Alexandria in Rapides Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Rapides Parish Library
Main Building, 1965
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2025
1. Rapides Parish Library Marker
This building is recognized as an outstanding example of the Mid-Century Modern New Formalism style. Buildings designed in this style exhibit many classical elements including strict symmetrical elevations, building proportion and scale, angular columns, and highly stylized entablatures and colonnades. The style was used primarily for high-profile cultural, institutional and civic buildings and stands as a reminder of the post-World War II era of great advancements in interpretive architecture.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1965.
Location. 31° 18.575′ N, 92° 26.654′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Louisiana, in Rapides Parish. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and 4th Street, on the left when traveling south on Washington Street. The marker is mounted at eye-level, near the northeast corner of the subject building, facing Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 411 Washington Street, Alexandria LA 71301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Louisiana and in Acadiana Cajun Country. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8
this page online
Regarding Rapides Parish Library. National Register of Historic Places № 15001005.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Paul Smith, 8/30/2015:
Constructed in 1964-1965 and formally opened on June 20, 1965, the Rapides Parish Library is a one-story-on-slab structure featuring pre-cast concrete wall panels and cast-in-place concrete roof designed by Eugene Thomas Glankler in the New Formalism style. The library and its associated parking lot occupy the entire block bounded by Washington, 4th, Lee, and 5th streets and is generally situated only two blocks from the center of Alexandrias downtown.
During the development of the first half of the twentieth century, as a sign of its developing stature, a number of multi-story buildings created a vertical skyline in the immediate central business district.In contrast to this vertical development, the Rapides Parish Library struck a definite horizontal pose with its finished floor close to grade and its elongated side elevations of repeated slender arched openings. The integrity of the structure is very high with very minimal alteration to the exterior or the interior.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 20252. Rapides Parish Library MarkerThe marker is mounted at eye-level, near the northeast [left] corner of building. The main library entrance is in the background.
The Rapides Parish Library is architecturally significant because it embodies the distinctive characteristics of the New Formalism style. It reads as a virtual textbook example of the style and includes such elements as a classical form in a new inverted manner and is constructed using cast in place concrete. Additional features such as the precast concrete columns and aggregate wall panels, mimicking marble and stone help to create elongated classical colonnades giving the building a form and monumental feel.
Also see . . . The Main Library of the Rapides Parish Library System.
Excerpt: The Main Library of the Rapides Parish Library System began serving the greater Alexandria/ Pineville community in 1942 from the fourth floor of the Rapides Parish Courthouse. To accommodate the librarys growing clientele, Librarian Marion Taylor and Board Chairman Frank O. Hunter oversaw construction in 1965 of a new home for the Main Library at its current location(Submitted on October 16, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)at 411 Washington Street. Today, the Main Library continues its tradition of service to the children, teens and adults of the community through a vast collection of materials including books, periodicals, video cassettes, audio cassettes, DVDs and CDs.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 20253. Rapides Parish Library
(northwest/Washington Street elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2025
4. Rapides Parish Library (southwest/5th Street elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2025
5. Rapides Parish Library (northeast elevation)
From the National Register Nomination: At the center of the front elevation is a projecting entrance lobby. This space incorporates the center 24 of the faηade. Double full-glass aluminum framed doors on either side of this extension provide entry and exit.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 16, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
