Greenville in Hunt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Library Movement in Greenville
Photographed by Jesse Nelsen, January 2, 2021
1. Library Movement in Greenville Marker
In 1897, Greenville's Chautauqua Literary and Social Circle formed the Women's Review Club, which aimed to create a circulating library; each member donated books. The Review Club opened their library in 1900. By 1903, the popular library had to move to larger facilities. The club sought funds from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who offered $15,000 for a building. The local Federation of Women's Clubs, under leadership of may Moulton Harrison, provided the site, and the City formed a board of trustees for the public library, which opened in 1904. The library moved to new facilities in 1954 and again in 1996. Renamed for local historian W. Walworth Harrison, the son of May Harrison, the library continues to serve its community.
Erected 2003 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13167.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.
Location. 33° 7.327′ N, 96° 6.329′ W. Marker is in Greenville, Texas, in Hunt County.
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Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kavanaugh Methodist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Gen. Hal C. Horton Home (approx. 0.6 miles away); Grace Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Greenville (approx. 0.9 miles away); Wesley United Methodist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Mary Jim Morris (approx. 0.9 miles away); Transportation / Blackland Prairie (approx. one mile away);
Photographed by Jesse Nelsen, January 2, 2021
2. Library Movement in Greenville Marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, November 10, 2025
3. Library Movement in Greenville Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2021, by Jesse Nelsen of Farmersville, Texas. This page has been viewed 431 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 3, 2021, by Jesse Nelsen of Farmersville, Texas. 3. submitted on November 11, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
