History of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte, 1927County history published by the Historians' Association . . . .
Source Citation:
Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927.
History of
the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana, Embracing the Counties of Lake,
Porter and LaPorte: An Historical Account of Its People and Its Progress
from the Earliest Times to the Present.
Volume I. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 840 p.
HISTORY OF THE LAKE AND CALUMET REGION OF INDIANA
CHAPTER XXI.
LIBRARIES.
ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES -- MICHIGAN CITY -- LAPORTE --
VALAPRAISO -- CROWN POINT -- WHITING -- HAMMOND -- GARY -- EAST CHICAGO.
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The advantages of a public library as an important educational factor was early appreciated by the citizens in the leading centers of the Lake and Calumet Region and as soon as favorable legislation was enacted, prompt action was taken for their establishment. To obtain the greatest possible educational results was a problem for each city as the conditions in many centers were in no way similar and the striking manner in which the needs of each community have been supplied is the result of painstaking study of local conditions by qualified observers active in the management of the institutions.
The history of the libraries in the Lake and Calumet Region show how far reaching are the methods employed to arouse interest in both adults and the young to enjoy library advantages, and in the industrial centers the course taken in meeting the wants of the worker eager to increase his economic value, and the stimulation and encouragement given to many nationalities to take advantage of library service and enjoy the choicest educational works in their own language. Looking back a few years one can appreciate the constantly widening influence and the increasing field of usefulness which has marked the progress of libraries generally in the Lake Region, and the results attained show that libraries have been brought to a commanding position of influence in education and fill a need in every community which in no other manner can be filled.
That their value as an educational and civic factor of outstanding importance is appreciated may be shown by the generous financial support now given libraries by citizens in all cities who have come to realize that a public library is one of the most necessary institutions in the promotion of city welfare. The history of each public library in the Lake and Calumet Region follows:
MICHIGAN CITY.
The Michigan City Library had its origin in the last will and testament of George Ames, a citizen who had always taken great interest in educational matters, and in his will the sum of $5,000 was set aside as a fund to be used in the purchase of books for a public library
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in case it was established within a stated period of time. A literary society, known as the Fortnightly Club, decided to organize a library association and endeavor to bring about the establishment of a public library in accordance with the Indiana state library law of 1881.
The organization was effected in 1896 and John H. Barker, Michigan City’s greatest citizen, made the public library a certainty by his offer to donate one-third of the entire cost of a library building if the balance could be obtained by subscriptions from other citizens. The committee appointed to solicit funds soon raised $30,000 and a beautiful structure was erected on the corner of Spring and Eighth streets. The interior furnishings and appliances are especially adapted for convenience and service. Miss Marilla Freeman organized the library, which was opened to the public in October, 1897, and she remained as librarian for five years. The present acting librarian is Miss Marie Wilcox and assistant librarian Miss Mary Maxwell.
The officers and members of the Michigan City Library Association are John J. Riley, president; Mrs. W. B. Hutchinson, vice president; W. W. Vail, treasurer; Mrs. J. F. Gallaher, secretary; Judge H. L. Crumpacker, Rev. Paul Irion, J. H. Orr, Miss Kate Valentine, Mrs. Howard H. Spaulding, Jr. The present trustees are Judge H. L. Crumpacker, Rev. Paul Irion and Mrs. W. B. Hutchinson. The present number of volumes in the library approximate 17,500 with a circulation in the past year of 86,151 in the main library and 4,843 in the school library, a total circulation of 90,994. This is a high average circulation and shows the library to be an educational factor of great importance to Michigan City.
LAPORTE.
The first library in LaPorte was a private circulating library and it was so popular that others were instituted. One of the best in LaPorte was operated by George B. Roberts, and it had a large patronage. Under a provision in the will of William McClure, which provided $500 for the purchase of books for any club or association of working men who were maintaining a library of at least 100 volumes, the Workmen’s Library was established in LaPorte in 1856. The members of the workmen’s library were employees of the railroad shops, who contributed individually or received gifts of books so that they had 100 volumes and through Mr. McClure’s fund for this purpose, 276 volumes were purchased, costing slightly over $500. It is worth recording that 144 associations in eighty-nine counties in Indiana received attention under the McClure will.
After several years the library was moved to Allen Block and reorganized under the name of the McClure Workmen’s Institute. About this period Rev. George Noyes attempted the establishment of another library
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and succeeded in raising $500 by subscription. At a meeting of the subscribers, William Hannah was elected president; James Moore, vice president, and William Niles, secretary; and a permanent organization was affected. It was suggested that through a consolidation with the McClure Workmen’s Institute, that a broad public interest could be created and sufficient funds obtained to greatly enlarge the field of usefulness. The consolidation was arranged in 1863 and for a time the institution lacked the necessary vigor expected and failed to meet the anticipations of those who promoted the union.
In 1865, under new officials, the organization made progress and became a member of the Western Literary Association. Doctor Dakin, who became president at this time, took great interest in the organization and was an important factor in its later success. Doctor Higday about this time started a natural history collection and also a German section. Doctor Collins in 1871 finished his new marble front building and generously gave the use of the upper story to the association without charge and for a period of five years if desired. In 1874 General Orr purchased the Presbyterian Church property and an adjoining lot and presented them to the association under certain conditions and with the further understanding that $6,000 additional be raised by subscriptions from other citizens, which amount was obtained by solicitors in a few days. Difference, however, occurred among the directors of the association and it was unable to comply fully with General Orr’s terms and the property was quit-claimed back to General Orr.
Various plans were now suggested to give stability to the institution but nothing definite was accomplished. In May, 1876, the association purchased the lot on which the present City Library stands and erected a single story structure 25x70 feet. About this time, the association being in debt, turned over the library property to the Young Men’s Christian Association, which was recently formed for literary purposes, and which was expected to be a great educational factor, and for two years they were in control, but they failed to make any progress with the institution or reduce the debt. Some friends of the association went security for the debt and in 1880 the library was turned over to Prof. John B. Holmes to be operated by him at his expense and if possible pay off the debt on any returns he was to receive including membership dues. This arrangement proved a success and was continued with Mrs. Holmes. The association during this period was in receipt of various donations and bequests and among them were the Reynolds farm near Otis, which was willed to the association by Aurora Case and which netted $5,500; $1,000 from the estate of Nancy M. Treat and also conditionally a dwelling house valued at $4,000 which later became the property of the association.
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In June, 1896, the association voted to turn over the library property, which was valued about $20,000, to the city of LaPorte. Improvements were made by the city and the property became a thoroughly modern institution. In 1920 a gift from the Carnegie Library Fund enabled the trustees to erect a beautiful library building equipped with modern conveniences at a cost of $37,500. At present there are 24,142 volumes in the library, which shows that the city has been generous in supporting the institution and the circulation of 77,939 during the past year proves its great educational worth to LaPorte and vicinity. The present librarian is Flora M. Case and the assistant librarians are Mrs. Vivian R. Lockridge and Mrs. Jennie B. Jessup. The library maintains three branches, the Colored Community Branch, Holy Family Hospital Branch and Washington School Branch. The present trustees are H. H. Keller, president; Mrs. Mary J. Walker, vice president, and Emmet Scott, secretary.
The LaPorte Historical Museum: Housed in a large room on the first floor of the library building is the important collection of relics of pioneer days belonging to the LaPorte Historical Society and which includes Indian relics collected by Doctor Higday, costumes and miscellaneous articles given by Mrs. Mary Teagarden Clark, a printed treatise on the botanical treatment of disease by Doctor Teagarden, one of the pioneer physicians, and many other interesting exhibits. But most important of all is the famous Jones collection of antique firearms, the gift of the wealthy LaPorte collector, who spent years in acquiring it and who traveled all over the world in his quest for rare and unique firearms.
It is said to be next to the best private collection in existence and has about 900 separate pieces, from an arm three inches long to the mammoth elephant gun formerly used by the Boers in South Africa. Firearms from nearly every country are in the collection and many rare specimens of swords and other cutting weapons. The collection of Colt revolvers is complete and also the “pepper box” variety. A suggestion made to Mr. Jones by the librarian, Mrs. Jennie B. Jessup, that he present his collection to the library was responsible for it now being housed in the museum. After some thought Mr. Jones looked upon the suggestion with favor and after his death a clause in his will provided that the entire collection be given to the library and in 1920 it was received by the institution.
VALPARAISO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Porter County Public Library Association was organized in 1838 shortly after the Legislature had passed a law defining how a library association could be formed and the privileges it could enjoy. The required amount of money to start the library was quickly subscribed and slowly but steadily the number of subscribers in-
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creased and additional books purchased so that ten years after organization the library had 500 volumes, which could only be drawn by the members of the Library Association. The old Township Library Law passed by the Legislature in 1852 proved an unfortunate experiment, as most of the township libraries through poor management and other causes had only short periods of activity and usefulness.
The Valparaiso City Library is a comparatively young institution, having its beginning shortly after the opening of the present century, when Hubbard and Finette M. Hunt donated the Hunt homestead on North Washington Street to the city as long as it was used for library purposes. It was in 1904 that action was taken to perfect an organization to take advantage of the Hunt homestead donation and the school board, the city council and the judge of the Circuit Court, under authority of law, brought about the appointment of a very efficient library board of seven members and organized with O. P. Kinsey, president; William E. Pinney, vice president; the remaining members being Mrs. Clara DeMotte, Mrs. W. H. Gardner, Prof. A. A. Hughhart, Mrs. Alla Bryant and Mrs. N. L. Agnew. In 1905 the library with 560 volumes was opened.to the public and in 1909 under the township law of 1903 it became a township library with John W. McNay and Thomas Brown as additional members of the library board to represent Center Township.
Being a free circulating library, it became a very popular city institution and made necessary year by year a constant increase in the number of volumes which in 1926 was approximately 12,000, with a circulation during the past year of 50,298. Miss Bertha Joel was appointed librarian at the opening of the institution and her services continued for many years. The present librarian is Zada N. Carr and the assistant librarian is Ann Berman. The present library board is A. A. Hughhart, president; M. J. Bowman, vice president; Mrs. Clara S. DeMotte, secretary; Mrs. Alla Bryant, Miss Mabel Benney, Charles Chrisman, Thomas Brown and Mrs. Ross Winship. The library has a large number of volumes considering the population and that it is of great value to the community and appreciated by the citizens is shown by the high circulation—well above the average.
GARY PUBLIC LIBRARY.
It was a wonderful group of men who founded Gary — men with vision and forethought in every line of endeavor in laying the foundation of the wonder city of America. Among their first thoughts was the development of every educational factor of importance so it was natural that a public library would be one of the institutions to be given early consideration.
Although the Indiana law providing for public libraries in charge of separate boards of library trustees was enacted in 1901, the first step in
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the inauguration of a public library in Gary had to be taken by the Gary School Board under the old permissive law of 1881. This was due to the fact that the law of 1901 required five years’ residence in a community before a citizen was eligible to serve as a library trustee. Gary being in 1907 only one year old no one was thus eligible. The School Board, however, did not wish the responsibility of managing two institutions, so they appointed somewhat informally a board of four members and delegated to them the organization and management of a public library for Gary.
This first group consisted of William A. Wirt, superintendent of schools; Rev. Father Thomas Jansen, of Holy Angels Church; Judge Ora L.
Wiklermuth, who as school teacher, lawyer and librarian had circulated books from a small collection purchased from funds raised by subscription the preceding year; and Mrs. John E. Sears, wife of the alderman from Gary’s Third Ward, which by the articles of incorporation consisted of all territory south of the Wabash Railroad’s right of way.
The organization of the new board took place on March 30, 1908, Father Jansen being elected chairman of the board and Mr. Wirt secretary. It was decided to hold weekly meetings each Monday afternoon at the offices of the Board of Education. At the June 1 meeting a room was leased for two years in the Kahan Building on the south side of Seventh Avenue between Washington and Broadway, No. 31-33 West Seventh.
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On August 31 the new librarian, Louis J. Bailey, until then on the staff of the Congressional Library in Washington (now the director of the Indiana Library and Historical Department) took up the work of getting the library into shape for opening, and on December 1, 1908, the new institution was thrown open to the public with a book collection of
volumes, Mrs. Sears being assigned borrower’s card No. 1. Three hundred eighty-four borrowers were registered during the first month and 1,292 books were circulated.
The first annual report, July 31, 1909, covering a period of eight months, showed 18,536 circulation and 1,450 borrowers. Miss Lucy Newlin was appointed as assistant in January, 1909, and the minutes of the board show the following temporary assistants during the first year: Grace Sears, Evelyn Burke and Mildred Gottlieb, the latter still on the library staff in charge of rural extension work. On September 20, 1909, Miss Orpha Maud Peters became assistant librarian and has remained a vital force in the library service ever since. Mr. Bailey remained at the head of the institution until his resignation in August, 1922.
In July, 1911, the control of the library was transferred from the School Board and its sub-committee to a public library board appointed in accordance with the Public Library Act of 1901, and the new board as then constituted consisted of Father Jansen, promptly elected president; Judge Wildermuth, J. A. Gross, George M. Hunter, Mrs. William R. Brown, Mrs. Homer J. Carr and Miss Annie Klingensmith.
On August 1, 1911, the library moved to larger quarters at 624 Washington Street, and there remained until the erection of the present building, which was dedicated November 17, 1912. The site was presented by the Gary Land Company, ten lots valued at that time at $35,000. The building itself was erected with $65,000 given the city by the Carnegie Corporation. The architect of the new building was Henry D. Whitfield, of New York, the construction was supervised by J. J. Verplank, a Gary architect, and the contractor was James I. Barnes of Logansport.
The first branch library was established in Tolleston in December, 1910, soon after that community became part of the city of Gary. The branch was housed at first in a store building on Tenth Place near Roosevelt Place and was in charge of Miss Grace Fisher. A branch library in charge of Miss Aidah Taylor at Froebel School was opened in April, 1913, remaining in this location until a library building erected from Carnegie funds was opened in January, 1918, and named the Bailey Branch for Gary’s first librarian.
The first rural extension service was given in January, 1914, after Hobart Township had voted a tax for service as part of the Gary Public Library system. The Hobart Library Building was erected during 1914 by the Carnegie Corporation on ground purchased and donated by the
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Woman’s Reading Club of Hobart. The first Hobart librarian was Miss Dorothy Thomas.
Nineteen-twenty-six finds beside the Central Library, six city branches, Tolleston, Bailey, Miller, Glen Park, Roosevelt and Alcott, besides stations at Ambridge and West Gary. The rural field of service now includes the townships of Calumet, Hobart and St. John in Lake County and Westchester in Porter County, branches being maintained at East Gary and Hobart, Griffith and Ross, Dyer and Schererville, also at Chesterton, and a small station is to be found at St. Johns Village. During 1925 there was a record of 32,294 registered borrowers, and a circulation of 503,992 books loaned for home circulation by a staff of thirty-four full time employees and twelve part time employees. The book collection numbers 113,532 volumes belonging to the library system and 1,058 music rolls.
Former Librarian Lewis J. Bailey, under whose supervision the library has made such wonderful progress, resigned in October, 1922, and was succeeded by Mr. William J. Hamilton, and under his direction the library is still further increasing its sphere of usefulness and to Mr. Hamilton the publishers are indebted for the story on the origin and growth of the library as above narrated. Judge Ora L. Wildermuth, who may be said to be the founder of the institution, is now its president, and Miss Ina Martin is vice president and Richard Hotchkiss secretary. The remaining members of the board of trustees are Mrs. William R. Brown, Dr. William Feder, A. M. Fisher and Mrs. P. W. Seyl.
The new librarian, William J. Hamilton, brought to the institution exceptional qualifications and experience which have been inestimable in increasing the value of the library to the community. His first experience was with the Minneapolis Public Library and then for two years with the New York Public Library. Later he was for two years assistant librarian in the Washington, D. C., Public Library, and for four years prior to coming to Gary in 1922 he was secretary of the Indiana Public Library Commission.
WHITING PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The formation of a public library in Whiting was agitated among various organizations but it was not until 1904 that formal action was taken to bring about the establishment of the institution and the first public library board was organized on November 17 of that year. The members of the first board were F. M. Gavit, president; Rev. C. H. Thiele, vice president; Mrs. Besse E. Fifield, secretary; Mrs. William Curtis, Mrs. A. D. Davidson, William Greatrake and H. J. Muffitt. They proved an excellent board of officials and their activities were so pronounced that on March 22, 1905, the library was opened in temporary quarters in the Peterson Block with 900 books on the shelves.
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Later the library was moved to the Putnam Block and there remained until the erection of the new library building on July 24, 1906. Fifteen thousand dollars of the cost of the building was a gift from the Carnegie Library Fund and $5,000 was secured by bonds issued to pay the additional cost of the building, which was located on Oliver Street near Ohio Avenue, on five lots, three of which were the gift of the Standard Oil Company. The adult circulation for the first nine months was 6,327 and the children's books 5,146.
Like in the other industrial centers of Northwestern Indiana the city has been generous in the support of the institution which on July 1 this year had an adult circulation of 40,601, a juvenile circulation of 37,017 and a circulation in the South Side School branch, open one day a week, of 8,107, or a total circulation of 85,725, which considering Whiting’s population is well above normal. Miss Ellen Schaefer was the first librarian and her assistants were Miss Florence H. Stewart and Miss Edith Langenhen. In the twenty-two years since the library has been opened there have been six librarians, Miss Schaefer being followed by Miss Florence S. Wing, Miss Helen V. Calhoun (now Mrs. G. Cash of Whiting), Miss Louise Randall, Miss Adah Shelly and the present librarian, Miss Hazel Long, whose assistants are Miss Helen Duggan, Miss Martha Fredenburg, Mrs. Oliver Campbell and Miss Elsie Binhammer.
The present library has a splendid reference collection, issues piano rolls and foreign books in ten different languages. It is closely correlated with the school work and a reading circle is carried on in the children’s department for the children of the fourth through the eighth grades, for which reading they are given school credit. The present library board is John M. Thiele, president; Mrs. R. E. Humphreys, vice president; H. G. Muffitt, secretary; Mrs. J. E. Brinker, Mrs. John C. Hall, L. C. Grubb and H. F. Lewis.
CROWN POINT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The necessity for a public library was apparent for many years before the Crown Point Library was established and on numerous occasions the subject was discussed in the press and at various club and society gatherings, but it was not until March 9, 1906, that concrete action was taken to formally organize a library association. The first library board were John Brown, Mrs. Julia R. S. Lenney, F. F. Heigh way, Mrs. W. A. Scheddell, C. J. Tinkham, Benjamin F. Hayes, Charles H. Meeker and Miss Tilly Beattie, and this active organization aided by many citizens and particularly by A. A. Bibler, editor of the Crown Point Register, conducted a campaign for financial assistance to inaugurate the institution and they achieved most gratifying results. Sufficient funds were realized by popular subscription to purchase a lot on South Main Street and aided by the
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Chamber of Commerce, which had succeeded the Business Men’s Association, the library board were next successful in obtaining a gift of $12,000 from the Carnegie Library Fund, and with this addition to their finances a beautiful library building was erected on the lot purchased and within two years after organization of the library board the Crown Point Library was formally opened to the public on February 12, 1908.
Eighteen hundred and fifty carefully selected volumes covering a wide range of subjects constituted the initial collection of books which has been added to year by year until it now numbers almost 9,000 volumes with a circulation this year of approximately 29,000. This does not include the circulation from stations maintained in the schools. The library sends a case of books every month to each of the rural schools in the two townships that levy a tax for the support of the library, thus in a small way extending library service to the country children who can seldom visit the library. In addition to its collection of books, fifty periodicals are regularly received by the library and it also houses in a room set aside for the purpose a collection of relics of pioneer days in Indiana which is owned and managed by the Lake County Old Settlers and Historical Association. Here may be seen Indian arrow heads, spinning wheels, candle molds, a cradle, a hackle and other hand implements used by the early settlers. The first librarian was Marie Hansen, who was succeeded in November, 1909, by Bessie Raasch, who remained for ten years.
Miss Raasch, who was a graduate of the Crown Point High School, had received her library training at Madison, Wisconsin, and later took the short course offered by the Indiana State Library Commission. It is largely due to her energy and ability that the library so rapidly developed into an institution of usefulness to the community. She resigned in 1918 and was succeeded by the present librarian, Miss May Burge, who after being graduated from the Crown Point schools attended Northwestern University and the summer school for librarians conducted by the State Library Commission. Miss Berg is assisted at the present time by Miss Mae Williams. The present library board consists of Albert Maack, C. J. Bruce, Joseph E. Brown, W. H. Keeler, Charles J. Millies, Clarence Quinn, Marvin Schmitt? Mrs. Blanch Scull and Miss Charlotte Wheeler. The library is supported by taxation and the city and Center Township have been generous in providing for its maintenance. As the library broadened its service to include Winfield Township the latter in 1921 joined Crown Point and Center Township in supporting the institution by providing its share of the taxes levied. The institution is well managed and its circulation attests its popularity and great value as a source of entertainment and instruction.
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HAMMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Hammond Public Library had its inception about 1902 in a private library maintained by the Shakespeare Club, composed of young women and men, many of whom were public school teachers. The Shakespeare Club’s library originally consisted of about fifty volumes and the circulation was confined to the members who were charged a small annual fee. Previous to this time the matter of a public library had been agitated but no concerted efforts had been made by any group of citizens to bring about concrete action on the part of the city. Through the efforts of the members of the Shakespeare Club in 1903, Hon. A. F. Knotts, then mayor of Hammond, became interested in the project and he appointed a committee of citizens to lay the foundation for a public library and a subscription of $2,000 was secured and the committee took over the small library of the Shakespeare Club.
In May, 1903, acting under the Indiana Library Law, Mrs. J. G. Ibach, A. Murray Turner and L. Becker, appointed by Judge McMahan of the Circuit Court; E. Scull and W. Burton, appointed by the Common Council of Hammond; Rena Ames and Dr. W. H. Howitt, appointed by the Board of Education, became the first Public Library Board. From that time a steady growth has been maintained and while most of the books were acquired by purchase many citizens were generous contributors, the chief and most noteworthy being W. B. Conkey. Year by year the number of volumes and the circulation increased and as an entertaining and educational factor its value to the community became recognized and it has been supported liberally by the city.
Early after organization the public library board secured a gift from the Carnegie Library Fund and a two story structure of cut stone with tile roof and furnished with modern library conveniences was erected in 1904 at a cost of S28,000. The library has two large reading rooms and a reception and business room for library officers and for their meetings. A section of the library was set apart for the Youchi collection of stone implements and other historical relics, which were secured for the library by Hon. A. Murray Turner and other citizens of Hammond. Jean L. Sawyer was librarian for eighteen years from 1906 until 1925, and was succeeded by O. C. Davis, who served until June 15, 1926. The present librarian is Albert R. Nichols, of Providence, Rhode Island.
The greatest service to the greatest number of people has been the ambition of the library board and that their efforts in this direction have been crowned with success is shown in the continued and steadily increasing patronage given to the institution. There are already five branches and three more are in contemplation, sites having been purchased at Robertsdale, Hessville and on the east side of Hammond, where the new
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branch library will be established. In order to give better assistance and service to the people Miss Johnson, of Oxford, Ohio, has been added to the library staff as a special reference librarian.
The library board has cooperated greatly with the schools in the past ten years and lately purchased an automobile in order to facilitate this work. Great credit is due to former Librarian Jean L. Sawyer in the upbuilding of the library and in recognition of her long years of service and the high standard attained by the library under her supervision the city council recently elected her a member of the library board. The number of volumes at present in the library is 42,555, and the circulation for the past year was 234,827, which is above the average circulation for cities the size of Hammond and the best proof of the popularity of the institution. The present library trustees are John V. Keeler, president; Rev. T. Claus, vice president; Mrs. D. J. Moran, secretary; L. L. Caldwell, R. G. Rupp, Mrs. W. H. Gostlin and Jean L. Sawyer.
EAST CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The origin and growth of the East Chicago Public Library is interestingly described in an article written for the East Chicago Chamber of Commerce by Frank H. Whitmore, librarian. In few cities have greater efforts been made to extend the field of library service as is shown in Mr. Whitmore’s story, and the great success which has attended these efforts and the remarkable record for usefulness in the short space of fifteen years must be a source of great satisfaction to the efficient librarians and trustees of the institution. We are privileged to quote from Mr. Whitmore’s story as follows:
“The idea of a public library as. an institution where books are merely accumulated and read by a limited number of people with leisure time has long since given place to the modern conception of the library as an educational agency for the widest possible distribution of books among the readers of a community. At varying points the library touches the needs of these readers and it has been repeatedly demonstrated that books have a practical every day value. An institution which a generation or so ago might have been regarded merly as one of the refinements of community life is now looked upon generally as one of the necessary accompaniments of civic well-being and progress. With a realization then of the practical and community value of a library public-spirited residents of the city, some seventeen years ago, set about to supply the need.
“The statement, however, that the East Chicago Public Library was established on March 1, 1909, does not suggest its interesting origin or the energy and enterprise of a small group of people, aware of the educational and socializing influence of libraries, who devoted their time to
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securing library facilities for the locality. And the perseverance and zeal which this company of people displayed was, perhaps, prophetic of the later civic and industrial development which is now everywhere apparent. The establishment of a public library not only provided centers for adult education and enjoyment, but gave this community a place in the widespread public library movement which had its inception in the formation of a national library association in 1876.
“The movement to establish a library started in 1908 with the efforts of Mrs. John D. Kennedy, then president of the Tuesday Reading Club, which later became the East Chicago Woman’s Club. The appointment of a committee by Mrs. Kennedy on December 1, 1908, to solicit books, was the first actual step toward the formation of a public library. In the early part of May, 1909, Mrs. Abe Ottenheimer suggested a “tag day” for the purpose of raising money to support the proposed library. Between S200 and $300 was raised in this way. On the same date Mrs. John D. Kennedy and Mrs. W. R. Diamond secured, in the form of subscriptions from business men, a sum between $500 and $600 for library purposes. The request for funds continued until August 3, 1909, on which date seven members of the Tuesday Reading Club, Mrs. John D. Kennedy, Mrs. Reese Williams, Mrs. Charles Fichter, Mrs. A. H. W. Johnson. Mrs. William Meade, Mrs. William Pulling, and Mrs. Edward Jacob, appeared before the City Council and petitioned for the passage of an ordinance authorizing a levy of one mill on the dollar, which at that time was the maximum levy. And so the project which was begun through the initiative of individual citizens became an official part of the city’s work.
“The first library board consisted of Mr. J. G. Allen, Mr. John R. Farovid, Mr. George W. Lewis, Dr. A. A. Ross, Mrs. John D. Kennedy, Mrs. A. H. W. Johnson, and Mrs. E. W. Walton. The organization of the board took place on September 16, 1909, by the election of Mr. J. G. Allen as president, Dr. A. A. Ross as vice president, and Mrs. J. D. Kennedy as secretary. The library in the East Chicago section of the city, then housed in the city hall, was opened for circulation on March 1, 1910, and the library in the Indiana Harbor section, with quarters over the fire station, was opened a week later. The first librarian to take office was Miss Anne D. Swezey, whose first report of the newly established library covered the period from September 16, 1909, to September 3, 1910.
“At the time of the opening the library began with a modest collection of 739 volumes, but the enthusiasm of its founders attracted to the library gifts of books to the number of 675 volumes in the first year, obtained the use of several traveling libraries from the Indiana Library Commission, secured friends for the recently established institution and opened up promising channels of service. The response, indeed, on the part of children was such a ready one that within the first two or three days of
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opening, the entire collection of juvenile books was in active use, an achievement which was an unmistakable evidence of genuine interest. At a later date, as shown by the figures for the year 1925, the circulation of children’s books is about double the adult total.
“Plans looking to the construction of library buildings were discussed on December 6, 1910, and as a result of the work of a committee consisting of Dr. A. A. Ross, Mr. John R. Farovid, Mrs. A. H. W. Johnson, and the librarian, Miss Anne D. Swezey, supplemented by later correspondence, Mr. Andrew Carnegie made a generous gift of $40,000, which was expended for the construction of two library buildings, one at the junction of Baring and Chicago avenues, in the western section of the city, and the other at the corner of One Hundred Thirty-sixth Street and Grapevine, now Grand Boulevard, in the eastern section of the city. The Baring Avenue building was dedicated, with extended ceremonies, on Friday evening, May 16, 1913, and the Indiana Harbor building on the following evening. The buildings then constructed, under the terms of the Carnegie gift, have remained in use to meet the needs of readers, with an addition to the library equipment in the shape of a branch library which was opened in Calumet during 1915. An extension providing a book stack and other needed space was later made to the Baring Avenue building and completed in 1925.
“After the important work of organization was completed Miss Swezey retired as librarian, and was succeeded, in 1912, by Mrs. Francis K. Byers, who continued as librarian for about ten years. During this period the library greatly extended its collection of books, added to its readers, introduced story hours for children, and took its place among the larger libraries of the state. In January, 1923, Mr. Orlando C. Davis, formerly librarian in Waltham, Massachusetts, took office as librarian and remained in service here until February, 1925, when he was appointed librarian in a neighboring city. During his period of service in East Chicago, Mr. Davis accomplished important basic work, coordinated the several branches of the library activities and introduced new and broadening methods of library service. The present librarian, Mr. Frank H. Whitmore, took office in February, 1925.”
During the years of the library’s development a number of citizens have freely given their time and interest as trustees in the supervision and direction of the work. The following citizens constitute the present board of trustees: Mr. Charles O. Geyer, president; Mr. Dana R. Cornell, vice president; Mrs. E. L. Reid, secretary; Mrs. Frank Callahan, Rev. W. T. McIntyre, Mr. A. G. Slocomb, and Mrs. J. R. Wallace.
With its present equipment, a book collection numbering 26,409 volumes and an appropriation of $38,000 during the present year, the library has sought to meet the needs of a constantly growing number of readers.
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Substantial book purchases are building up the collections and a circulation of 159,797 for the past year is evidence of a continuing and growing interest in a work which includes within its scope the needs of boys and girls of school age, men and women fitting themselves for business and occupations, the newcomer of limited acquaintance with American requirements and customs, and the skilled mechanic desirous of keeping in touch with recent devices and approved methods.
In a locality which is expanding rapidly both from the point of view of population and material assets and where great industries are centered it is impossible to overlook the important contribution which a library may make to community life or the field of library service which still awaits development.
The City of East Chicago from the inception of the library has cooperated generously in a financial way to widen the sphere of usefulness of the institution and the authorities have been prompt to respond in providing for its financial needs. In the first year of operation, 1910, the rate of levy for library purposes was one mill on the dollar, the total income amounting to $4,560.72. The total number of volumes in that year was 1,986, of which 1,350 had been purchased. The past year a higher rate of levy provided a substantial sum through the great increase in the value of East Chicago property in the past fifteen years.
At the present time the library is giving special attention to substantial book purchases so as to further build up and round out the collection of books, specializing in the fields of metallography, chemistry and petroleum, which represent the leading industries of the city. Emphasis is also placed on the purchase of books for readers in foreign languages, the development of work with the schools, a general extension and broadening of the library service by keeping in touch with the varied needs of the rapidly growing community which it serves and thereby make its work a great constructive civic force. The present librarian, Frank H. Whitmore, has as assistants in the Baring Avenue library building Miss Mary H. Harris, Miss Harriet E. Fletcher, Miss Emily M. Klueter, Mrs. Edith Omelvena; at the Indiana Harbor building, Mrs. Birdie Peters, Miss Lulu Funkehouser, and at the Calumet branch, Miss Josephine G. Andrews.
The group of leading citizens who have in a few years made East Chicago a wonder among industrial cities and who are directing her future destinies have never hesitated at all times in providing the best talent that can be had for its various city institutions and in obtaining the services of Mr. Whitmore as librarian they secured educational qualifications of the highest order and training and experience well fitted to develop the institution to meet the needs of this great industrial com-
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munity. Mr. Whitmore’s early home was in Gardner, Maine, where he graduated from the high school in 1895, and from Harvard College with a degree of A. B. in 1899. He then attended the New York State Library School, where he received the degree of B. L. S. in 1901. In the next four years he was assistant librarian at Bowdin College Library, and from 1905 to 1925 was librarian of the Public Library in Brockton, Massachusetts, the shoe center of the world. Since coming to the East Chicago Library in February, 1925, its activities have been broadened and directed along lines so it may become an educational factor of the greatest advantage to the varied needs of the community.
NAVIGATION OF
HISTORY OF THE LAKE AND CALUMET REGION OF INDIANA
FOREWARD
AN APPRECIATION
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I - Geology and Topography
CHAPTER II - The Mound Builders
CHAPTER III - Days of Indian Occupancy
CHAPTER IV - Early Explorations
CHAPTER V - Border Warfare
CHAPTER VI - Lake and Calumet Region Becomes Part of United States
CHAPTER VII - After Wayne and Greenville - Tecumseh and the Prophet
CHAPTER VIII - Indian Peace
CHAPTER IX - Early Settlements and Pioneers - County Organization
CHAPTER X - Townships - Towns - Villages
CHAPTER XI - Pioneer Life
CHAPTER XII - The Lake Michigan Marshes
CHAPTER XIII - Agriculture and Livestock
CHAPTER XIV - Military Annals
CHAPTER XV - The Lake and Calumet Region in the World War
CHAPTER XVI - The Newspapers
CHAPTER XVII - The Medical Profession
CHAPTER XVIII - The Bench and Bar in the Lake and Calumet Region
CHAPTER XIX - Churches
CHAPTER XX - Schools
CHAPTER XXI - Libraries
CHAPTER XXII - Social Life
CHAPTER XXIII - The Dunes of Northwestern Indiana
CHAPTER XXIV - Banks and Banking
CHAPTER XXV - Transportation and Waterways
CHAPTER XXVI - Cities
CHAPTER XXVII - Industrial Development
CHAPTER XXVIII - Chambers of Commerce
Transcribed by Steven R. Shook, December 2022