Old City Library

Standing at the corner of First Street and Sirrine, this building once housed the community’s original public library, a cornerstone of early civic life. Built during an era when towns were rapidly expanding their public services, the library served not only as a place for books, but as a genuine neighborhood gathering space.

The structure typically featured solid masonry construction, often in a Classical Revival or early 20th-century civic style, with tall windows that allowed natural light to flood the reading rooms. Visitors would have seen a modest front entryway, sometimes framed by simple columns or stonework, leading into a quiet interior lined with wooden shelves and reading tables.

For many years, this library was one of the few places where residents could access newspapers, reference materials, and community programs. Its location—just off Sirrine, close to the heart of downtown—made it easy for students, shopkeepers, and families to stop in on their daily routines.

Although the library eventually moved to a larger modern facility, the original building remains a reminder of the community’s early commitment to education, literacy, and public life. Standing here, you can imagine the steady stream of people who once passed through its doors in search of knowledge, connection, and a cool place to read on a warm afternoon.