Last Week's Photo:Myrtle Babbitt called in right away to identify [last
week's] picture of the old public library as the Thorp Moose Lodge,
located at the intersection of North Lincoln and West Main Streets.
Mary Ogurek also called Friday morning with information concerning our
library’s history. The Thorp Courier’s editor and publisher, Mr. William
Wagner, along with George Parkhill, called upon the state librarian to
ask for the official organization of a Thorp Public Library, and in
1898, the library was begun. Its 120 volumes were originally housed in
the rooms above the newspaper. Wagner resigned his post in July of 1899,
and at that time the Thorp Women’s Union Club was organized for the
purpose of raising funds for the library. Books were moved to a location
on West Main Street. By 1925, the Women’s Union had raised funds and on
February 2, 1926, the Thorp Public Library opened at its new location at
the intersection of West Main and North Lincoln Street (building in
photo last week). The building’s total cost was $4,202, with the Red
Cross raising additional funds for plumbing and heating installation and
furnishings. Eileen Frenette called in to say that the librarian at the
time was Edith Brunner, whose husband was the town’s blacksmith.
The library remained at that location until November 1, 1969, when it
moved to its present location, at the building donated by Francis and
Min Conway. Thorp Boy Scouts helped with the move. Juanita Schmidt was
the head librarian at that time, and Nyda Ahles and Mary Ogurek were her
assistants. |
