Covington will turn 200 years old next year, but did you know that its most populous neighborhood has only been part of the city for a quarter of that time?

Ah, Covington, with its impressive collection of in-tact nineteenth century architecture, its rich history stretching from the riverfront to Ritte’s Corner in Latonia, and its longtime role as the urban center of Northern Kentucky, is also home to 4,000 acres of rolling hills, split-level homes, and cul-de-sacs.

It’s a far off land known as South Covington.

In 1965, the City of Covington annexed 4,000 acres of unincorporated land in Kenton County, south of Latonia and Taylor Mill. In the 1990s, the area exploded in growth with the arrival of large commercial enterprises and seemingly endless rows of subdivisions.

Now, South Covington is home to more than 7,000 people, or roughly 18% of the city’s population. It is the largest neighborhood of the nineteen in Covington in both geographic size and population.

But even though nearly a fifth of Covington’s population lives there, South Covington is quite a different place than the older part of town. It’s a special experience for those of us who grew up there or live there now.

Here are 12 signs that you are from South Covington:

1. Orange barrels have been a regular part of your life for what feels like two decades

The widening of Taylor Mill Road (KY 16) isn’t just a big deal in Taylor Mill. It’s completely changed your neck of the woods, too. You’ve known it was coming since Clinton was President, and for the past several years it’s been a pain during your commute. 

But hey – there’s now a stoplight at Hands Pike!

2. Covington’s Holmes-Holy Cross rivalry means nothing to you

Because you went to Scott. 

Go Eagles!

Scott High School, with its beautiful wooded campus so big that it has its own cross country course on site, is actually in Taylor Mill, but statewide it’s referred to as Covington Scott in athletics competition.

3. You spend or spent your summers here:

The Taylor Mill Swim & Tennis Club. Not as fancy as it sounds, but pretty awesome times nonetheless!

4. You live or grew up in one of three types of houses:

The ranch.

The split-level.

The subdivision. Part brick, part vinyl. 4 bedrooms, two and a half baths, optional fireplace, and if you felt like splurging, you got an extended breakfast nook when you were having it built.

5. The fact that this hill is now empty makes you sad.

Why?

Because there used to be a Gold Star Chili there, another casualty of the widening of Taylor Mill Road. #SadFace

6. Curvy, hilly road? No problem.

Hands Pike and Wayman Branch may scare the daylights out of outsiders, but you can take these curves at 60 miles an hour Like. A. Boss.

(But you really shouldn’t!)

7. Going out to dinner usually means one of two things.

With your grandparents?

Log Cabin, it is!

With friends?

It’s beer and wings at Knuk n Futz!

8. You have to leave Covington to get to South Covington.

In Downtown Covington or Latonia and want to get to South Covington?

Have fun driving through Ft. Wright or Taylor Mill first! There is no (legal) way to drive from those parts of the city to the southern end without leaving the city limits.

9. You share the neighborhood with some important government offices

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet – District 6, the Kenton County Animal Shelter, and the Kenton County Detention Center are all in South Covington!

10. Oh, Downtown Covington has a White Castle? That’s cute.

Because South Covington has a White Castle FACTORY.

Yes, while the fast food drive-through version of the iconic American classic is available near the riverfront, the tiny hamburgers are cooked and preserved for future generations here at the frozen products factory.

It is one of many large commercial operations in South Covington where so many employees come to town: Atkins & Pierce, Hosea, Club Chef, and others, including the city’s second largest employer, just up the hill from White Castle, Fidelity Investments.

11. You have a pretty sweet park

Pioneer Park has it all: trails, water, sports fields, tranquility (well, when 3L Highway isn’t buzzing too loudly nearby, which is never).

The coolest part of this 43-acre treasure is the way that, after a big rain, it manages to turn itself into a lake:

12. You’re proud to be from Covington.

Even though your part of the city looks nothing like the rest of it, it’s a pretty amazing thing to live in suburban Northern Kentucky while having the address of its largest city. Best of both worlds all in one special place!

Written by Michael Monks, editor & publisher of The River City News, and a proud native of South Covington

Follow The River City News on Facebook, Twitter, or email us!

Covington will turn 200 years old next year, but did you know that its most populous neighborhood has only been part of the city for a quarter of that time?

Ah, Covington, with its impressive collection of in-tact nineteenth century architecture, its rich history stretching from the riverfront to Ritte’s Corner in Latonia, and its longtime role as the urban center of Northern Kentucky, is also home to 4,000 acres of rolling hills, split-level homes, and cul-de-sacs.

It’s a far off land known as South Covington.

In 1965, the City of Covington annexed 4,000 acres of unincorporated land in Kenton County, south of Latonia and Taylor Mill. In the 1990s, the area exploded in growth with the arrival of large commercial enterprises and seemingly endless rows of subdivisions.

Now, South Covington is home to more than 7,000 people, or roughly 18% of the city’s population. It is the largest neighborhood of the nineteen in Covington in both geographic size and population.

But even though nearly a fifth of Covington’s population lives there, South Covington is quite a different place than the older part of town. It’s a special experience for those of us who grew up there or live there now.

Here are 12 signs that you are from South Covington:

1. Orange barrels have been a regular part of your life for what feels like two decades

The widening of Taylor Mill Road (KY 16) isn’t just a big deal in Taylor Mill. It’s completely changed your neck of the woods, too. You’ve known it was coming since Clinton was President, and for the past several years it’s been a pain during your commute. 

But hey – there’s now a stoplight at Hands Pike!

2. Covington’s Holmes-Holy Cross rivalry means nothing to you

Because you went to Scott. 

Go Eagles!

Scott High School, with its beautiful wooded campus so big that it has its own cross country course on site, is actually in Taylor Mill, but statewide it’s referred to as Covington Scott in athletics competition.

3. You spend or spent your summers here:

The Taylor Mill Swim & Tennis Club. Not as fancy as it sounds, but pretty awesome times nonetheless!

4. You live or grew up in one of three types of houses:

The ranch.

The split-level.

The subdivision. Part brick, part vinyl. 4 bedrooms, two and a half baths, optional fireplace, and if you felt like splurging, you got an extended breakfast nook when you were having it built.

5. The fact that this hill is now empty makes you sad.

Why?

Because there used to be a Gold Star Chili there, another casualty of the widening of Taylor Mill Road. #SadFace

6. Curvy, hilly road? No problem.

Hands Pike and Wayman Branch may scare the daylights out of outsiders, but you can take these curves at 60 miles an hour Like. A. Boss.

(But you really shouldn’t!)

7. Going out to dinner usually means one of two things.

With your grandparents?

Log Cabin, it is!

With friends?

It’s beer and wings at Knuk n Futz!

8. You have to leave Covington to get to South Covington.

In Downtown Covington or Latonia and want to get to South Covington?

Have fun driving through Ft. Wright or Taylor Mill first! There is no (legal) way to drive from those parts of the city to the southern end without leaving the city limits.

9. You share the neighborhood with some important government offices

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet – District 6, the Kenton County Animal Shelter, and the Kenton County Detention Center are all in South Covington!

10. Oh, Downtown Covington has a White Castle? That’s cute.

Because South Covington has a White Castle FACTORY.

Yes, while the fast food drive-through version of the iconic American classic is available near the riverfront, the tiny hamburgers are cooked and preserved for future generations here at the frozen products factory.

It is one of many large commercial operations in South Covington where so many employees come to town: Atkins & Pierce, Hosea, Club Chef, and others, including the city’s second largest employer, just up the hill from White Castle, Fidelity Investments.

11. You have a pretty sweet park

Pioneer Park has it all: trails, water, sports fields, tranquility (well, when 3L Highway isn’t buzzing too loudly nearby, which is never).

The coolest part of this 43-acre treasure is the way that, after a big rain, it manages to turn itself into a lake:

12. You’re proud to be from Covington.

Even though your part of the city looks nothing like the rest of it, it’s a pretty amazing thing to live in suburban Northern Kentucky while having the address of its largest city. Best of both worlds all in one special place!

Written by Michael Monks, editor & publisher of The River City News, and a proud native of South Covington

Follow The River City News on Facebook, Twitter, or email us!