Norcross in Gwinnett County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Site of Norcross Public Library
1921
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, December 18, 2022
1. Site of Norcross Public Library Marker
Inscription.
Site of Norcross Public Library. In February 1907, the Norcross Woman's Club took on the challenge of forming a public library. The Norcross library, Gwinnett County's first, opened on July 1, 1907 In a small room in the public schoolhouse. The library's primary benefactor was Mr. Edward F. Buchanan, who had been orphaned as a child, raised by foster parents in Norcross, and made his fortune on Wall Street. In September 1907, he donated $2500 to the library fund. However, it would be fourteen years before the library found a long-term home, as Mr. Buchanan lost his fortune and asked the Woman's Club to loan his donated $2,500 to his foster mother. The Woman's Club complied with his request. In 1918, the Norcross Women's Club received full payment on the loan with interest, and purchased this lot in 1919 for the library site. The cornerstone was laid on June 18, 1921. The library opened in September 1921 with 2,500 books and with Miss Lola Key as librarian - a role she held, for nineteen years. Except for a time during World War II when the American Red Cross used it, this building housed Norcross' public library until July 1971, when the library was moved to a larger facility on Carlyle Street to better serve the needs of the growing community.
In February 1907, the Norcross Woman's Club took on the challenge of forming a public library. The Norcross library, Gwinnett County's first, opened on July 1, 1907 In a small room in the public schoolhouse. The library's primary benefactor was Mr. Edward F. Buchanan, who had been orphaned as a child, raised by foster parents in Norcross, and made his fortune on Wall Street. In September 1907, he donated $2500 to the library fund. However, it would be fourteen years before the library found a long-term home, as Mr. Buchanan lost his fortune and asked the Woman's Club to loan his donated $2,500 to his foster mother. The Woman's Club complied with his request. In 1918, the Norcross Women's Club received full payment on the loan with interest, and purchased this lot in 1919 for the library site. The cornerstone was laid on June 18, 1921. The library opened in September 1921 with 2,500 books and with Miss Lola Key as librarian - a role she held, for nineteen years. Except for a time during World War II when the American Red Cross used it, this building housed Norcross' public library until July 1971, when the library was moved to a larger facility on Carlyle Street to better serve the needs of the growing community.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location.
Click or scan to see this page online
33° 56.639′ N, 84° 12.845′ W. Marker is in Norcross, Georgia, in Gwinnett County. Marker is at the intersection of North Peachtree Street and Buchanan Street, on the left when traveling north on North Peachtree Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 65 N Peachtree St, Norcross GA 30071, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, December 18, 2022
2. Site of Norcross Public Library Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 110 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
