Milan, Ohio
Milan, Ohio
About Milan, Ohio Today
As more Connecticut Western towns industrialize or dissolve into suburbs, Milan still gives us the classic Reserve village...green with miles of soybeans, corn, peach orchards and melons...beautiful central commons...massive Civil War monument...Carnegie Library...powerful continuing citizen awareness of heritage...historical murals and displays going beyond its dominant museum complex...into its restaurants and stores. Its streets and parks still name its heroes -- Judson, Merry, Edison, Fries Landing, Galpin, Lockwood. Although enclaved by super highways, it is still nobody's suburb. It is invaded en masse only once a year. At harvest time cars are lined up into Milan like the wheat wagons of the 1840s as people come to Milan's Melon Festival.
1820 Map of Milan, Ohio
Thomas Edison Birthplace
The Birthplace Of A Genius
Thomas Alva Edison was born Feb. 11, 1847 in a small house (see picture above) overlooking the Milan Canal. Labeled a slow learner, young Tom was home-schooled by his mother. His inquisitive nature caused him trouble early in life, and Tom was often in mischief. The local telegraph operator hot-wired the village's telegraph to control young Tom's tampering. It backfired! The shock only fueled his questions about how the machine worked.
The Big Milan Trek
(Six-horse teams best for fording the rivers.)
Milan Public Library
The Drug Store Library
In 1846 Dr. Morgan Stuart started a library in the corner of his drug store. When he died, the library was continued by the two succeeding owners. Then F. H. Weaver, the jeweler, moved the library into his store. By 1850 it was in the law office of E. Andrews on the north side of the square. In the fire of 1850, all the books burned. Dr. Gordon formed a library association to resume the library which in 1891 moved its 400 books into the town hall and went on the tax roll for a tenth-mill. Ultimately, a Carnegie Library Grant came to town to hilp the citizens build a free-standing library (see picture above). Today it is a very active cultural center in town.
Milan Town Hall
The Milan Inn
(Built in 1845 during the peak of the Milan
grain boom, is still in business today.)
Milan Historical Museum
Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Edna Roe Newton Museum
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Milan, Ohio |
About Milan, Ohio Today |
As more Connecticut Western towns industrialize or dissolve into suburbs, Milan still gives us the classic Reserve village...green with miles of soybeans, corn, peach orchards and melons...beautiful central commons...massive Civil War monument...Carnegie Library...powerful continuing citizen awareness of heritage...historical murals and displays going beyond its dominant museum complex...into its restaurants and stores. Its streets and parks still name its heroes -- Judson, Merry, Edison, Fries Landing, Galpin, Lockwood. Although enclaved by super highways, it is still nobody's suburb. It is invaded en masse only once a year. At harvest time cars are lined up into Milan like the wheat wagons of the 1840s as people come to Milan's Melon Festival. |
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1820 Map of Milan, Ohio |
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Thomas Edison Birthplace |
The Birthplace Of A Genius |
Thomas Alva Edison was born Feb. 11, 1847 in a small house (see picture above) overlooking the Milan Canal. Labeled a slow learner, young Tom was home-schooled by his mother. His inquisitive nature caused him trouble early in life, and Tom was often in mischief. The local telegraph operator hot-wired the village's telegraph to control young Tom's tampering. It backfired! The shock only fueled his questions about how the machine worked. |
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The Big Milan Trek |
|
Milan Public Library |
The Drug Store Library |
In 1846 Dr. Morgan Stuart started a library in the corner of his drug store. When he died, the library was continued by the two succeeding owners. Then F. H. Weaver, the jeweler, moved the library into his store. By 1850 it was in the law office of E. Andrews on the north side of the square. In the fire of 1850, all the books burned. Dr. Gordon formed a library association to resume the library which in 1891 moved its 400 books into the town hall and went on the tax roll for a tenth-mill. Ultimately, a Carnegie Library Grant came to town to hilp the citizens build a free-standing library (see picture above). Today it is a very active cultural center in town. |
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Milan Town Hall |
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The Milan Inn |
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Milan Historical Museum |
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Soldiers and Sailors Monument |
|
Edna Roe Newton Museum |
