Robert J. Kleberg Public Library
Kingsville, Kleberg County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Begun by the Woman's Club in 1909, Kingsville's Public Library was moved to this building in 1927. B. E. Giesecke and A. W. Harris of Austin designed the Spanish colonial revival structure, which was built under the leadership of club president Mrs. John D. Finnegan. It is located on land donated from the Henrietta M. King Estate by Robert J. Kleberg, the prominent area cattleman for whom it was named. The public library was located here for 30 years.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Kingsville's public library began as a project of the Woman's Club in 1909 and moved in 1927 into this Spanish colonial revival building, erected under the leadership of club president Mrs. John D. Finnegan. The land was donated from the Henrietta M. King Estate by cattleman Robert J. Kleberg, for whom the library was named. It served the community from this site for three decades.
Why it matters
It reflects how women's clubs drove the spread of public libraries across America, and the shaping hand of the King-Kleberg ranching dynasty on South Texas civic life.
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Related people
- · Robert J. Kleberg
- · Henrietta M. King
- · Mrs. John D. Finnegan
Themes & tags
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