Calvert in Robertson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Katy Hamman Stricker Library
Photographed By James Hulse, March 3, 2021
1. Katy Hamman Stricker Library Marker
In 1868, Robert Calvert and other local farmers urged the Houston & Texas Central Railroad to build through the area. The city of Calvert became an agricultural trade center and attracted new residents from other area settlements. After the turn of the 20th century, Women's Clubs became a popular aspect of community life throughout the country. In 1907, Missouri-based businessman Edward G. Lewis founded the American Woman's League (AWL), an organization tied to selling league materials and magazines. Calvert women organized a chapter in 1908 and qualified for a chapter house built and furnished by the AWL. In May 1909, Ella Hamman donated this lot to the AWL, which built a Class I chapter house for the Calvert group.
Lewis hired Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson, a St. Louis firm, to design five classes of league chapter houses. The architects chose the Prairie style for their plans. Details of the Calvert chapter house include a low gabled roof and integrated planter boxes. For the interior, designed to resemble a home, Lewis commissioned George Julian Zolnay for a Bas Relief sculpture entitled "Woman's Mission."
Lewis' AWL group did not last, but local Women reorganized as the Calvert Woman's Club in the late 1930s and operated a community library from the chapter house, which continued to be used for local
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Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2003
Erected 2003 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13024.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1909.
Location. 30° 58.878′ N, 96° 40.325′ W. Marker is in Calvert, Texas, in Robertson County. Marker is at the intersection of East Mitchell Street and Elm Street, on the right when traveling east on East Mitchell Street. The marker is located near the front of the library by the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 404 East Mitchell Street, Calvert TX 77837, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sneed Memorial Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); First Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church (about 400 feet away); Former Calvert Courthouse (about 500 feet away); "The Calvert Bell" (approx. 0.2
Photographed By James Hulse, March 3, 2021
2. Katy Hamman Stricker Library and Marker
Also see . . . Katy Hamman-Stricker Library.
The Katy Hamman-Stricker Library is located at 404 E. Mitchell Street in Calvert, Texas, USA. It consists of a museum as well as a public library and community center and was the first chapter house built by the American Woman's League in the state. Calvert is located within the Golden Triangle (the area between the cities of Dallas, Houston and Austin) of Texas. The building was constructed in 1909 but its role changed thirty years later when it became the town library. Source: Wikipedia(Submitted on March 11, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, March 3, 2021
3. The view of the Katy Hamman Stricker Library from the Street
Photographed By James Hulse, March 3, 2021
4. The Katy Hamman Stricker Library
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 164 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 10, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
