HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

Old Sherman Public Library

Sherman, Grayson County, Texas

Marker Inscription

A subscription library was established in Sherman in 1901 and housed in a rented room. In 1911, the city submitted a request to the Andrew Carnegie Foundation and received $20,000 for a library. This lot was purchased in 1912 for $2500 and plans were drawn for a structure of simplified beaux-arts styling by local architect John Tulloch (1860-1947). The building served as a library from 1915 until 1973. Of note are the three interior murals, completed in 1934. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1986

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Sherman's subscription library of 1901 grew into a Carnegie-funded public institution, opening in 1915 in a simplified beaux-arts building designed by local architect John Tulloch. It served readers until 1973 and is notable for three interior murals completed in 1934.

Why it matters

Andrew Carnegie's grants seeded free public libraries in hundreds of American towns, democratizing access to knowledge.

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Related people

  • · John Tulloch
  • · Andrew Carnegie

Themes & tags

EducationLandmark

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