Marshall in Harrison County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Library Movement in Marshall
Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, September 12, 2023
1. The Library Movement in Marshall Marker
Inscription.
The Library Movement in Marshall. . Twenty-five Marshall ladies formed the Ingleside Circulating Book Club in 1887, each member buying a book and making exchanges. When that club and four others organized a federation in 1899, their first civic goal was a city library. Use of a feed store loft was donated by the federation president and her husband. The library opened in 1900 with 174 books and with hay-bales for chairs. After a charter was obtained Oct. 24, 1902, the library moved to the City Hall, where it operated until a 1923 fire. At the City Hall, $1-a-year reading tickets gave admission to the public. These tickets plus funds raised by the clubwomen provided 69 years of city library services without the use of public tax revenues. , This graceful Georgian structure was built after the clubs worked on funding for over 20 years and after the City Hall fire. Erected in 1926 at cost of $34,046.93, it was ideal in its appointments at that time, but was later outgrown. Finally the city was persuaded to support a municipal library, and on Oct. 28, 1971, the clubwomen handed over the keys to their building, books, and furniture. On completion of a new, larger city library facility in 1973, this building came to house other civic endeavors.
Twenty-five Marshall ladies formed the Ingleside Circulating Book Club in 1887, each member buying a book and making exchanges. When that club and four others organized a federation in 1899, their first civic goal was a city library. Use of a feed store loft was donated by the federation president and her husband. The library opened in 1900 with 174 books and with hay-bales for chairs. After a charter was obtained Oct. 24, 1902, the library moved to the City Hall, where it operated until a 1923 fire. At the City Hall, $1-a-year reading tickets gave admission to the public. These tickets plus funds raised by the clubwomen provided 69 years of city library services without the use of public tax revenues.
This graceful Georgian structure was built after the clubs worked on funding for over 20 years and after the City Hall fire. Erected in 1926 at cost of $34,046.93, it was ideal in its appointments at that time, but was later outgrown. Finally the city was persuaded to support a municipal library, and on Oct. 28, 1971, the clubwomen handed over the keys to their building, books, and furniture. On completion of a new, larger city library facility in 1973, this building came to house other civic endeavors.
Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10185.)
Location. 32° 32.757′ N, 94° 22.141′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Texas, in Harrison County. Marker is at the intersection of West Austin Street and North Franklin Street, on the right when traveling west on West Austin Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 213 W Austin Street, Marshall TX 75670, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, September 12, 2023
2. The Library Movement in Marshall Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 44 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 15, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
