Texas Architectural Preservation Library, Yoakum Texas (original) (raw)

It's not likely you'd drive to Yoakum to check out books. Even if they let you, It's even less likely you'd make the return trip, which is why they didn't let you have them in the first place.

But forget books, because our interest in the Yoakum Library is the building in which it's housed. It's the old City Electrical Plant, built in 1931, and saved from demolition by wise and thinking Yoakumites.

It's a charming building, with a matching librarian. Virginia Ferrell will celebrate her 25th Anniversary with the Yoakum Library in May of this year.

The structure reminds us of Charlie Chaplin's workplace in Modern Times, but here there's no danger of getting caught up in pre-OSHA machinery. There's lots of brick, though, and industrial gray painted steel, mostly in the form of huge girders and cross beams. If your visit finds them closed, you can view the interior through the front door.

The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has a plaque from the Texas Historic Commission as well. It has received the Downtown Association's Award for Best Adaptive Use of an Existing Structure(1991), and now it has even been recognized by us.

The 1930's Industrial Architecture included lots of skylights, and this one runs the entire length of the building. The horizontal crane now sits immobile over the children's section, dangling a good 2 tons of chain, much to the delight of young readers, who no doubt dream of it coming loose and crushing someone they don't like.

Ms. Ferrell oversees a photo library of the restoration, and several framed vintage photos show the old power generators in place. Some of the photos are fading, however, because of that damn skylight. Bigger was better in 1931, and the behemoth generators probably generated enough power to light every 40 watt bulb in town and still have enough left over for the toaster in the mayor's office.

The Yoakum Library is named after Carl and Mary Welhausen, local philanthropists who not only gave the lion's share of donations, but donated the very book we were in search of. We have a feeling there were many more.

Ms. Ferrell gave us directions to other Yoakum sites, drawing maps on the back on old card-catalog-cards. This reutilization of discarded paper reminds us that librarians were recycling before recycling became chic ("cool" for our younger readers).

The Library is located just southeast of downtown on Front Street. Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 to 6:00. 361-293-5001 See Cuero and DeWitt County > Yoakum Area Hotels - Book Your Hotel Here & Save Hallettsville Hotels >