The Whiting Public Library - Part One “A Structure Forged from oil and Steel”

Anthony Borgo May 2023

Whiting’s beautiful Carnegie library owes its existence to the undying efforts of a small group of the city’s most prominent citizens. These individuals felt that the need for such an educational institution was pertinent to Whiting’s growth and development. Among those taking an active and passionate role in the formation of a library were: Mrs. A. D. Davidson, Mrs. William Greatrake, Professor Hughes and John C. Hall, then Superintendent of the Whiting schools.

The first steps toward a public library were taken during the summer of 1904. At this time, the Indiana Public Library commission was contacted in hopes of soliciting some help in the formation of a library. After receiving Whiting’s request, the commission sent Mercia Hoagland to address Whiting’s citizens.

On September 30, 1904, a mass meeting was held at the Goebel’s Opera House. Mayor Warwick opened the meeting with his favorable support of a public library. Then, Mercia Hogland spoke to a most enthusiastic crowd. At this meeting, Ms. Hogland outlined the organization of a public library, told how the city council could levy a tax of 1 mill on each $1.00 worth of taxable property for revenue and explained how the members of a library board were appointed. She also recommended that a committee of twenty-three citizens be appointed to consult with the Mayor and Councilmen in regard to having the taxes necessary to fund a public library.

Shortly after Mercia Hoagland returned to Indianapolis a committee was formed. The members were as follows: General Committee - Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Fifield, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. John Keller, John Schaub, Miss Lila Schoeneman, Fred J. Smith, Henry S. Davidson, J. D. Murphy, James Gill, E. B. Green, John Morrisy, Frank N. Gavit, Mrs. A. D. Davidson, Beaumont Parks, Dr. A. J. Lauer, Rev. Charles Thiele, W. M. Greatrake, and Charles Manbeck; Sub Committees - Ways and Means: F. N. Gavit, Fred J. Smith and Henry S. Davidson; Temporary Location: Fifield, Green and Lauer; Permanent Site Committee: Parks, Curtis and Gill; Publicity Committee: Mrs. Fifield, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Keller and Mrs. Curtis; Petition Committee: Murphy, Fifield and Green. The committee of twenty-three were successful in appropriating the necessary tax dollars to support a library. The committee secured a tax of 10 mills, which was voted on by the council.

Soon after the committee developed the necessary funds, a second meeting was held. The purpose of the second meeting was to select a Library Board of Trustees. At this meeting ballots were cast naming citizens recommended for the Library Board. The following Library Board members were appointed: F. N. Gavit, President; Reverend Charles Thiele, Vice President; G. H. Fifield, Secretary; and Mrs. William Curtis, Mrs. A. D. Davidson and Mrs. William Greatrake. After some time, Mr. H. G. Muffitt was added to the Library Trustees.

The Whiting Library Board held their first meeting on November 17, 1904. At this meeting, the board voted to write to Andrew Carnegie in regard to a gift for the funding of a library structure. After receipt of the letter Carnegie pledged to donate $15,000. The Library Board received a commitment letter from Carnegie on January 9, 1905. In addition to Carnegie’s generous gift the city council pledged $2,000 a year until the tax money was collected.

The projected cost of the library building was $20,000. Bonds totaling $5,000 were issued to cover the difference. Once the funding for the building was secured, the Board took up the issue of acquiring a building site. The Library Trustees turned their attention to another industrial giant, J. D. Rockefeller. The Standard Oil Company donated two forty-foot lots at the north end of Oliver Street, including the land between these lots and Ohio Avenue, to the city on which the library was built.

Meanwhile temporary rooms for the Library were rented in the Pederson block at the corner of Sheridan Avenue and 119th Street. At this time, the Board hired Miss Ellen Schaeffer as librarian. With the help of Florence Stewart and Edith Langenhan, 900 books both purchased and donated, were made ready for the shelves. By March, 1905 the books were cataloged, shelved and ready for circulation.

On September 11, 1905 Paul Moratz, of Bloomington, Illinois, submitted the plans for the library. The Board immediately accepted Moratz designs. Paul O. Moratz was among Central Illinois’ most prominent architects, who built up his legacy with bricks and mortar.

In October of 1905 work on the building site was begun. The Library Board hired John F. Rees to serve as general contractor. Like Moratz, Rees was a prominent, highly respected resident of Bloomington, Illinois. He was a contractor and builder of superior skill and reputation. He was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania on November 5, 1831. For several years, Rees devoted his time mainly to building structures for libraries endowed by Andrew Carnegie.

On December 2, 1905 the laying of the library’s cornerstone was held with the appropriate ceremonies led by the Whiting Masonic lodge. The cornerstone bears the inscription: “The Gift of Andrew Carnegie - A. D. 1905.” The city of Whiting threw a grand party marking the first steps in creating Whiting’s Carnegie Library.

Representatives from the school, city and community were all on hand to commemorate this event. Carriages containing Whiting’s most prominent citizens left City Hall on their way to the corner of Oliver Street and Ohio Avenue. The parade was headed by the Robertsdale band, which stopped by the public school buildings to pick up students and teachers alike. Once at the site of the future Carnegie Library, Library Board President, Frank Gavit provided some kind words about Andrew Carnegie and John D Rockefeller, without whose generosity the project would not have come to fruition.

Superintendent of Schools, John C. Hall then read the following list of items that were to be placed inside a copper box and laid into the cornerstone: a list of the Library Board, City Council, and School Board members; a copy of the minutes of the city council proceedings when an appropriation of $2,000 per year was made for the support of the library; a history of the Whiting Public Library by Mrs. Bessie E. Fifield; a copy of the Whiting Sun of Nov. 25, 1905; a copy of the Whiting News of Nov. 11, 1905, a twenty-five cent piece donated by Mrs. James E. Twitt; a card of J. J. Kelly; and a card of Al Gondon.

The program was then handed over to Mr. Schneiderwendt of the Whiting Masonic order. Ropes then lowered the cornerstone to its resting place and Mr. Schneiderwendt when, after finding the plumb, announced “The workmen have done their work in a most faithful manner.” After the laying of the stone, the Whiting Glee Club, accompanied by all present, sang a beautiful rendition of the patriotic song America. Reverend Howard of the Whiting M. E. Church then offered a prayer of benediction.

Miss Schaefer remained in Whiting for only one year. During Schaefer’s stay, 594 citizens obtained a library card, 1,506 books were purchased, and the temporary library had a total circulation of 14,473 books. Florence S. Wing succeeded Miss Schaefer as Whiting’s librarian in 1906.

During Wing’s first year the library moved twice, to the Putnam building located on the corner of Schrage Avenue and 119th Street in January and to the library’s permanent home on the corner of Oliver Street and Ohio Avenue. Under Florence Wing’s leadership the library’s circulation increased to 17,589 items. This increase may be a result of Wing’s visitation to area schools inviting children to join the library. In addition, she submitted notices of new book acquisitions to the local newspapers.

The Whiting Public Library opened its doors to the public on July 31, 1906. The beautiful new structure was housed on the corner of Oliver Street and Ohio Avenue. The building was constructed of red Illinois hydraulic pressed brick with trimmings of Portage Entries Quarry Company's stone. The roof consisted of green tile shingles. The building was designed in the Romanesque style of architecture, with its tower representing the most prominent feature.

The structure was a one story building with a basement finished for use. The whole main floor was finished in sycamore, while the basement was finished in birch. The library furniture was of golden oak, which was furnished by the Library Bureau. The building was heated by steam and lighted by electricity and gas. The floors were carpeted with cork carpet, except the vestibule and delivery room floors which were covered with rubber tiling. The walls were painted in greens and creams.

The entrance of the library opened up into a large rotunda, which lead to a vestibule and then the delivery desk or circulation desk. To the north of the rotunda was the adult reading and reference room. After some time this area was converted to a students study room. The large room served as a children’s room until 1926. At this time the room was transformed into an adult reading room.

Behind the circulation desk was the main book or stack room. The book room contained 6 double-faced steel stacks furnished from the Art Metal Company. All of the books for the adult readers were stored in the book room. The reference books were housed in the north tower room. Likewise, the children’s story books were stored in the south room off of the rotunda. Two smaller rooms opened off the main stack room, one was used as a Board room and the other one was the staff work room.

In the basement there were three rooms besides the boiler room. The smallest room was used as a storage room for the unbound periodicals. The other two rooms were used as an auditorium and as a clubroom. For many years the Whiting Woman’s Club held their monthly meetings in this room. In the winter months the library sponsored lecture series which were held in auditorium. In addition, the lower level housed a men’s smoking room. Magazines and books of interest to men were found in this room, where the male patrons could smoke if they wished.

The Whiting Public Library was originally opened for circulation every day except for Sunday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. However, the library’s reading room was opened on Sunday from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. The room contained several newspapers and magazines. Anyone who obtained the signature of a Whiting tax payer was allowed to check out books.