Way Back When

 The Thorp Courier  --   August 30, 2006
 

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.