FIRST Irving Public Library - Irving, TX
N 32° 48.731 W 096° 56.795
14S E 692243 N 3632332
An Irving Centennial marker stands in Irving's Heritage Park, providing some background about this converted home, which was the first permanent location of the Irving Public Library.
Waymark Code: WMRTC7
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/02/2016
Views: 4
While this was not the very first location of the Irving Public Library, it was the very first permanent location, noted by a sign here that simply says "Original Library Building. The 2008 Centennial Marker provides an explanation and some history:
On May 5, 1941, civic activist Esther Hurwitz opened Irving's first library in a 7' x 12' corner of Louis Blaylock's Furniture Store at 126 E. First St. The Irving Public Library Assn. received a state charter in December 1941, with J.E. Van Horn, W.E. Harrington, and Mrs. Hurwitz as incorporators. In the spring of 1942, the library moved to rented quarters at 113 E. First St. (now E. Irving Blvd.) The Library Assn. soon purchased six lots at the northwest corner of Main and Third Streets, and Mrs. Hurwitz bought a five-room house for $1,000. In 1951, she had the house moved to 217 S. Main St., one of the vacant lots, where she operated the library until 1962. By 1960, City of Irving leaders were discussing building and maintaining a municipal library. Until then, city support of the existing library had been limited. The city built the Irving Municipal Library at 915 N. O'Connor Rd., and it opened on February 24, 1962. Most of the books and property owned by the Irving Public Library were transferred to the new Municipal Library. At the same time, Mrs. Hurwitz dismantled the former library. The Irving Public Library Assn. was officially dissolved in 1964.
FIRST - Classification Variable: Place or Location
Date of FIRST: 05/05/1941
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.