Xenia Carnegie Library - Xenia, Ohio

 Xenia Carnegie Library, Xenia, Ohio. The library movement in Xenia truly began when eight women who were graduates of Xenia College formed the Tuesday Club on August 20, 1878. The intentions of the club were for members to prepare literary papers and discuss literature, activities that would require access to a library. By 1902, the Young Women’s Library Association had learned about Carnegie’s library building program and decided to apply for a grant. Louisa Lackey and Diana Roberts donated a 200 x 165 foot lot, part of their estate, for the site of the library building. That same year, James Bertram, private secretary to Andrew Carnegie, in a handwritten note, granted the organization $20,000 for a library building. The architect William Kauffman, the nephew of Louisa Lackey and Diana Roberts donated his services in the design of the library. The foundation work on the library began in the fall of 1903, with construction continuing through the following spring. On July 22, 1904, the cornerstone of the library was laid. Construction of the building was completed in 1904, and in June 1905, the ladies requested and were granted an additional $3,500 for library furnishings. The Xenia Carnegie Library’s official public opening occurred on June 26, 1906. The Carnegie building was closed to the public in 1978, when the newer, larger facility opened. There are now plans in turning the old library into a restaurant. The Xenia Carnegie Library is one of 104 Carnegie libraries that were built in Ohio. Architectural Style-Classical Revival. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on February 25, 2015. GPS: 39.68781°N, -83.92639°W.

Whitelaw Reid House - Cedarville, Ohio

 

The Whitelaw Reid House is a historic residence near the village of Cedarville, Ohio. The house was originally built in 1823 as a simple farmhouse by Reid's father, in original forest, and the oak and black walnut and poplar woodwork came from the site. During his life, Reid greatly modified the house, and as a result it is a fine example of changing tastes in architectural styles from his father's to his own. Due to the house's location on a small country road, southwest of Cedarville, the house and surrounding farm appear to be little changed from their appearance in the late nineteenth century. 

   The house was the birth place and home to an American journalist, Whitelaw Reid (1837-1912). He was an American politician and newspaper editor, as well as the author of Ohio in the War, a popular work of history. After assisting Horace Greeley as editor of the New-York Tribune, Reid purchased the paper after Greeley's death in late 1872 and controlled it until his own death. The circulation grew to about 60,000 a day. As a famous voice of the Republican Party, he was honored with appointments as ambassador to France and Great Britain, as well as numerous other honorific positions. Reid was the party's nominee for Vice President of the United States in the 1892 election. In 1898, President William McKinley appointed him to the American commission that negotiated peace with Spain after the Spanish–American War.
   Since 1974, the Reid House is the home of Mike DeWine, who is currently the Ohio Governor, as well as a former Ohio Attorney General and former US Senator.

 Architectural Style-Queen Anne. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on May 7, 1973. GPS: 39.75170°N, -83.83602°W.

Auglaize County Courthouse - Wapakoneta, Ohio

Auglaize County Courthouse in May 1973

 The Auglaize County Courthouse is located in Wapakoneta, Ohio. The courthouse was constructed from 1893 to 1894 by the architectural firm Kremer & Hart and the contractor was E.M. Campfield of Findlay, Ohio. The cost of the building was $184,526; the entire cost of the building including all items, ranging from architects fees to furnishings was $259,481.21. Architectural Style-Italianate Style. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on May 7, 1973. GPS: 40.56854°N, -84.19442°W.

Dr. Isaac Elmer William's House and Office - St. Marys, Ohio

 

Dr. Isaac Elmer William's House in 1978

The Dr. Issac Elmer Williams House and Office are a pair of buildings in St. Marys, Ohio. Dr. William was born in 1866 and grew up in the nearby region in the village of Buckland. Immediately after graduating from the Kentucky School of Medicine at the University of Louisville in 1892, Williams began to practice medicine in St. Marys; he remained there until retirement in 1942. He built his house and office on the city's western side in 1903. After his office and house were built he continued to serve the people in the area until his retirement in 1942 after 50 years of service. Williams passed away in 1954. Virtually, through the past 120 years, no changes have been made either to the house or to the office — inside or out — they are excellent examples of early twentieth-century Queen Anne architecture. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on May 8, 1979. GPS: 40.54551°N, -84.39265°W.