Pineville in Rapides Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Richard W. Norton Memorial Library

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2025

1. Richard W. Norton Memorial Library Marker

Inscription.
Mrs. Richard W. Norton Jr. and Mrs. Nellie Norton Smitherman, both from Shreveport, gifted funds for the construction of the first free-standing library on campus. The Louisiana Baptist Convention and churches provided additional support. Complete with air-conditioning and capacity for over 300,000 volumes, the doors opened for student use in 1955. The library is named as a memorial for the Norton's relative, Reverend Richard W. Norton, who was a Baptist minister that preached in Virginia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas. The noted architect, J. Cheshire Peyton of Shreveport, designed the building. Tudor Construction Company of Alexandria built the structure of red brick trimmed with Indiana limestone. The famed Remington-Rand Company provided the original Shelving and other furnishings.

“I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens.”
Ecclesiastes 1:13

Erected by Louisiana Christian University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.

Location. 31° 19.537′ N,

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92° 25.664′ W. Marker is in Pineville, Louisiana, in Rapides Parish. It is on Allen Drive just south of College Drive, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the Louisiana Christian University campus, near the northeast corner of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1140 College Drive, Pineville LA 71360, 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 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Governor Jimmie Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor and Memory of Louisiana College Students

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2025

2. Richard W. Norton Memorial Library Marker

Looking southwest from Allen Drive; the marker is near the northeast corner of the subject building.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Louisiana College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alexandria Hall (about 300 feet away); G. Earl Guinn (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Alexandria Hall (about 300 feet away); Martin Performance Arts Center (MPAC) (about 400 feet away); Hixson Student Center (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pineville.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Louisiana Christian University

Also see . . . Richard W. Norton Memorial Library (university website). (Submitted on October 17, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Richard W. Norton Memorial Library (<i>east/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2025

3. Richard W. Norton Memorial Library (east/front elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 17, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.