West Chicago Public Libraries - A Brief History
Wikipedia says the Congregational Church had a library as far back as 1856. According to Frank F. Scobey, West Chicago City Historian, in his booklet "100 Years of Incorporation", circa 1973, page 48, the first semblance of a library in West Chicago was "...established by the temperance group of the railroad fraternity, and their reading room was dedicated on March 15, 1870...". A "Reading Room" was available a couple days a week in the Bolles Opera House starting in 1894. Within a year or so, it was open 7 days a week.
West Chicago Press, Centennial Issue, August 4, 1949, section 4, page 5.
A volunteer library opened in 1929 on the 2nd floor of the old city hall. After reorganizing in 1934 to a municipal library, a permanent dedicated library building was constructed in 1954. The following two pictures are the city library that we knew before, during and after our high schools years.
The West Chicago Public Library at 332 E. Washington Street shortly after it opened in 1954. A west wing was added 4 years later in 1958. The library moved to a new facility at 118 W. Washington Street, in 1993 (its current location). Photo courtesy of West Chicago City Museum.
|
Inside the new West Chicago Public Library shorty after it opened in 1954. Photo from the Chicago Tribune Photo Gallery History of West Chicago & Warrenville, Illinois.
|
The following two pictures show the city library as it looks today.
The south east corner of the
West Chicago Public Library, built in 1993 on the site of the old C&NW RR coach yards, and later Ward Lumber Company and Buds Market. Photo courtesy of Bill Nolan.
|
The main entrance of the West Chicago Public Library, as it exists today, at 118 W. Washington St, faces west. Turner Ct runs along the east side of the building. Photo courtesy of Bill Nolan.
|
Wikipedia contains a more complete history of the West Chicago Public Library.
|
Unique
|
Total
|
