Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Public Libraries of Georgia
These postcards appear to be somewhat scarce.
Augusta (Augusta-Richmond County Public Library)
Appleby Branch Library
Built ca. 1830 as a summer home, this was turned over to the city of Augusta for use as a library. It still serves in that capacity.
The 'Lusterchrome' card was mailed in 1961.
Cedartown (Hawkes Children's Library)
This wasn't the only one. Albert King Hawkes built four of these children's libraries in the state. Cedartown's architect was Neel Reid. It dates to 1921.
I don't know how long this sweet arrangement lasted. This building serves as a museum.
Everyone is now served by the Sara Hightower Regional Library System.
W.M. Cline postcard.
Columbus (W.C. Bradley Memorial Library)
Replaced by a humongous library building. I don't know it this still stands.
Dexter Press postcard with curved corners.
Dalton
Replaced. The fate of this attractive building is unknown to me, but it was still in use in the USA bicentennial year, 1976.
1952 Curt Teich linen finish postcard.
From the 1976 card, part of a series of 12:
Built 1911 in Greek Revival Style by Col. William C. Martin, Lawyer and banker, this home was purchased by a library founded by the Dalton Woman's Club. The Robert Loveman Memorial Room houses Dalton's lyric poet, Robert Loveman, 1864-1923, whose best known poem, "The Rain Song," ends with the familiar line:
It isn't raining rain to me,
It's raining violets.
Research & photography courtesy Helen Shope
Published by Thelma Morris & Pete Brown.
Forsythe (Monroe County Library)
I like this simple building, with homages to Classical Revival design without screaming ancient civilization. Unfortunately, it's no longer in use, and I don't know its fate yet.
W.M. Cline Co. 'Photograph Card.' Try making that stand up in court.
Fort Valley (Thomas Public Library)
Still in use, with a very large addition.
Macon (Washington Memorial Library)
This Library building seems to have earned some respect.
It was designed by Nisbet & Dunwody; and finished in 1919. It didn't open until 1923: no funds for books.
It was renovated between 1976 and 1979. This had nothing to do with the Bicentennial, as Ellen Washington Bellamy was the Washington. Between 2005 and 2011 (!), staff suffered through the longest renovation I've ever heard of.
Tichnor Quality View, mailed in 1941.
Savannah (Hodgson Hall)
Washington (Mary Willis Library)
The first free public library in Georgia, this unusual Queen Anne style library building was expanded in 1977. It is still in use today, and well deserves its listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
The hand colored postcard places an inordinate emphasis on that firm, jutting tower, doesn't it? It was mailed in 1908.
West Point (Hawkes Children's Library)
Another of the Hawkes buildings. This was designed by Robert & Company in 1922.
It also still stands, and is in use as a library/museum, run by volunteers.