Cedartown in Polk County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hawkes Children's Library
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 5, 2022
1. Hawkes Children's Library Marker
placed on the
National Register
of
Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1921.
Location. 34° 0.79′ N, 85° 15.395′ W. Marker is in Cedartown, Georgia, in Polk County. Marker is at the intersection of South College Street and Grace Street, on the right when traveling north on South College Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 S College St, Cedartown GA 30125, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ivy Ledbetter Lee (within shouting distance of this marker); Polk County (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sterling Holloway (about 400 feet away); Polk County Confederate Monument (about 400 feet away); Parker and Lundy (about 500 feet away); Polk County Courthouses (about 500 feet away); Cedartown's City Plan (about 500 feet away); Founding of Cedartown (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedartown.
Regarding Hawkes Children's Library. Excerpt from the National Register nomination:
Architecturally, it is significantas a work of the noted Atlanta architectural firm of Hentz, Reid and Adler, of which the principal designer was J. Neel Reid (1885-1926) …
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The Hawkes Children's Library is significant in social-humanitarian history as part of the series of libraries built due to a bequest of Atlanta philanthropist, Albert King Hawkes. Hawkes (1848-1916) was a Massachusetts native who came to Atlanta in the 1880s and began an optical company which became nationally known. …
This library is significant in local history because it was the town's first free public library (that is, not tied to any existing organization). After the bequest was announced, the Cedartown Library Association was formed in early 1919. Land was donated later that spring and the architects and contractor selected. Local citizens raised $18,000 to add to the $7,500 bequest. The library formally opened September 30, 1921.
Also see . . .
1. Hawkes Children's Library (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination submitted for the building, which was listed in 1980. (National Archives) (Submitted on May 10, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Hawkes Children's Libraries. Wikipedia entry on the six Georgia libraries built by Hawkes' generosity, of which three still survive. (Submitted on May 10, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 5, 2022
2. Hawkes Children's Library Marker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 5, 2022
3. Hawkes Children's Library
The building now houses event space and a genealogical research library.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 10, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
