith built the first paper mill in Ohio for a settler named Christian Waldschmidt or Wallsmith.] The area surrounding Loveland in Clermont County was well-known for its peaches and strawberries.cite book|title=History of Southwestern Ohio: The Miami Valleys|author=William Ernest Smith|first=William Ernest|last=Smith|coauthors=Ophia Delilah Smith|location=New York City|publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company|year=1964|oclc=807074|page=vol. I, p. 419|quote=The Clermont County hills around Loveland were famous for peaches and strawberries that were shipped to all parts of the United States. In 1845 one grower sent 400 quarts of strawberries to the Cincinnati market in one day; some were packed in ice and shipped to New Orleans.]

The Hillsboro and Cincinnati Railroad was chartered in 1846 to run a line between Hillsboro and O'Bannon Creek in Loveland on the Little Miami Railroad's route. By 1850, the H&C had completed the thirty-seven miles to Hillsboro, Ohio. The H&C would lease its line in perpetuity to the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad and ultimately became the mainline of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Loveland's location at the junction of the Little Miami Railroad (now converted into the Loveland Bike Trail) and the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad fueled the city's growth, bringing "40 passenger trains per day, and 12 scheduled freight trains between Loveland and Cincinnati." Another railroad ran through pre–, by the same author.]

In 1886, the skeleton of a mastodon and prehistoric stone tools were found in a Loveland gravel pit.cite book|title=History of Southwestern Ohio: The Miami Valleys|author=William Ernest Smith|first=William Ernest|last=Smith|coauthors=Ophia Delilah Smith|location=New York City|publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company|year=1964|oclc=807074|page=vol. I, p. 24|quote=Bones of a mastodon and implements were found thirty feet below the surface of the ground, in a gravel pit, at Loveland, Ohio, in 1866.]

In 1903, Loveland voted to become a dry village,cite news|url=http://dbs.ohiohistory.org/africanam/page.cfm?ID=217|title=Loveland - A Dry Town|work=The Informer|publisher=Ohio Historical Center Archives Library|date=February 1903|volume=6|issue=9|pages=1|accessdate=2007-05-28] prohibiting the sale of alcohol within the village limits 17 years before a national ban; neither ban is in effect today.

Downtown Loveland's proximity to the Little Miami River has made it vulnerable to flooding. The worst such event, the , washed out the Loveland Bridge, which was rebuilt over the river at present-day Branch Hill–Miamiville Road, and also destroyed a corn mill.

In the 1920s, "The Cincinnati Enquirer" ran a promotion that offered a free plot of land in Loveland, along the Little Miami River, after paying for a one-year subscription to the daily.cite web|url=http://www.lovelandcastle.com/kogt.html|title=Knights of the Golden Trail|author=Historic Loveland Castle Museum|date=2002-07-18|accessdate=2007-07-05] The Loveland Castle (see below) was built on two such plots.

Growing city

After a population spike during the 1950s, Loveland reincorporated as a chartered city – the first of only two in Clermont Countycite web|url=http://www.co.clermont.oh.us/508/includes/page/topic/history/history_default.php?topic=villages&item=loveland|title=Loveland|work=History of Clermont County Villages|author=Clermont County, Ohio] – in 1961, with George Anderson as its first mayor.cite web|author=Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce|year=2005|url=http://lovelandchamber.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=185|title=History of the Loveland Area|accessdate=2006-05-02 ] The city absorbed smaller settlements, such as Paxton,cite web|url=http://www.lovelandoh.com/wphomestead.cfm|title=White Pillars Homestead|accessdate=2006-09-08|author=City of Loveland] Obanionsville, and Symmestown.

Loveland has periodically sought to expand its borders by annexing surrounding areas, primarily to the more commercially active west. In 1993, the city attempted to annex parts of Deerfield Township, prompting petitions to instead merge the township with the City of Mason.cite news|author=Ginny Hunter|first=Ginny|last=Hunter|title=Petitions Flying in Annexation War|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CNPB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB030C0B6168D74&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=0D0CB579A3BDA420| work=The Cincinnati Post|publisher=E. W. Scripps Company|page=5A|date=1993-01-16|accessdate=2006-09-08] Moves to merge Symmes Township with Loveland began the next yearcite news|author=Ginny Hunter|first=Ginny|last=Hunter|title=Petitions would put merger panel to vote Loveland Council hears residents|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CNPB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB0318666457461&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=0D0CB579A3BDA420|work=The Cincinnati Post|publisher=E. W. Scripps Company|page=Editorial 1|date=1994-08-18|accessdate=2006-09-08] but ultimately failed. In 1996, Loveland moved its eastern border by purchasing Col. Paxton's original White Pillars homestead, which had remained unincorporated, despite being the first settlement in the Loveland area.

In the late 1990s, Loveland was designated a Tree City by the National Arbor Day Foundation, as it began a number of efforts to promote its Historic Downtown neighborhood, in part to celebrate the city's bicentennial. The programs included a renovation of Historic Downtown itself to sport a more "gentrified" look, for example replacing concrete sidewalks with brick ones, installing park benches throughout, and providing incentives to businesses willing to improve their façades. Major roads such as South Lebanon Road (County Road 298cite web|url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/planning/Functional%20Class/2004Urban_Maps/cincinnati_map_5.pdf|title=Cincinnati Map 5|work=Functional Classification Maps|author=Office of Systems Planning and Program Management, Ohio Department of Transportation|date=2004|accessdate=2007-08-13|format=PDF] ) were expanded and given landscaped medians.

The Loveland Beautification Committee was established to sponsor various programs and events that aim to improve landscapes and other buildings around town. Under the mayorship of Lee Skierkiewicz, Loveland heavily promoted itself as a cycling destination. The Tour de Loveland, an annual cycling race, was started in order to promote the Loveland Bike Trail as the centerpiece of Historic Downtown Loveland. The city's efforts culminated with USA Cycling Elite National Championship criteriums in June 1998.cite news|author=Bob Queenan|first=Bob|last=Queenan|url=http://www.cincypost.com/sports/1998/cycle042198.html|title=Area becoming cycling mecca|work=The Cincinnati Post|publisher=E. W. Scripps Company|date=1998-04-21|accessdate=2006-11-30|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041108155122/http://www.cincypost.com/sports/1998/cycle042198.html|archivedate=2004-11-08] cite news|author=Sean Keeler|first=Sean|last=Keeler|url=http://www.cincypost.com/sports/1998/cycle062498.html|title=Loveland hosts cycling nationals|work=The Cincinnati Post|publisher=E. W. Scripps Company|date=1998-06-24|accessdate=2006-11-30|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041108155126/http://www.cincypost.com/sports/1998/cycle062498.html|archivedate=2004-11-08] On January 24, 2005, Loveland City Council voted to cancel the Tour, due to declining attendance and a lack of sponsors.cite news|author=Staff writer|url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060125/NEWS01/301180013|title=Loveland cancels bike race|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett|date=2006-01-25|accessdate=2006-05-02]

On April 9, 1999, Loveland found itself in the path of an F4 tornado (see Fujita scale). The tornado claimed four fatalities, including a Loveland resident,cite news|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1999/04/10/loc_tornado1.html|title=Hope emerges from the rubble|author=Howard Wilkinson|first=Howard|last=Wilkinson|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=1999-04-10|accessdate=2008-04-17] before reaching the city.

With "four blooms", Loveland won the 2005 America in Bloom competition for cities with 10,001 to 15,000 residents.cite web|url=http://www.americainbloom.org/aib_2005_winners.asp|title=America In Bloom 2005 Award Winners|accessdate=2006-08-01|author=America in Bloom|date=2005-09-12|work=America in Bloom] Loveland lost to St. Ives/Carbis Bay in the 2006 Communities in Bloom International Challenge, medium category, but won the "Communities in Bloom Youth Involvement Project Award."cite web|url=http://www.communitiesinbloom.ca/news.php?news_table=cib_english_news&id=25|title=The results are in...congratulations to all national finalists|accessdate=2006-09-28|author=Communities in Bloom|date=2006]

On May 4, 2007, Ohio's first four-quadrant gate was installed at the Second Street railroad crossing in Loveland.cite news|url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS01/305030038/|author=Steve Kemme|last=Kemme|first=Steve|title=Loveland rail crossing upgraded|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett|date=2007-04-03|accessdate=2007-04-03]

Zoning controversies

In recent years, Loveland has seen several controversies over zoning regulations. After the city acquired the White Pillars property in 1996, it began plans to develop the land, which is situated on State Route 48. Prior to being elected councilman, Paul Elliot participated in a lawsuit against the city over attempting to rezone the property for commercial use without voter approval. In 2003, Mike Showler led a successful referendum to block the rezoning.cite news|first=Sheila|last=McLaughlin|author=Sheila McLaughlin|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/08/26/loc_loc4gun.html|title=Loveland eases gun law|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett|date=2004-08-26|accessdate=2006-10-21] An earlier attempt to develop a YMCA location on a section of Phillips Park also failed, when a group of residents protested the city's development plans, prompting the YMCA to abandon the location.cite news|first=Earnest|last=Winston|author=Earnest Winston|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2001/06/27/loc_opposition_voiced_to.html|title=Opposition voiced to YMCA in park|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett|date=2001-06-27|accessdate=2006-05-02] cite news|author=Staff writer|url=http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2002/01/21/daily39.html|title=YMCA scraps plan for Loveland facility|work=Cincinnati Business Courier|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=2002-01-24|accessdate=2006-05-02] In December 2006, Loveland announced a plan to build a Loveland Recreation Center on land adjacent to Phillips Park. The city planned to enter into an operating agreement with the YMCA once the center was built;cite news|author=City of Loveland|url=http://www.lovelandoh.com/27947%20loveland%20Newsletter.pdf|title=Recreation Center Planning on Pace for 2007|work=All Heart Newsletter|date=2006-12-29|accessdate=2007-01-05] however, the Recreation Center tax referendum was defeated in May 2007. The Recreation Center plan was later revised,cite web|url=http://www.lovelandoh.com/recreationaquaticcenter.cfm|title=Loveland Recreation Aquatic Center Information|author=City of Loveland|date=2007-07-11|accessdate=2007-07-18] but Loveland residents again rejected an income tax levy to fund the center on November 6, 2007.cite web|url=http://www.hamilton-co.org/boe/inputdata/Electionsresults/Final/RealTime.pdf|title=Cumulative — Unofficial / Hamilton County, Ohio — General Election — November 06, 2007|author=Board of Elections, Hamilton County, Ohio|pages=79|format=PDF|date=2007-11-07|accessdate=2007-11-07] cite news|url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20071107/NEWS01/311070034/|title=Loveland rec center a dead deal|author=Carrie Whitaker|first=Carrie|last=Whitaker|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=2007-11-07|accessdate=2007-11-07]

Shooter's Supply, a local gun store, proposed building an indoor shooting range at the former location of the Matthew 25: Ministries humanitarian agency. Nearby residents have attempted to block the shooting range, which would be built near several apartment complexes and residential neighborhoods, as well as a church. cite news|first=Jane|last=Prendergast|author=Jane Prendergast|url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061021/NEWS01/610210376/1056/COL02|title=Loveland shooting range is closer|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett|date=2006-10-21|accessdate=2006-10-21] In May 2007, the building was converted into a boarding kennel.cite news|url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070810/BIZ01/308100011/|title=Luxury pet lodge opens|author=Jeff McKinney|first=Jeff|last=McKinney|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=2007-08-10|accessdate=2007-08-11 cite news|url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070812/BIZ01/708120352/|title=Take a trip; pamper your pet|author=Jeff McKinney|first=Jeff|last=McKinney|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=2007-08-12|accessdate=2007-08-12]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 11,677 people, 4,497 households, and 3,224 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,513.5 people per square mile (969.6/km²). There were 4,653 housing units at an average density of 1,001.6/sq mi (386.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.66% White, 1.56% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.42% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.

There were 4,497 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,738, and the median income for a family was $63,535. Males had a median income of $49,653 versus $29,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,920. About 5.7% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. According to 2002 data from the Internal Revenue Service, Loveland residents gave 2.60% of their net income to charity.cite news|url=http://dunes.cincinnati.com/data/realestate/charity/|title=How generous is your neighborhood? Charity has a ZIP code, and it's 45051|author=Gregory Korte|first=Gregory|last=Korte|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|accessdate=2007-07-05]

Historic population figures

The city had 10,122 people in 1990; 9,990 in 1980; 9,106 in 1970; 7,144 in 1960; 2,149 in 1950; 1,904 in 1940; 1,954 in 1930;cite web|title=Decennial Census of Population, 1900 to 2000, by Place|author=Office of Strategic Research, Ohio Department of Development|url=http://www.odod.state.oh.us/research/FILES/P009110003.pdf|accessdate=2007-05-28] 1,557 in 1920; 1,421 in 1910; and 1,260 in 1900. In 1890, Loveland West had 392 residents in on the Hamilton County side,cite book|url=http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Hamilton/HamiltonChapXXXVII.htm|title=History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County: Their Past and Present|chapter=Census of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 1890|pages=457–458|year=1894|publisher=S. B. Nelson & Co., Publishers|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|accessdate=2007-05-28] while Loveland had 761 in Clermont and Warren Counties;cite web|url=http://www.livgenmi.com/1895/OH/Index/l.htm|title=Ohio "L"|work=1895 World Atlas|author=Livingston County Michigan History & Genealogy Project|date=2003|accessdate=2007-06-09 Compiled from cite book|title=The New 11 × 14 Atlas of the World|publisher=Rand McNally|year=1895] cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=vBQAAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA843|title=Annual Report of the Secretary of State to the Governor of the State of Ohio, for the Fiscal Year Ending November 15|author=Christian L. Poorman|first=Christian L.|last=Poorman|authorlink=Christian L. Poorman|location=Columbus, Ohio|year=1893|quote=Total for Loveland village (a), in Miami township, Clermont county, Loveland village (part of) 732 ... Total for Loveland village (a), in Hamilton township, Loveland village (part of) 29] and in 1880 Loveland Village on the Clermont County side had 595 residentscite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=yTMZAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA246|title=Compendium of the Tenth Census, Part I|author=Census Office, United States Department of the Interior|publisher=United States Government Printing Office|location=Washington, D.C.|year=1883|pages=246|accessdate=2007-05-28] and Loveland West on the Hamilton County side had 197.cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohhamilt/histhc/396.htm#400|chapter=Symmes|title=History of Hamilton County Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches|author=Henry A. Ford, A.M.|first=Henry A., A.M|last=Ford|coauthors=Kate B. Ford|page=400|publisher=L. A. Williams & Co|year=1881|accessdate=2007-06-08]

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PlotData= color:barra width:20 align:left bar:1880 from:0 till:792 bar:1890 from:0 till:1153 bar:1900 from:0 till:1260 bar:1910 from:0 till:1421 bar:1920 from:0 till:1557 bar:1930 from:0 till:1954 bar:1940 from:0 till:1904 bar:1950 from:0 till:2149 bar:1960 from:0 till:7144 bar:1970 from:0 till:9106 bar:1980 from:0 till:9990 bar:1990 from:0 till:10122 bar:2000 from:0 till:11677

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TextData= fontsize:S pos:(20,45) text:Source – United States Census Bureau, Ohio Department of Development, History of HamiltonTextData= fontsize:S pos:(20,30) text:County OhioTextData= fontsize:S pos:(20,15) text:* Village of Loveland and unincorporated community of West Loveland.

Education

The city's main public school district, Loveland City School District, operated as separate Loveland East and Loveland West districts until 1926. Loveland High School is located in Symmes Township, just outside the city limits. The northern- and southernmost parts of Loveland are served by Sycamore Community School District. Surrounding communities lie within the boundaries of Kings Local School District, Milford Exempted Village School District, and Little Miami Local School District.cite web|title=Ohio School Districts and Townships by County - Revised 2007|publisher=Public Utilities Commission of Ohio|date=2007-03-05|accessdate=2008-04-23|url=http://www.puc.state.oh.us/pucogis/sd2007_pdf/SD2007.HTML] The city is also served by the Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development, a regional vocational school district. There are many private schools located near Loveland, including Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Archbishop Moeller High School, and Ursuline Academy at the secondary level, and St. Margaret of York School, St. Columban School, and Children's Meeting House Montessori School at the elementary level. At the 2000 census, 24.6% of Loveland children attended private or parochial schools, the nineteenth-highest rate among Greater Cincinnati communities.cite news|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2002/10/20/loc_privschool20coming.html|title=Tristaters put stock in private schools|author=Ken Alltucker|first=Ken|last=Alltucker|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=2002-10-20|page=A1|accessdate=2007-10-21]

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County maintains a branch library in downtown Loveland, as well as a larger regional branch library in Symmes Township. The nearest branch of the Clermont County Public Library is in Milford. Warren County has no county-wide public library system, but the Mason Public Library is the nearest public library in the county.

Culture and recreation

Biking along the Loveland Bike Trail and canoeing along the Little Miami River are popular activities during the summer. Loveland has a series of 16 city parks, including neighborhood "tot lots", a Veteran's Memorial, Fireman's Memorial, and the Little Miami Bike Trail (of which the Loveland Bike Trail is a subsection). The parks are maintained by the City of Loveland Recreation Commission.

Loveland is included in the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In the 1920s, Boy Scout troop leader Harry Andrews built the Loveland Castle (or "Château Laroche") on the banks of the Little Miami River; the folly exists today as a museum.cite web|url=http://www.cincinnatiusa.com/Attractions/detail.asp?AttractionID=130|title=Loveland Castle|work=Cincinnati USA|accessdate=2007-06-26] Another landmark, Edwin M. Shield's House, is located nearby. The Gothic-style building, also known as the William Johnston House or Shield's Crossing, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.cite web|author=Ohio Historic Preservation Office|title=Shield's, Edwin M., House|url=http://dbs.ohiohistory.org/hp/detail.cfm?ID=82003592|work=National Register of Historic Places]

Loveland is also home to the Loveland Stage Company, a theatre group that started in 1979 and has performed at least two major productions each year since 1980. In October 2002, after several years of fundraising and renovations, the group moved into Crist Theater, an old movie theater donated by the Loveland–Symmes Fire Department.cite web|author=Loveland Stage Company|date=2005-12-07|url=http://www.lovelandstagecompany.org/History.htm|title=A Brief History of the Loveland Stage Company|accessdate=2006-05-29]

JulyFest, SymmesFest, and local church festivals are held annually during the summer months. Fireworks displays by Rozzi's Famous Fireworks of nearby Symmes Township are a staple at such events. Loveland offers a small collection of bars and restaurants including The Works, Paxton's Grill, Blue Chip Cookies, Cindy's Friendly Tavern, The Sleepy Hollow Inn, and Zappz.

Although the city's unusual name came from the last name of the village storeowner and postmaster, rather than the concept, Loveland has incorporated a "love" theme throughout the city. Loveland water towers and park signs sport the city's logo: a red heart inscribed with a sun, clouds, and the Little Miami River, and surrounded with the city's nickname, "Sweetheart of Ohio." The Loveland Post Office, which began operations on October 24, 1831 as the Obionsville Post Office,cite book|author=John S. Gallagher|first=John S.|last=Gallagher|coauthors=Alan H. Patera|title=The Post Offices of Ohio|accessdate=1992-08-17|year=1979|publisher=The Depot|location=Burtonsville, Maryland|page=111|quote=Established as Obionsville Post Office on 24 October 1831, name changed to Obanionsville Post Office on 31 July 1832, name changed to Loveland Post Office on 14 January 1848. ] was also the site of the United States Postal Service's unveiling of a special "Love Stamp" in 1994. Since 1972, the Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce has run a special Valentine's Day program, which includes a poetry contest, the selection of a "Valentine Lady", and the hand-stamping of envelopes with a Valentine-themed cachet and cancellation that reads "There is nothing in this world so sweet as Love."cite web|author=Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce|url=http://www.lovelandchamber.org/programs.html|title=Chamber Programs|accessdate=2006-05-18] cite news|author=Staff writer|url=http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20070207/NEWS01/702070346/|title=Chamber stamps valentines at post office|work=The Loveland Herald|publisher=The Community Press|date=2007-02-07|accessdate=2007-02-13]

Loveland's weekly newspaper was called "The Tri-County Press" from 1901 until 1917, when it was renamed "The Loveland Herald". Defunct newspapers include "The Loveland Weekly Herald" (1877–?), "The Loveland Enterprise" (1884–?), "The Hustler" (1906–1911), "The Loveland News World" (1980s), and "The Loveland Record".cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohclecgs/clermontnewspapers/newspapers.html|title=Newspapers of Clermont County|author=Barbara McCarthy|first=Barbara|last=McCarthy|publisher=Clermont County Genealogical Society|accessdate=2007-05-28]

Notable residents

This list includes notable people who at some point lived in Loveland:

;Arts and entertainment
*Wendy Barrie-Wilson – Broadway actress
*Ann Donahue – prominent television writercite news|author=John Kiesewetter|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Writer models 'M.Y.O.B.' set after Loveland alma mater|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2000/06/04/loc_writer_models_m_y_o.html|date=2000-06-04|accessdate=2006-10-16]
*Thomas Hammons – opera singercite news|url=http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100092&sid=115071|title=World-renowned Opera Singer Lives in Loveland|author=Liz Sidor|first=Liz|last=Sidor|work=Cincinnati.Com|publisher=Gannett Company|date=2007-07-06|accessdate=2007-07-10] cite news|url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070708/ENT/707080312/|title=Different paths for 'Nixon' stars|author=Janelle Gelfand|first=Janelle|last=Gelfand|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=2007-07-08|accessdate=2007-07-10]
*Lillian Morris – "" contestantcite news|author=John Kiesewetter|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Warren County Scoutmaster pitches camp with 'Survivor'|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/08/31/tem_Survivor31.html|date=2003-08-31|accessdate=2006-10-16]

;Athletics
*Don Biggs – retired Canadian professional ice hockey player
*Matt Hamill – three-time NCAA Wrestling Division III National Champion
*Becky Jasontek – synchronized swimmer; bronze medalist at the 2004 Summer Olympics
*Joe Kelly – professional football linebackercite news|url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070811/NEWS01/708110396/|title=NFL was easy by comparison|author=Joy Kraft|first=Joy|last=Kraft|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett Company|date=2007-08-11|accessdate=2007-08-11]
*April Kerley – swimmer (class S9) at the 2008 Summer Paralympicscite news|title=Loveland woman competes in Beijing|author=Chuck Gibson|first=Chuck|last=Gibson|work=The Loveland Herald|publisher=The Community Press|date=2008-08-18|accessdate=2008-08-19|url=http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20080818/SPT/808180332/]
*Tacks Latimer – professional baseball catcher and convicted murderercite web|title=Tacks Latimer|author=Jon Daly|first=Jon|last=Daly|work=The Baseball Biography Project|publisher=Society for American Baseball Research|url=http://bioproj.sabr.org/bioproj.cfm?a=v&bid=1119&pid=8002]
*Jack Pfiester – professional baseball playercite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=pfiesja01|title=Jack Pfiester Stats|work=Baseball Almanac|accessdate=2007-04-06]

;Military
*Thomas T. Heath – Civil War generalcite news|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/local/loveland/E30html_08192003__GNLroadtrip.ART_Other.html|title=Loveland, Symmes still recall Civil War, rail era|author=Randy McNutt|last=McNutt|first=Randy|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|publisher=Gannett|date=2003-08-19|accessdate=2007-04-06]
*James Hall – Army captain, editor of "Western Monthly Magazine", lawyer, and juristcite encyclopedia|title=James Hall (1793–1868)|encyclopedia=The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Ohio of the Nineteenth Century|editor=Charles Robson|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|publisher=Galaxy Publishing Company|year=1876|pages=660–661|url=http://myweb.wvnet.edu/~jelkins/lp-2001/hall2.html]

;Politics and law
*Salmon P. Chase – Chief Justice of the United States
*Anna McGarry – social activist on interracial justice and community organizer
*Bill Schickel – Iowa State Representative

References

See also

*Chateau Laroche
*Loveland frog
*Loveland Park, Ohio

External links

; Government and local organizations
* [http://www.lovelandoh.com/ City of Loveland]
* [http://www.lsfd.org/ Loveland-Symmes Fire Department]
* [http://www.lovelandpolice.org/ Loveland Police Department]
* [http://www.lovelandschools.org/ Loveland City School District]
* [http://www.lovelandchamber.org/ Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.lovelandstagecompany.org/ Loveland Stage Company]

; Press
* [http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=Local&prof=1111 The Loveland Herald]
* [http://www.lovelandmagazine.com/ Loveland Magazine]

; History
* [http://www.lovelandmuseum.org/ Greater Loveland Historical Society Museum]
* [http://www.historicloveland.com/ Historic Loveland on the Little Miami]
* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohclecgs/maps/maps1891/miami1891.pdf 1891 map of Miami Township] , including Loveland east of the Little Miami River
* [http://omp.ohiolink.edu/OMP/NewSearch?searchstring=Loveland+(Ohio)&fieldname=place Historical photographs taken in Loveland] – Ohio Memory
* [http://www.cincinnatimemory.org/cgi-bin/library?e=q-000-00---0greaterc--00-0-0--0prompt-10---4----dd1--0-1l--1-en-50---20-home-Loveland+(Ohio)--00031-001-0-0utfZz-8-00&q=Loveland Historical photographs of Loveland] – Greater Cincinnati Memory Project
*YouTube|C6jcRIhjzHE|Loveland, Ohio, 1984

; Maps
*wikitravelpar|Loveland (Ohio)|Loveland, Ohio