Bryan in Brazos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Carnegie Public Library
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2014
1. Carnegie Public Library Marker
Center of cultural and civic activities in Bryan since 1903. Established through inspiration of the mutual improvement club (renamed the Woman's Club, 1909), under the leadership of Mmes. Lucy Miley Brandon and Rose Fountain Howell who with modest means set the library goal in 1899. An appeal to the industrial magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie secured a grant of $10,000 contingent upon the city's giving a site and pledging maintenance funds. In addition, private persons also gave funds and books.
Auditorium was site of many gatherings, foremost being the 1919 to 1933 reunions of Hood's Texas Brigade Association.
In 1944, the library board president, Mrs. Lee W. Rountree, established the Children's Educational Foundation with result that the Rountree Room was opened on converted second floor in 1953.
Erected 1969 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13339.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 30° 40.38′ N, 96° 22.399′ W. Marker is in Bryan, Texas, in Brazos County. Marker is on South Main Street north of West 27th Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hood's Texas Brigade (here, next to this marker); La Salle Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Queen Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); The CW&BV and I&GN Railroads in Bryan (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church (about 600 feet away); Brazos County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harvey Mitchell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Courthouse Cedar (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bryan.
Also see . . .
1. Carnegie History Center. Library website homepage:
Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie firmly believed in self-education for everyone and that libraries helped those who helped themselves. He would provide funds for the construction of libraries if a city would provided the site and maintenance funds. Bryan, Texas was among the early cities that took advantage of his offer. In 1902, Bryan was fortunate enough to have among its citizens several intrepid ladies who found their city to be, to say the least, uncivilized. The streets were unpaved, there were more than a dozen saloons, everybody carried a gun, and hangings on the courthouse lawn were frequent.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2014
2. Carnegie Public Library (marker visible left of entrance)
2. Carnegie Public Library in Bryan.
The Carnegie Public Library in Bryan, the oldest existing Carnegie Library in Texas. A Carnegie library is one built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (Submitted on December 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Hood's Texas Brigade. Texas State Historical Association website entry:
The Texas Brigade was organized on October 22, 1861, in Richmond, Virginia. It was initially commanded by Brig. Gen. Louis T. Wigfall and composed of the First, Fourth, and Fifth Texas Infantry regiments, the only Texas troops to fight in the Eastern Theater.
The Hood's Brigade Association was organized on May 14, 1872. Sixty-three reunions were held between that date and 1933, when the last two physically able veterans, E. W. B. Leach and Sam O. Moodie, both ninety-one, met for the last time in Houston. (Submitted on December 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2014
3. Carnegie Public Library: 1902 Cornerstone
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2014
4. Carnegie Public Library: Hood's Brigade Plaque
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2014
5. Carnegie Public Library: 1999 Restoration Plaque
Restored as
The Carnegie Center of Brazos Valley History
Spring of 1999
The oldest Carnegie Library still standing in Texas
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 484 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on July 3, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on December 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
