Hamilton in Butler County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William Dean Howells

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009

1. William Dean Howells Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Author William Dean Howells (1837-1920) spent his boyhood from 1840 to 1848 in Hamilton. Called the "Dean of American Letters," Howells wrote 35 novels, 35 plays, 34 miscellaneous books, 6 books of literary criticism, 4 books of poetry, and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. He shaped the destiny of fellow writers by editing their works for Atlantic Monthly and Harper's. His autobiography entitled A Boy's Town fondly recalls growing up in Hamilton. Throughout life, he broke in new pens by writing, "W. D. Howells, Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio."

Erected 2002 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Hamilton Community Foundation, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 12-9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 39° 24.018′ N, 84° 33.899′ W. Marker is

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in Hamilton, Ohio, in Butler County. Marker is on Monument Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in the park south of the Soldiers, Sailors & Pioneers Memorial and across Monument Avenue from the former Hotel Anthony Wayne. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 S Monument Avenue, Hamilton OH 45011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Log Building (here, next to this marker); Grand Army of the Republic Memorial (here, next to this marker); Fort Hamilton (here, next to this marker); A Pioneer Family (a few steps from this marker); The Old Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldiers, Sailors, and Pioneers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Flood Level (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Howells was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009

2. William Dean Howells Marker

Soldiers, Sailors & Pioneers Memorial in right background.

Hamilton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009

3. Hamilton Marker

Immortalized by
William Dean Howells
in his book
"A Boy's Town"
Presented by
The American History Club
Hamilton High School

Hamilton William Dean Howells Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2009

4. Hamilton William Dean Howells Marker

At Monument Avenue and the east approach to the High Street Bridge over the Great Miami River, about 150 NNE of the William Dean Howells OHS marker.

Photographed By Craig Doda, June 3, 2022

5. William Dean Howells Marker

This sits right next to the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,690 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on May 14, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on January 18, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.