Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Public Libraries of Indiana
Cities N-Z
Nappanee
(L) E.C. Kropp linen-finish card. Kropp linens can be an acquired taste: this is one of the best.
(R) Clear view brand card by Wayne Paper Box & Printing, mailed in 1939.
I couldn't find any history on the Library's site, but I did find a wonderful photography page with both an incredible merged image and a photograph which shows this building, facade intact, surrounded by the new library. Stunning images!
New Albany (Floyd County Public Library)
This building replaced the Carnegie building in 1969.
Although this William R. Blackwell postcard is not of the highest quality, it offers a charming glimpse of how the public libraries of the mid-twentieth century were arranged.
New Castle (New Castle-Henry County Public Library)
New Harmony (Murphy Library)
Attribution from card caption: probably renamed or misattributed.
Today this library, in a remarkable state of preservation, is known as the New Harmony Workingmen's Institute Central Library. It's Indiana's oldest continuously operating public library, founded in 1838.
Orland (Joyce Library)
With a population of ca. 430, Orland has had a public library for a very long time. The second floor location is archives today.
There's a lot to archive. Founded by settlers from Vermont, Orland was a major stop on the Underground Railroad.
I'm not certain of the publisher of this print monochrome postcard.
Plainfield
Predates the Carnegie building. I believe that this was the town's Meeting House.
CCCC/Weixelbaum postcard, mailed in 1910.
Richmond (Morrison and Reeves Library)
Founded in 1864. The card shows the renovated and expanded building! It even had Tiffany windows!
At first, when you look at the Library's website, you hope this building is still in use.
Gleefully, you click through to their local history pages. Later you realize that it was recently demolished. Judging from their 'Then and Now' series lead photo, it happened significantly later than its 1975 replacement.
They salvaged the good bits, however, including the Tiffany windows.
Rushville
This Bedford limestone building is a legacy of the Depression years, built 1931. It's still in use, and looks as if it's never undergone any exterior renovation, That's because they excavated during the 1988-1989 renovation. I approve!
(L) Attractive photo postcard by FASFOTO of Cincinnati.
(R) The card is a Curt Teich product and appears to be a newer iteration of the Blue Sky series.
South Bend
Souvenir Post Card.
Stunning photo postcard for the Economical Drug Store.
Gardner News Agency postcard.
This building was also known as 'The Castle.' It was built in 1895-6, and demolished in 1958.
The replacement library is shown below right.
Mrs. Betty Ruth Spiro Memorial Library
This card displays the good variety of mid-century architecture. Notice the bas-reliefs of books, a lamp of wisdom, and a printing press. This library was named for benefactor Mrs. Betty Ruth Spiro, and opened in 1960. In turn, it was heavily renovated in the early 1990s.
The rounded corner Dexter Press - Penrod Studio card seems to date from very soon after opening. This card style is difficult to present well.
Terre Haute (Emeline Fairbanks Memorial Library)
(L) S.H. Knox postcard, never mailed.
(R) Bundy postcard, mailed in 1907.
Superceded by the Vigo County District Library.
This Library has a weird history. At first it was under the jurisdiction of the Terre Haute school system.
This building was built in 1906 at 222 N. 7th Street, by the Modern Construction Company of Terre Haute to the Beaux Arts design of W.H. Floyd and C.E. Scott. Indiana State University acquired the building from the city in 1979 and converted it into an art building in 1984.
Topeka (Sycamore Literary Hall)
The literary (likely the second) hall was funded by Andrew Carnegie and Levi (another source states Jacob) Strass, and was a much nicer facility. Unfortunately, it burned in 1915.
According to La Grange County from Historic Northeast Indiana (1920), a wall and a basement were salvaged, and the hall rebuilt.
This M.G. Callahan postcard, however, was mailed in 1910, indicating that it was older than the Carnegie building fire. Stylistically, I would date this to the 1860s or 1870s. The Society was founded in 1879, making it likely that there was a precursor building, and this was it.
Versailles (Tyson Library)
Still in use, with a large addition.
The Library has what appears to be a tin roof, and canna lilies out front.
This card seems to be a little bit of a trademark infringement on Curt Teich.
Teich had its 'Blue Sky' series: here, above the words 'Post Card' appears a small 'Blue Sky.'
It was produced by the Eagle Post Card View Co. of New York; published by Spencer's Drug Store of Versailles; and mailed in 1946.
Vincennes
This card features the City Hall, which contained the Library from 1889 until the Carnegie building replaced it in 1919. The photo postcard was produced by the Davidson Brothers, and was mailed in 1910.
This building was photographed by Arthur Rothstein in 1938, when it served as the City Hall and Courthouse. I haven't found any more recent images. Since the City Hall functions have also been relocated, I believe this has been demolished.
Municipal buildings also had met some ignominious fates over the years.
