Milford in Clermont County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Founding Of Milford Public Library
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"Milford Mystery Library"
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 7, 2025
1. Founding Of Milford Public Library side of marker
Founding Of Milford Public Library. The Milford Public Library, Clermont County's oldest continuously operating library, was founded in 1900 by a local civic organization, the Milford Village Improvement Society. It was preceded by a circulating library-one that charges patrons for renting books-that was chartered in 1822. At the time of the Milford Public Library's founding, circulating libraries were in decline and public libraries were increasing in number as an inexpensive alternative. To obtain support for their proposed "reading room," the Society's Literary Committee traveled door-to-door, soliciting members and books. To become a member of the library, adults paid 25 cents and children paid 10 cents in annual dues. The library's first-and current-home is the stone building at 19 Water Street.
"Milford Mystery Library". In its early years, the library struggled financially and was forced to relocate to a rent-free space in the town hall. In 1919, Dr. Richard C. Belt purchased the building at 19 Water Street, and, once space became available, the library returned to its original home. Upon Belt's passing in 1930, he left the building in trust to the Milford Public Library under the condition that it continue to use the building as a library, otherwise it would be donated to a local Episcopal church.
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Erected 2019 by Milford Public Library; The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 12-13.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 39° 10.353′ N, 84° 17.845′ W. Marker is in Milford, Ohio, in Clermont County. It is at the intersection of Water Street and Mill Street, on the right when traveling south on Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19 Water St, Milford OH 45150, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cincinnati. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Milford Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Milford (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Covalt Station (approx. half a mile away); Promont (approx. one mile away); Henry Clark Corbin (approx. 1.1 miles away); Milford GAR Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 7, 2025
2. "Milford Mystery Library" side of marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 7, 2025
3. Founding Of Milford Public Library / "Milford Mystery Library" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 9, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
