Over the years, Middletown has grown from a simple
village of 50 people to a city of over 50,000. Located
along the Great Miami River, Middletown developed
from a farming community into an industrial city located
on I-75, a major national highway.
The Miami-Erie Canal helped speed Middletown's
progress and provided a link between northern and
southern Ohio. The canal allowed for further industrial
growth with such businesses as grist and saw mills, porkpacking
plants, and paper and tobacco plants. Today,
Middletown is a steel-producing community with many
other important industries. The construction of railroads
and new roads and highways also played an important
role in Middletown's growth.
This work recalls many of the people that brought
this success and development to Middletown. The everimproving
cameras and the rise of the art of photography
allowed much of this town's history to be captured on
film. Many of these images, taken by both professionals
and amateurs, are recorded in Middletown, Ohio. Join Mr.
Miller and Mr. Crout in celebrating a community rich in
history and heritage.