Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Public Libraries of Ohio
Cities A-C
The majority of Ohio library postcards seems to be of the Carnegie buildings, of which the state is justifiably proud. However, there are a lot of handsome buildings built before or after that era.
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Although Cincinnati and Cleveland's Carnegie buildings require a separate page, their other libraries are incorporated below.
Ashtabula Harbor (Topky Memorial Library)
Now known as the Harbor-Topky Memorial Library. Actually located in Ashtabula Harbor, separate from Ashtabula.
O.C. Topky funded this location in 1958. It was expanded in 1984.
'Lusterchrome' brand card by Tichnor Bros.
Barnesville (Hutton Memorial Library)
This is an architecturally striking building which is still in use, but modified.
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The postcard was printed by Brown & Bigelow and distributed by the First National Bank.
Bluffton
Silvercraft Dexter Press card is captioned 'High School & Public Library.'
It's not clear if the library is contained within the high school building or not.
Moot point, as it seems there is a newer building.
Canal Dover
Canal Dover is now legally 'Dover,' and the Library is the Dover Public Library.
This postcard was mailed in 1913.
Cedarville
Very plain library, similar in appearance to many Carnegie libraries. Now in use as an arts center.
'Black & White' brand card. This one was a salesman's order record card, stamped Jun 6 1921, and signed R.E. Wenger.
R.E. Wenger Company was a postcard publisher, probably based in Dayton.
Cincinnati
Officially known as 'The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.'
800 Vine Street (Main Library)
High Italianate building, built in 1874: replaced in 1955. It was sold, then demolished. Messy Nessy Chic has a lovely tribute to this with many photographs. Can you imagine bringing books to other floors in pre-elevator days?.
Strangely textured (ribbed) paper stock on the postcard. It's the only 'Tom Jones' card I have. It was mailed in 1910. In case you're wondering, that's the 'New Misfit Clothing Company' nestled on one side, and the 'Volksblatt' building 2 doors down on the other.
Main Library
Although this is not quite the 1955 library building, it is close.
This is a © 1950 model of the library by F.W. Barber & Samuel Hannaford & Sons, architects. The picture of the 1955 library on the Library's web page is not radically different from concept. However, five years from concept to fait accomplit seems long to me.
The postcard is printed on photographic paper.
The replacement 1955 building is incorporated into the current main library.
Colourpicture postcard of the 1955 library after completion. The final product is quite close to the architect's vision.
Cleveland
(L) Linen finish card likely dates to the 1930s.
(R) Post-1962 chrome postcard gives the 325 Superior Avenue, N.E. address.
To the left is a Cleveland Library overdue notice, mailed in 1950.It begs the question, 'Why would someone hang on to a library notice for over 50 years?'
The unspoken one is 'Why would anyone buy it?'
When you think about the usual fine of 2¢/day, this was hardly cost effective.
100th Anniversary postcard collage by Curt Teich. History below:
The Cleveland Public Library opened on February 17, 1869 in one room with 6,200 books. 100 years later, the System comprises two Main buildings downtown, with the Eastman Reading Garden between, 37 neighborhood branches, and a collection of 3,204,874 books.
Cuyahoga Falls (Taylor Memorial Library)
According to a Facebook post, funds were bequeathed by Margaretta Taylor, and this neat Neogeorgian library built in 1912. It was replaced in 1971.
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The postcard likely dates to the early 1960s, as that's a Ford Falcon to left. The Colton Studio card was printed by Dexter Press.
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