Kenton Public Library
Encyclopedia
The Kenton Public Library is a historic building in downtown Kenton
, Ohio
, United States
. One of 109 Carnegie libraries
in Ohio, it was built in 1905; 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 After successful fundraising efforts and negotiations with the city school board, the old high school (previously superseded by the present high school building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.
Kenton, Ohio
Kenton is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Ohio, United States, along the Scioto River. The population was 8,262 at the 2010 census. It is named for Kentucky/Ohio frontiersman, Simon Kenton...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. One of 109 Carnegie libraries
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
in Ohio, it was built in 1905; Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
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
Storey
A storey or story is any level part of a building that could be used by people...
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
Hardin County, Ohio
Hardin County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 32,058. Its county seat is Kenton and is named for John Hardin, an officer in the American Revolution.-Geography:According to the U.S...
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
Kenton High School (Kenton, Ohio)
Kenton High School is a public high school in Kenton, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Kenton City Schools district. Their nickname is the Wildcats. They are members of the Western Buckeye League.-OHSAA State Champions:* Football – 2001, 2002...
) was purchased and demolished, and the new library opened at the site. Today, the Carnegie library is occupied by a dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
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
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
for its place as an example of library building in Ohio, its connection to Andrew Carnegie, and its well-preserved architecture.