BROWN COUNTY, OHIO
County Offices
800 Mt. Orab Pike
Georgetown 937-378-3956
https://www.browncountyohio.gov
Chamber of Commerce
103 North Main Street
Georgetown 937-378-4784
http://browncountyohiochamber.com
Approximately 40 miles east of Cincinnati, fast-growing Brown County attracts newcomers to rural charm and country pleasures. New residents are being drawn to Brown County in increasing number for its blend of rural charm with convenience to eastern Cincinnati via Routes 32 and 125 and State Highways 50 and 52. Welcoming small towns dot the landscape, although the state-of-the-art services that area available to these communities are more commonly associated with larger urban areas.
Services
Quality public and private schools that cover every academic level are available close to home, including several institutions of higher education. Ohio State University operates an OSU Extension in Georgetown. Affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, Chatfield College provides multiple campuses and learning centers throughout the area, with its main campus in St. Martin and another in Cincinnati. Southern State Community College based in Hillsboro provides a wealth of options from two-year degrees and certifications to college-track programs, career and business training, and continuing education. Other campus centers for SSCC are located in Washington Court House, Wilmington, and Sardina. Wilmington College in Wilmington provides a highly respected private college opportunity with a long and proud tradition. Nearby Cincinnati adds quality options like the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University.
First-rate healthcare facilities and services include a number of regional hospitals and medical centers. Brown County is home to Brown County Regional HealthCARE, a 115-bed acute-care hospital in Georgetown. The wide variety of services include 24-hour emergency care, a renovated maternity and birthing unit, intensive care, advanced imaging, cardiopulmonary, same-day surgery, surgical specialties, home care, hospice, and satellite centers in rural areas. The nearest major medical center outside of Brown County is Mercy Hospital Clermont, rated among the top 10 nationally for quality of care in a recent report published by Total Benchmark Solutions. Other nearby facilities are Highland District Hospital in Hillsboro and Clinton Memorial Hospital in Wilmington. Nearby Cincinnati provides a number of other healthcare options that includes specialists in every specialty and many subspecialties.
Lifestyle
Providing a slower pace of living, a country atmosphere, and small but friendly villages, Brown County is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan region. This land-rich area is ideal for new-home building, providing the opportunity for generous lots for equestrian interests or just a measure of luxurious privacy. Many newcomers are willing to make a little longer commute to regional employment centers if they can return home to serene rural images and a close-knit community spirit. Although the bright lights of Cincinnati are close at hand for world-class cultural and entertainment attractions, Brown County is proud of its rich heritage, colorful past, and dedication to historic preservation. Historic highlights include Ulysses Grant’s boyhood home in Georgetown and the homes of John Rankin and John Parker in Ripley.
Georgetown, serving as the county seat, is also the center of community life in Brown County. The area is home to the 1907 Gaslight Theater, beautifully renovated in 2000 to serve as a regional cultural center and arts venue. Activities and events dot the annual calendar, from the performing arts to lectures, educational programs, and historic presentations. Colorful festivals and seasonal celebrations bring friends and family together for such popular events as the Brown County Fair, the Brown County Bluegrass Festival, historic home tours, the Ohio Valley Antique Machinery Show, and the U.S. Grant Celebration.
Reflecting Cincinnati’s metropolitan expansion outward, Brown County features a great deal of new construction that blends harmoniously with traditional and historic architecture. The southernmost sections of the county encompassing the towns of Ripley and Aberdeen are located along the Ohio River. Other major communities include Fayetteville, Mount Orab, and Sardinia.
Fayetteville, St. Martin
Fayetteville Offices
513-875-3535
https://www.fayettevilleoh.us/home
Chamber of Commerce
937-378-4784
http://browncountyohiochamber.com
Providing a quiet village atmosphere in the northern section of Brown County, the small communities of Fayetteville and St. Martin are well served by U.S. Highways 50 and 68. Residents enjoy the tranquility of rural living in close proximity to the cosmopolitan attractions and amenities in Cincinnati. A wealth of outdoor adventures and activities are available in regional recreational areas like East Fork State Park and Caesar Creek State Park. The amenities of Georgetown in Brown County are easily accessible. New homes dot the area, contributing to the county’s reputation as one of the fastest-growing areas in the state.
Georgetown
Municipal Offices
937-378-6395
http://georgetownohio.org
Chamber of Commerce
937-378-4784
http://browncountyohiochamber.com
The county seat of Georgetown also plays a leading role in cultural attractions, recreational sites, education, and healthcare. The local Kathryn Hanlon Park offers a 40-acre expanse that features a mile walking trails, a playground area, a basketball court, soccer fields, baseball or softball diamonds, volleyball courts, and picnic shelters. Other village highlights include public golf courses, an historic performing arts theater, popular festivals and celebrations, historic sites and reenactments, and the boyhood home of former U.S. president Ulysses S. Grant. The housing in the Georgetown area is a charming blend of grand old architecture and renovated properties with vibrant new construction.
Mt. Orab
Municipal Offices
937-444-4141
https://www.mtoraboh.us
Chamber of Commerce
937-378-4784
http://browncountyohiochamber.com
Nestled in southwestern Ohio along the shores of scenic Grant Lake, the small community of Mount Orab is 10 miles north of the county seat of Georgetown. The bright lights of Cincinnati are just 30 miles from home, which gives residents quick and easy access to urban amenities and large employment centers. The village is ideally located at the intersection of State Route 32 and State Route 68, which places it in an excellent position for continued growth and development. Anglers will enjoy spending quiet hours lakeside, although this panoramic body of water adds a great deal of visual and recreational appeal to the entire area.
Ripley
Municipal Offices
937-392-4377
http://villageofripley.com
Chamber of Commerce
937-378-4784
http://browncountyohiochamber.com
Hugging the Ohio River, the community of Ripley is best known for its historical attractions. Gracious hospitality, festivals, museums, wineries, boutiques, and easy access to water recreation have made this small village a popular destination. A number of interesting getaways and side trips are nearby. The surrounding countryside features five covered bridges and is brimming over with historic significance. From the Tecumseh and Shawnee Native Americans to the pioneering era and the Civil War, this quaint town located along US Highway 52 is part of the Ohio River Scenic Byway. Ripley gained national notoriety for its strong beliefs in the abolition of slavery and many of its citizens were active in the Underground Railroad movement.
