Mission in Hidalgo County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Speer Memorial Library
Photographed by Dave W, January 24, 2026
1. Speer Memorial Library Marker
Mission women formed the Tuesday Club in 1910 and four years later organized the Civic League of Mission to care for a city park and start a library. The library occupied a shelf in an empty store and moved between temporary sites. The Mission City Council passed an ordinance to establish a library in 1929. The public and school libraries merged from 1935-47 before the city had its first permanent location on 11th Street in 1948. In 1974, Juanita Speer Farley and her husband, Hal, donated a new site to honor her parents, early settlers George and Lyda Speer, and the library was renamed in their memory. Support of the Junior Service League and Friends of the Library have made the library a key public service for more than a century.
Erected 2014 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17898.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 26° 13.014′ N, 98° 19.029′ W. Marker is in Mission, Texas, in Hidalgo County. It is at the intersection of East 12th Street and East Kika De La Garza Street, on the right when traveling north on East 12th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 E 12th St, Mission TX 78572, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas. It is also in the American 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 Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oblate Park (approx. Ό mile away);
this page online
Also see . . . Additional historical information about the library.
The Mission Public Library is one of the oldest libraries in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. It was organized by a group of educated, ambitious women who had come as settlers to this new country with their families.(Submitted on January 25, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)
Photographed by Dave W, January 24, 2026
2. Speer Memorial Library Marker
Marker seen here next to sign for library.
Photographed by Dave W, January 24, 2026
3. Speer Memorial Library Marker
Looking North along Mayberry Rd.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 64 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 25, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
