
Ohio is traditionally considered to have the best public library service among the states.
Note that the Dayton card (left) shows two Carnegie branch buildings plus its signature Romanesque main library.
Officially known as 'The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.'

High Italianate building, built in 1874: replaced in 1955. The fate of the original building is unknown.
Strangely textured (ribbed) paper stock on the postcard. It's the only 'Tom Jones' card I have. It was mailed in 1910. In case you're wondering, that's the 'New Misfit Clothing Company' nestled on one side, and the 'Volksblatt' building 2 doors down on the other.
The replacement 1955 building is incorporated into current main library. No postcard yet for it.
1925 main building. Although Cleveland received a lot of Carnegie funding, none seems to have been used in this main location. For a Cleveland Carnegie library, visit my Ohio Carnegie Library page.
The Louis Stokes wing was built in 1995, and the rest of the facility has been restored.
To the right is a Cleveland Library overdue notice, mailed in 1950. It begs
the question, 'Why would someone hang on to a library notice for over 50 years?'
The unspoken one is 'Why would anyone buy it?'
![]() |
![]() |
![]() Public Library, and McKinley Monument |
The above was replaced by the Dayton-Montgomery County Library.
Did you know that President Rutherford B. Hayes' uncle gave the money
to build the Birchard Library? And did you know that Hayes served on the
library board at the same time he was president? Strangely, the monument in front
says something about Fort Stephenson.
No-one respects poor Rutherford.
Is the building Beaux-Arts, or not? (Probably not, given the red brick.)
The linen finish card is a product of E.C. Kropp of Milwaukee.
Still in use. Now part of Medina County District Library System.

Built in 1899. Additions in 1937 and 1978. Replaced in 2004.
Its current use is unknown.
Tres Gothic.
Could any other two postcards of the same building look less alike?
Dedicated in 1901: monies from the estate of John Sanford Brumback.
Gothic/Romanesque architecture, and also according to the library's site, a Ludowici tile roof. Still in use, but renovated twice.

Attractive dark brick building featuring large windows containing diamond panes.
Donation by Myron T. Herrick in 1902. Renovated in 1929, after another Herrick bequest, and in 1986. Still in use.
© 2008 Judy Aulik
Uploaded 09 February 2008.
Updated 24 May 2008.