Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Public Libraries of Louisiana
Abbeville
Now the Vermilion Parish Library.
Prior attempts at library service began in 1907 and failed in 1911. With the assistance of Wisconsinite Lutie Stearns, service resumed in 1915. Service was sporadic, and during WWII there was enough income to begin taxing for a freestanding building. M&L Construction finished this in early 1950.
1953 Curt Teich 'C.T. Photo-Finish' card also shows a church, the water tower, and the cemetery in addition to the Library.
Abita Springs
Replaced (or strikingly remodeled) into a strikingly beautiful branch of the St. Tammany Parish Library.
Dexter Press postcard.
Hammond (Miller Memorial Library)
Part of the Tangipahoa Parish Library, which sounds a bit Hawaiian.
1958 Curt Teich chrome card.
Lake Charles (Carnegie Memorial Library)
Replaced a Carnegie building in 1952, but at least they memorialized the founding building.
Now part of the Calcasieu Parish Library.
Nearly all the Louisiana public libraries are part of parish-wide systems. Other states such as Indiana have county-wide systems.
Dexter Press card printed for the Elam News Agency.
This isn't much of a view, I'm aware. I'd really rather show you a lovely Carnegie library postcard.
Minden (Webster Parish Library)
Formerly the 'Old Ferguson Home.' Served as a library from 1963-1999.
Dexter Press/Quade Studio postcard.
Monroe (Ouachita Parish Public Library)
Built in 1958: still in use.
The Curt Teich postcard shows a nice view of an attractive Mid-Century Modern building.
Opelousas (St. Landry Public Library)
Replaced.
Library service is now provided by the Opelousas-Eunice Public Library.
The linen finish postcard states that this library was located in Yambilee City, and sponsored by the Opelousas Women's Club.
Shreveport
By Dexter Press.
By Graycraft.
It certainly is.
For Hillman Candy
Not many libraries flaunt their affiliation with the Federal Depository Library Program on their web sites: Shreveport does. It also furnishes branch histories.