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The
Carnegie Library in Temple, Texas
Temple,
Texas
Burned in 1918 |
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The
Carnegie Library in Temple
Postcard courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
| Temple
built its library in 1902. Although this building burned in 1918 it is partially
responsible for the well oiled machine that is the Temple Library today. |
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Another
image of the library
Postcard courtesy of the Temple Library Archives |
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A dispute over construction (the architect wanted a portion of the building brought
in line with his blueprints) resulted in the contractor leaving town and the library
half finished. The Carnegie Corporation furnished additional funds and the
contractor's bonding company paid $2,500, which completed the building but left
no money for books (a frequent problem). A citizen of Temple -- who shall
remain nameless because someone forgot to record the name -- loaned the library
$480.00 interest free and 1500 volumes were purchased. This figure is not
a misprint: 1500 books for $480.00!
After the library burned the
land became a park and library funds, which were supposed to be held, were loaned
to a local farmer. Upon his death in the 1940s his 44 acres had increased
in value and became the property of the city, therefore a large increase in the
library fund.
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© John Troesser |
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