So, Like, Where’s Cooper’s Mill?

Welcome, fans of the Frank Harper Mysteries series. As you probably know, the book series takes place in the fictional town of Cooper’s Mill, Ohio. What you might not know is that Cooper’s Mill is based on Tipp City, Ohio, a real-life small town north of Dayton and the home of the author, Greg Enslen, and his family.

He also helped start the Downtown Tipp City Partnership, a local preservation organization. Here’s a great downtown tour they created as part of their preservation efforts—check it out if you’re coming to town. Greg’s also working on a Google Map of the book locations. All locations are in Tipp City unless otherwise noted.

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BLACK ICE

The second book in the Frank Harper series involves ice fishing and a murder.

  • Trapper’s Lake is a fictional lake located north of Cooper’s Mill, located somewhere between the Historic WACO Airfield (1865 S Co Rd 25A, Troy) and Burton’s Used Cars (2065 S Co Rd 25A)

  • The McDonalds is a real place (127 S Garber Dr, Tipp City, OH 45371

  • The car accident at the end takes place near the xxx building, located at xxx.

MORE TO COME!

A Field of Red

The first book in the Frank Harper series revolves around the title character and his first visit to the small town of Cooper’s Mill, Ohio. Many of the locations from the books are based on real-world locations in Tipp City. But remember, there’s a difference between fact and fiction! Here’s a map link.

  • Downtown Cooper’s Mill is based on downtown Tipp City, including many of the shops and restaurants.

  • Broadway Elementary is a real school (223 W Broadway St.)

  • Ricky’s Tavern is based on Tony’s, a bar located on the corner of Main and First. (134 E. Main). Frank’s first scene takes place here

  • Kyle Park is a real park (and very large) located south of downtown (S 1st St.)

  • The antique store on Main, Elise’s Antiques, is a completely fictional location. The Big Robot Game Cafe, a real-world video game store the author owned was located there but closed in 2010. The antique store is named for the author’s wife’s middle name. It is currently the home to Merchant 31 (114 E. Main)

  • Freeman’s Prairie is located east of town, and it’s a real place. And yes, they do burn it regularly to control the undergrowth. Here’s the history behind the name.

  • An important character lives in a home based on this location, the Burwell Building (111-113 E. Main), overlooking Main Street

  • The Holly Toy Warehouse, which is being converted to condos, is really the Dolly Toy Warehouse, located at xxx. Here’s some history about Tipp City’s Dolly Toy company.

MORE TO COME!

MORE TO COME!