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.