LIBRARY POSTOFFICE

The Bowman building, two story brick, stood in the corner of our present library yard, facing east. The location of part of the foundation may still be traced in 1968. This well-known building was destroyed in a spectacular fire in 1887. The flames leaped to buildings across the street, and a little south, and burned to the end of the street on the south.
Picture of Bowman Building

The Carrollton Public Library was first promoted by the University Extension Club organized during the winter of 1900-01 by Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Rainey, which met in Mr. Rainey's law office. When Andrew Carnegie announced his intention to give many thousands of dollars to establish public libraries, the club corresponded with the steel philanthropist and circulated petitions to stimulate local interest. In April, 1901, enthusiastic public meetings were held, the library was made an issue in the city election, candidates for the city council were pledged to vote for the two-mill library tax which carried in the city election by an overwhelming majority. The new city council adopted a resolution for establishing and maintaining a free public library, and Mayor G. W. Ross appointed as the first library board: H. T. Rainey, S. E. Pierson, F. P. Williams, E. A. Doolittle, C. A. Weimer, Geo. W. Davis, B. 0. Hodges, Mrs. Howard Burns and Mrs. Helen B. Martin. The board organized with Mr. Davis as president, Mr. Hodges, vice president, and Mr. Pierson, secretary.

In order to further comply with the terms of Andrew Carnegie and his proposed donation of $10,000, the city council made an appropriation of $4000 and the library board began looking for a suitable detached site to be purchased by the city. The Bowman lots, on the south side of the square were selected as by far the most available and were finally purchased.

Everyone gave liberally for the library. Clubs held book showers; Thos. H. Boyd had offered a building site; Sam Eldred, wealthy Chicagoan, willed his library of several thousand volumes to Carrollton; and John Schwarz offered a room in his south side building rent free for six months for a temporary reading room. His offer was accepted and opened Nov. 18, 1901 — the actual beginning of a public library—and Mrs. Helen Martin was employed as librarian at $15 a month, the reading room to be open each afternoon.

The Bowman site having been purchased, plans for the building were adopted and the contract was let in February, 1902, to Thos. S. Moore for the brickwork and to M.L.

Reed for the carpenter work, the total price being $9318, the building to be completed by October 31. Completed according to contract, the building was described as 63 x 40 in size, two stories and bas'ement, walls of mat-faced brick, slate roof. The main floor was arranged for library and reading room, the second floor, a small auditorium, seating about 200, and a club room, the two separated by a rolling partition, the club room serving as a stage for the auditorium.

Carnegie gave $6000 in September , 1902, as first installment of the $10,000, and a contribution of $500 was received from Mrs. M. C. Kelsey of Chicago as a memorial to her father, Judge Boyd.

The library was moved into the new building the second week in Nov., 1902. The preceding week, Mrs. Martin resigned as librarian, as she was moving to another state, and Miss Laura Wright, who had been her assistant, was appointed to the vacancy. Miss Wright served as librarian from 1902 until 1944. She was succeeded by Mrs. Ruth Baltz, 1944-1968. The present librarian is Mrs. Hilda Little and the Library Board at the present time: Clem Dunsworth, president, Mrs. Alma Daum, secretary-treasurer, Robert Schacher, Frank Daniels, Mrs. Emma dough and Gilbert K. Hutchens.

The Post Office at Carrollton was first established in 1822, with John W. Skidmore as Post Master. He was succeeded by Samuel Lee, Jr. Mr. Lee was succeeded by Philip N. Rampy. At this time the Post Office was located in the Court House.

At one time the Post Office was located on the west side of the square in what is now the Farm Bureau building. Later it was located in the building on the west side of the square, now occupied by Dr. A. D. Wilson. It was in this location until it moved to its present location, a block east of the square, on East North Main Street.

The present Post Office was completed on June 1, 1932, nineteen years after the government had purchased the site.

Other Postmasters:

1830 - P. N. Rampy (Office was kept in Court House) Charles Lancaster (Was later sentenced to penitentiary) James Reno (Druggist, Landlord and Postmaster) Alfred Hinton

POSTOFFICE PARKS

April 1852 - Robert F. dark (Mr. dark did not care to fill the position and resigned within a week)

April 1852 - July 1953 - Richard B. Hill July 1853 - December 1854 - Ralph W. Kay December 1854 - Marshall Dulaney (Held office for 7 years) Thomas D. Price Simon P. Ohr James Cox F. B. Roberts

1867 - George \V. Williams (Served for 15 years) 1878 - Charles Lynn 1 885 - Jp.mes Lynn Edward Smith Ed Simpson J. H. Pierson -S. Elmer .Simpson

June 17, 1936 - May 12, 1940 - Phillip Daum, Sr. (Expired in office)

11)41 - .Sept. 19r>9 - Mrs. Meda Dowdall

Sept. ), 1959 - Sept. 30, 1961 - George Graham (Acting Postmaster)

Oct. ], 1961 - Joseph Alfeld (Present Postmaster")

Three public spirited citizens, Captain William Fry, Miss Nettie Wright and Beverly C. Hodges willed plots of ground to the City that have been beautified into small but very attractive parks and playgrounds, the last named being the site of the State Memorial Statue to Speaker H. T. Rainey. (See Monuments)