Hallettsville
​Public Library

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Marker No: 18118

Aluminum 27 x 42 Subject Marker 

Geographic: ​29° 26.688′ N, 96° 56.241′ W

Location: ​705 East Fourth Street, Hallettsville

Marker Text: As early as 1893, the citizens of Lavaca County expressed an interest in establishing a county library. In September 1932, two local citizens, Mrs. Harvey Renger and Miss Evelyn Lacy, organized a rental library known as the “Library Nook” to supply the people of Hallettsville with the best books at the lowest cost. The nook was open every day in the East Building across from the East Hotel.
     In 1937, the Hallettsville Reading Club was founded by ten local ladies who shared their love of books. In January 1937, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) agreed to furnish the labor to help care for a local library. In February 1938, members of the Reading Club appeared before the Chamber of Commerce offering the help of the Reading Club in securing a community library. The chamber voted to contribute $1.50 per month for one year. The Rotary Club sponsored the library, the community supplied the books and the WPA hired a librarian to catalog the books.
​     On June 9, 1938, the Lavaca County Library officially opened to the public in a small room in the old Hallettsville City Hall (now the volunteer fire department station). The library continued under very meager resources and was able to offer services to rural schools. In the early 1960s, the community recognized the financial difficulties the Reading Club faced in operating the library and responded with support. On March 20, 1966, the Friench Simpson Memorial Library was dedicated and opened to the public. The library was named for Friench Simpson (1848-1923), local lawyer, banker, author, state senator and the father of J.H. Simpson, Sr. (2015)