Colerain Township near Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Colerain Turnpike Watering Trough
1. Photo Wanted
This spring fed watering trough was erected by Giles Richards (1792-1876) in 1867 and has provided water to travelers and livestock ever since. Richards owned and operated a number of enterprises in Colerain Township starting in the early 1800s. Upon the marble slab just above the iron trough is engraved:
Stranger and traveler
Drink freely and bestow
A kindly thought on him
Who bade this fountain flow
Yet hath no other claim
Than as the minister
Of blessings in God’s name
Drink and in peace go
Erected 2006 by the Coleraine Historical Society and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 07-31.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 39° 18.302′ N, 84° 38.086′ W. Marker was near Cincinnati, Ohio, in Hamilton County. It was in Colerain Township. Marker was on Colerain Avenue, 0.2 miles east of East Miami River Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Cincinnati OH 45252, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies.
this page online
More about this marker. There is a wide spot on the road just opposite the water trough where one car can carefully maneuver barely off the driving lane to park. Passenger may have trouble getting out because of the guard rail.
Regarding the missing marker: The Ohio History Connection’s Remarkable Ohio reports that the marker has been temporarily removed. No date is given for its return.
Regarding Colerain Turnpike Watering Trough. It is roadside. The water trough is difficult to spot when driving eastbound because you've just made a turn on a twisty road and are looking ahead at the next one.
Additional commentary.
1. Poem is by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem inscribed on marble at the trough is the poem John G. Whittier sent to in a letter
Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 22, 2021
2. Colerain Turnpike Watering Trough and Marker Pole
The pole of the missing historical marker is visible to the right of the trough.
Stranger and traveler !
Drink freely and bestow
A kindly thought on her
Who bade this fountain flow ;
Yet hath for it no claim
Than as the minister
Of blessing in God’s name.
— Submitted September 3, 2021.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 22, 2021
3. Colerain Turnpike Watering Trough
Poem is on the weathered marble slab centered above the water trough. Click on image to zoom in to read it.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on May 30, 2023, by Robert Baughman of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 3, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the marker, when it is returned to its pole • or photos of the marker when it last stood here • Can you help?
