Grafton Hill - Dayton, OH

In 1875, John Stoddard, a prominent farm-implement manufacturer, developed Grafton Hill’s exclusive Belmonte Park residential area, which appealed to the rich Dayton residents who were moving out of the city into the surrounding areas during the time. Before long, the Dayton Art Institute and the Dayton Masonic Temple were built, adding to the community’s affluent atmosphere. Grafton Hill’s fashionable reputation was maintained until the 1950s. The neighborhood was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1986, and the community became focused on revitalization.

Even though the Dayton Art Institute sits in Grafton Hill, the neighborhood doesn’t have a thriving arts scene. Residents venture into the downtown Dayton area to enjoy live theater performances at the Victoria Theater and the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. Downtown Dayton also hosts several annual events, including the Dayton Celtic Festival and the Hispanic Heritage Festival.

Grafton Hill doesn’t house any restaurants or bars, so residents take a short drive into downtown Dayton when they want to eat at a restaurant or enjoy a few drinks. A variety of fast-food, Mexican, Chinese, and Italian restaurants dot the city’s downtown streets, but the restaurants that serve home-style food and barbecue draw the biggest crowds.

Halal Homestyle Chili & Bourbon Chicken on North Ludlow Street doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the tiny establishment serves some of the best chicken and Cincinnati style chili in the Dayton area. The restaurant serves cheeseburgers and gyros, but regulars can’t get enough of the blackened chicken and the chili dogs. Locals insist that Halal’s great food, affordable prices and generous portions make it one of Dayton’s most-cherished hidden gems.

Located on West Fifth Street, the Spaghetti Warehouse serves amazing Italian food. Servers greet you with a loaf of warm, fresh bread and creamy garlic butter to munch on while you wait for your meal to arrive. Even though the restaurant has an extensive menu, the lasagna, manicotti, chicken Parmesan and fettuccine Alfredo are said to be the restaurant’s best dishes.

When Grafton Hill residents want to dance the night away, they head to Dayton’s Oregon District, which sits along the eastern border of downtown Dayton. The historic area features a cobblestone street lined with bars that feature live music and dance clubs. George Newcom’s Tavern attracts a good mixture of people. Those who want to dance enjoy the tavern’s upstairs dance floor, which features a live DJ on the weekends. Those looking for a laid-back scene appreciate the tavern’s large booths and the relaxed atmosphere surrounding the small bar in the patio area. Ned Peppers Bar & Grill, another bar that’s popular with the locals, has a more casual atmosphere. The bar features a large dance floor and a live DJ on weekends. It also has numerous pool tables and dart boards to entertain guests who don’t want to dance.

The majority of the people living in Grafton Hill depend on their own vehicles for transportation. The neighborhood has plenty of free parking, and direct access to Interstate 75 makes navigating the city by car simple. Those who don’t drive rely on public transportation. The Greater Dayton RTA operates the several bus routes that service the Grafton Hill area, making it easy for residents to visit destinations throughout Dayton and its suburbs without a vehicle. You can’t hail a cab in Grafton Hill, and Uber isn’t an option, but you can call one of the city’s taxicab companies to schedule pickup when you need a ride.

Grafton Hill sits on a hilly area of land, so walking and riding bikes aren’t feasible modes of transportation. However, a portion of the Ohio Bikeways runs through the southern part of Grafton Hill along the banks of the Miami River. The paved bike trails attract people who enjoy roller skating, walking, jogging and cycling.

The only park in Grafton Hill, McKinley Park consists of a large green space and a few benches. The park may not have a lot to offer, but the open green space makes it a good park to take your dog. Dog owners also enjoy walking their dogs in Deeds MetroPark, which sits east of Grafton Hill in the McPherson neighborhood. The paved trails running through Deeds MetroPark also attract joggers and cyclists.

Island MetroPark, located north of Grafton Hill on Helena Street, spans 33 acres of land. Parents take their children to Island MetroPark for its playground and water play area, and people who enjoy exercising outside use the park’s two-mile paved trail for jogging, bike riding, walking and roller skating.

Downtown Dayton’s RiverScape MetroPark also features a splash fountain that children enjoy. In the winter, parents take their kids to the park to ice skate, and people enjoy renting kayaks and bikes at the park during the warmer months. The park also hosts free exercise classes under its pavilion in the spring and summer and hosts several annual events, including the city’s Fourth of July celebration and fireworks, the Dayton Blues Festival and the Dayton Reggae Fest.

Grafton Hill’s cost of living is approximately 5 percent higher than Dayton’s average cost of living. Fortunately, the slightly higher costs only applies to housing. The cost of other necessities remain on par with the rest of the city. Expect to pay around $498 per month to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Grafton Hill. A beer at a local bar costs between $3 and $5, and a one-way bus ride costs $1.75. Typically, gas prices average approximately nine percent lower than the national average.

You won’t find any stores in Historic Grafton Hill, but you don’t have to travel far to find what you need. Even though adjacent neighborhoods don’t have major shopping areas, upscale shops or department stores, they do have several specialty shops.

The Historic Oregon District features several one-of-a-kind shops, including BRIM -- a store that specializes in hats and accessories. The hat shop features a wide range of hats for both men and women. While the shop carries hats from major brands, it also carries hats produced by artisanal, small-batch hat makers, making it easier to find something unique. In addition to hats, the store sells wallets, jewelry, shaving supplies and scarves.

Bonnett’s Book Store, also located in the Oregon District, sells used, collectible and rare books, comic books and magazines. Regular customers enjoy browsing through the store’s hard-to-find comics and out-of-print books. Be prepared to search through merchandise to find the hidden gems. While the store is fun to visit, it doesn’t stay very organized.

Grafton Hill residents visit Food Time Market on Geyer Street or United Foods and People’s Market on Main Street to pick up basic necessities in between large grocery shopping trips. To complete large grocery shopping trips, residents visit the IGA Supermarket or Save-A-Lot on North Gettysburg Avenue. Visit the 2nd Street Market to purchase fresh produce and baked goods. The year-round farmer's market opens on Thrusdays, Fridays and Saturdays.