Library in 1885 |
Its history is an interesting one. Originally opened inside the mine's company store after, according to one popular legend, mining officials arrived in Bisbee to find a man hung by a lynch mob, the consensus was that the miners needed something to occupy their time. With a donation of 400 books from back East, the library was born. Its location moved several times over the decades, first in 1885 to a two-story wood-framed structure, then after a fire in 1892 left the building and books in ashes, a brick building was erected and the library reestablished.
It moved to its current location above the Bisbee Post Office in 1907 and, even today, serves as a gathering place for locals. In fact, some of the furniture from that time is still in use, though the brass spittoons are a thing of the past.
Copper Queen Library - circa 1907 |
Copper Queen Library - circa 2016 |
Roughly 3000 of the 5,500 residents of Bisbee carry library cards and an annex was added last December to serve the nearly 150 families residing in the nearby border town of Naco.
Now, where did I put my library card?
2 comments:
I love old buildings that are still in use. Glad the citizens keep their library going.
I love this piece of history. Thank you for sharing. Doris
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