Wayland in Allegan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Henika Ladies Library

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 6, 2014

1. Henika Ladies Library Marker

Inscription. Upon her death in April 1899, Julia Robinson Henika bequeathed two thousand dollars to the Wayland Ladies Library Association for construction of a library building. Her husband George H. Henika, and mother, Mary Forbes, later donated additional funds toward its construction. Grand Rapids architect Fred H. Eely designed the building, which the Wayland Globe newspaper predicted would be “A Very Pretty and Modern Affair.” The picturesque library opened in the spring of 1900. Although domestic in scale, the building gleans an impressive Richardsonian quality from the random ashlar fieldstone and Eely’s design. The stone used in construction was gathered from a local farm.

Erected 1993 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1274.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1899.

Location. 42° 40.38′ N, 85° 38.584′ W. Marker is in Wayland, Michigan, in Allegan County. Marker is at the intersection of S. Main Street and Pine Street, on the right when traveling north

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on S. Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 149 S Main Street, Wayland MI 49348, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Welcome to Wayland (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early History of Shelbyville (approx. 5½ miles away); Bowen's Mills (approx. 6.4 miles away); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (approx. 6.9 miles away); Welcome to the Village of Hopkins (approx. 6.9 miles away); Hopkins Township Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.9 miles away); John Carveth House (approx. 9 miles away); Geib Veterans Memorial (approx. 9.2 miles away).

Regarding Henika Ladies Library. A narrative description of the building from Michigan Historic Sites Online:

The Henika Library is a one-story structure of carefully cut and dressed local fieldstone. Its main section has a high, gable roof, with the gable facing the street, and projecting from one side is a semicircular-end porch with fieldstone piers, now glassed in and incorporated into the library. The structure's styling is an eclectic combination of Richardsonian Romanesque and Colonial-inspired details. A brick rear wing was added in 1968.

Henika Ladies Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 6, 2014

2. Henika Ladies Library

View to east from across Main Street

View to North towards Downtown Wayland image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 6, 2014

3. View to North towards Downtown Wayland

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 6, 2014

4. Henika Ladies Library

Historical Photo of Henika Ladies Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 6, 2014

5. Historical Photo of Henika Ladies Library

Close-up of image on Welcome to Wayland marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 534 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 13, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.