Back in November 2005, Geoffrey G. Gorsuch’s book simply titled “Franklin” was published. He is an avid local historian and an active member of the Franklin Historical Society. Franklin was established in 1796 as a collection of cabins along the Great Miami River. When the Miami Canal came through the village in 1829, and later the railroad, many new industries came to the area, and the downtown filled with fine brick residences, businesses, churches, and public buildings. The town prospered through the 19th century, and the community’s leaders proclaimed a grand celebration of its past, present and future with the Franklin Homecoming of 1910. In 1913, Franklin was struck by the Flood of 1913, but quickly recovered becoming a modern city. This book covers Franklin’s beginnings to 1920.
Another one of Arcadia’s books is titled “Lebanon” and was published in January 2011. It is by Fred Compton who has studied Lebanon’s history for more than 40 years Founded in 1802, Lebanon is not as old as Franklin. It was located midway on the main stage line between Cincinnati and Dayton, and a natural stopping place for travelers throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many important people, including 12 United States presidents and numerous authors and dignitaries who helped mold this country’s future, have stopped in Lebanon. Lebanon has Ohio’s oldest business, the Golden Lamb, the oldest weekly newspaper west of the Allegheny Mountains in the Western Star, many historic buildings, and the Warren County Shakers (There is a book on the Warren County Shakers - The Shakers of Union Village).
Four of the books have been done about Middletown. Ron Roberson’s book is titled “Middletown Pacemakers: The Story of an Ohio Hot Rod Club.” It covers the hot rod and racing scene in the 1940s into the 1970s and the later reunions of the club.
I have been involved with three of the books. The first two were with the late George C. Crout. Known as an educator, Mr. Crout was also well known as Middletown’s historian and writer of local history. He taught me a lot about this area’s history and how to put together a book.
The first one is titled “Middletown Ohio” and was published in 1998. It provides a glimpse into the history of Middletown and the surrounding area. Middletown has grown from 50 people to more than 50,000. It started as a farm community, but with the development of the Miami-Erie Canal, Middletown developed into an industrial center. Form the early days when pork packing was the chief industry, tobacco, paper and steel production have all been very important.
The second book George Crout and I did was titled “Middletown the Steel City.” It was published in 2000 commemorating the 100th anniversary of steel making in Middletown. It begins with a visit of George M. Verity to Middletown to see if the village would be the proper location for his new integrated steel mill. The American Rolling Mill Company years, the Armco years and the AK Steel years are covered in this book.
The recent book that I have been involved with was published in December 2011. It is titled “Middletown” and is made very much like the other books except it is in Arcadia’s “Postcard History Series” of books. This book came about when coauthor David C. Clendenin started bringing old Middletown postcards to me. He wanted to know more about them. Hundreds of different postcards have been made of Middletown scenes. They record Middletown’s history from before the start of the 20th century into the 21st century. The 1913 flood was a traumatic event that happened in the Miami River Valley. Photographers took many photographs of the flood and the cleanup afterwards that were made into postcards. Middletown’s famous “Rapid Transit” horsecar also had its share of photographs made into postcards. Industrial concerns, downtown street scenes, schools, industrial concerns, and churches have all had postcards made of them.
Those living in the Monroe area might want to check out Marcia McCartt’s book “Monroe.” Named after President James Monroe, the location was platted by Nathaniel Sackett and John Piatt in 1817. McCartt made use of photographs belonging to the Monroe Historical Society as well as those from several private collections. Many are from the second half of the 19th century.
Another one of Arcadia’s books that people in this area might be interested in is Scott Fowler’s book “LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park.” If you ever went to LeSourdsville Lake, this book would be of interest.
About the Author