About the West End Branch

About the

West End Branch

About the

West End Branch

The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library officially began service to the West End community in 1908. This neighborhood, like no other in the city, has gone through drastic changes over the years. Several library locations have existed over time in this section of the city. A converted 19th century mansion at 924 Dayton Street was the first in the area and the first non-Carnegie branch library in Hamilton County. This location served the community until 1960 and was known as the Dayton Street Public Library.

The ninth and final library to be built with Andrew Carnegie funds in Cincinnati was the West End Branch at W. 8th St. and State Ave. This location technically located in Lower Price Hill was a handsome Beau-arts style building that existed from 1915-1947. The Stowe Branch at W. 7th and Cutter Streets was located in the Harriet Beecher Stowe School for Colored Children and opened in 1923 along with the School. Mrs. Hattie Walker was the first African American Head Librarian at the Branch and was there until her retirement in 1948 after 27 years of service. This library closed in 1961 when the school was shut down due to declining enrollment. The West End neighborhood was being leveled at this time for the Mill Creek Expressway (I-75) and other Urban Renewal projects. Thousands of people were being displaced. A small Library station within the Laurel Homes Housing Project also existed for a period of time.

Shortly after the Dayton Street location closed, along with the Stowe School and Library, a one-story mid-century brick and concrete building, designed by the architectural firm of Glaser and Meyer opened as the new Lincoln Park Branch in 1961. This location at 805 Ezzard Charles Dr. continues as the West End Branch Library today. The original name of the Library reflected the street name at the time, Lincoln Park Dr. In 2002 the Lincoln Park Branch was renamed in honor of the neighborhood. This branch would close for a period of time in 2023 for extensive renovations in order to reimagine the space and improve services for the community it so proudly serves.

View historic photos of this branch library on the CHPL Digital Library.

 

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