Potter County Library
Amarillo, Potter County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The Potter County free library was organized in 1902 by twelve local women. Many citizens donated books, and held bazaars, candy sales, and other activities to raise money to purchase more books. Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Willis donated a lot and house for the first library building. As these accommodations were outgrown, the library moved to the old post office, the fire station, and to city hall. The Potter County commissioners court granted approval for a county-supported library in July 1921. This building was designed by Amarillo Architects J. Roy Smith and W.C. Townes, and was built in 1922 by the W.M. Rice construction company at a cost of $25,000. The basement of the library was used as a public lounge to meet the needs of women shoppers and their children, and tourists. The facility included a living room, lunch room, assembly hall and resting room, and was staffed by a matron. A significant local example of an institutional building of the 1920's, this structure exhibits the clean lines, horizontal emphasis, and geometric detailing typical of the prairie school style of architecture. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1996
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The Potter County free library began in 1902 through the efforts of twelve local women, who gathered donated books and raised money with bazaars and candy sales. After moving through a series of borrowed quarters, the library won county support in 1921, and this building rose in 1922 for $25,000 in the prairie-school style. Its basement offered a lounge for women shoppers, children, and tourists, staffed by a matron.
Why it matters
The story shows how women's civic organizing built the public libraries that brought books and learning to communities across early-twentieth-century America.
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Themes & tags
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