Though not incorporated as a city until 1857, Hamilton can trace its roots back to the founding of Fort Hamilton by Gen. Arthur St. Clair in 1791.Throughout its history, Hamilton has been "The Greatest Little City of its Kind in the World," "The Postmark of Distinctive Trademarks," and "Known in the World's Markets." In the time between the close of the Civil War and the beginning of World War II, the city thrived. Led by steadfast pioneers and industrious immigrants, Hamilton developed into a community where anything seemed possible along the banks of the Great Miami River. The images herein detail Hamilton from 1900 to the 1950s. From a bustling county seat and the hub of Midwestern industry to leisurely endeavors, from distinctive neighborhoods to the people who lived in them, and from local education to individual worship, the life of the city is captured by over 200 postcards of the day, most from the author's private collection.

Brian Smith is an English teacher at Ross High School in Butler County and an avid collector of local vintage postcards. He is currently on the board of the Butler County Historical Society. This is his first published work.