Imlay City in Lapeer County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Imlay Township Hall Library - 1951
212 East Third Street
— Imlay City History —
At a meeting in October of 1921, the Women's Study Club began discussing the idea of a public library in Imlay City. They began to raise money by putting on three plays in the town's opera house. The first library opened in January of 1923 at the town hall on the corner of Fourth and Almont Avenue with 450 books.
In 1927, a 1/8 mill tax was passed and the library became a part of Imlay Township. After ten years the library was moved out of the town hall and into Dr. Braidwood's office at the corner of Almont Avenue and Fifth Street. It stayed at this location for two years and then moved to a building behind the Lapeer County Bank building on Bancroft Street. It resided there for 16 years until 1951 when a new building was built to include the library and the township office. The building was constructed by Frank Wiegersma. The library resided there for the next 39 years.
In 1989 a new library was built from a generous trust left by Ruth Hughes, a native of Imlay City. The dedication of that building was held in January of 1990, naming it the Ruth Hughes Memorial Library. Library business continues today on that original site at the corner of Fourth and Almont Avenue.
In 1998 the building was sold to the Harry F. Hovey American Legion Post 135 for use as their headquarters.
Erected by Imlay City Downtown Development Authority.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1923.
Location. 43° 1.449′ N, 83° 4.529′ W. Marker is in Imlay City, Michigan, in Lapeer County. Marker is at the intersection of East 3rd Street and Bancroft Street, on the right when traveling east on East 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 East 3rd Street, Imlay City MI 48444, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Yerex Building - 1882 (within shouting distance of this marker); Imlay City Mural — Charles Palmer (within shouting distance of this marker); Rosie the Riveter Memorial Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grand Trunk Railroad Depot / Imlay City (about 300 feet away); Grand Trunk Depot - 1927 (about 300 feet away); Ornamental Iron Gate (about 400 feet away); Imlay City Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grettenberger Field (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Imlay City.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.