Atlanta Library Dedicated 114 Years Ago

The Atlanta Public Library was dedicated on March 28th in 1908.

The octagonal-shaped building was designed by architect Paul Moratz from Bloomington, Illinois, and constructed by Joseph A. Reichel from El Paso, Illinois. All eight sides are symmetrical, except for the front.
The Library building was built on land donated by Seward Fields, a native Atlantan and a former Library director. Mrs. Martha Harness Tuttle donated $4,000 to the project (over half the funds necessary to complete the building) and local residents provided the remaining capital. Building, furniture, fixtures, and grading brought the final cost of the structure to around $9,500.

A reception and “book shower” was held from 2pm-8pm on Saturday, March 28th, 1908 to allow residents a look at the new library. A total of 225 new books and $20 in donations were added as a result of the “shower”. Later in the evening a public meeting was held at Murphy Hall with music by the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra, with speeches by Chairman John L. Bevan, Rev. R. A. Hartrick, Rev. E. J. Thomas, Rev. R. V. Callaway, A. E. Church, and Frank Hoblit. Judge James T. Hoblit delivered the principal address.