National Register of Historic Places

Kenton Public Library

Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio
Listed
December 29, 1983
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
83004311

About this property

The Kenton Public Library is a historic building in downtown Kenton, Ohio, United States. One of 109 Carnegie libraries in Ohio, it was designed in 1905 by the architectural firm of Richards, McCarty and Bulford; Carnegie donated $20,000 to aid in its construction. An attempt to start a library in Kenton began in 1853, but over thirty years passed before one was actually begun. From 1886 to the opening of the Carnegie library, the library was housed in a business block on the city's central square. The library building is a one-and-one-half-story brick structure. An elevated foundation supports the rectangular structure, which is accessed from the street by a staircase. With the opening of the library to all Hardin County residents in 1936 and the expansion of the city in general, the old facility had become too small for its patrons by the 1960s. After successful fundraising efforts and negotiations with the city school board, the old high school (previously superseded by the present high school building) was purchased and demolished, and the new library opened at the site. Today, the Carnegie library is occupied by a dentistry practice, Kenton Dental Care, and local residents are served by the Mary Lou Johnson Library. In 1983, the Kenton Public Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its place as an example of library building in Ohio, its connection to Andrew Carnegie, and its well-preserved architecture.

Location

121 N. Detroit St.
Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio
40.64854, -83.60952

Categories

EDUCATIONARCHITECTURESOCIAL HISTORY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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Nearby Historic Sites

Kenton Courthouse Square Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Hardin County Courthouse
Industrial
0.1 mi
North Main-North Detroit Street Historic District
Listed
0.4 mi
Mount Victory Historic District
Modern
9.2 mi
Ada Pennsylvania Station and Railroad Park
Industrial
14 mi

Questions about this property

When was Kenton Public Library listed on the National Register?

Kenton Public Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 29, 1983.

What type of historic resource is Kenton Public Library?

Kenton Public Library is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Kenton Public Library?

The period of significance for Kenton Public Library is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Kenton Public Library?

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