Carnegie Libraries in Texas. (original) (raw)

Texas | Architecture
Of the 1689 Carnegie Libraries built, 32 were in Texas. Of these, 13 remain with only 4 serving their original purpose.

Of the 1689 Carnegie Libraries built, 32 were in Texas. Of these, 13 remain with only 4 serving their original purpose. While around the country Carnegie Libraries are being used for everything from dance studios to law offices, in Texas all serve civic functions.

Source:
Carnegie Libraries Across America : A Public Legacy, Theodore Jones, Prservation Press, 1997

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This could be an error - The Hertzburg Circus museum now occupies a Greek Revival building with inscribed quotes from Emerson, Goethe et. al. It was obviously a library).

Carnegie Libraries Forum

Editor's note: Anna Thomas' mention of the Belton Carnegie Library piqued our interest and so we asked if she'd mind writing about her patronage. Her story follows:

Dear Texas Escapes, As a child growing up in Belton, my fondest memory of going to the Carnegie Library was sitting in the rear room to the right. There lying on the table would be an old fashioned Stereo Photo Viewer. It was wooden and had a sort of telescopic lens that you could see through and at the far end was a postcard holder . Being hand held, you could insert the card and slide it near or far and it was very interesting . My favorite cards were about history and animals.

I dont recall the name of the lady Librarian, but I do remember that she was very nice and always so helpful to me. I enjoyed looking through different books there, and yet I never did have a library card.

... I encourage other visitors to Texas Escapes to share their stories, as we all have a story just waiting to be told. Thank You, again, for allowing me to tell a small part of mine. - Anna Thomas (Anna Jane Davis) Belton, Texas, June 24, 2004 Carnegie Library Links