Fredericksburg Memorial Library facts for kids
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Pioneer Memorial Library
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Fredericksburg Memorial Library
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 Fredericksburg Memorial Library
Location in Texas
Fredericksburg Memorial Library
Location in the United States
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| Location | Courthouse Sq., Fredericksburg, Texas |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1881 |
| Architect | Alfred Giles |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000935 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 11, 1971 |
The Pioneer Memorial Library is a special building in Fredericksburg, Texas. It's located in Gillespie County, Texas, in the U.S. state of Texas. This historic building was designed by a famous architect named Alfred Giles. It was built way back in 1882.
This building was first used as a courthouse, replacing an even older one from 1855. Later, in 1939, a new courthouse was built, and this building found a new purpose. Today, the first floor of the library is for kids, with the Children's Section. The second floor has books for adults, a special Texas Room, and newspapers and magazines. The building is also called the McDermott Building because of generous donations from Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott that helped restore it in 1967 and 1984. It became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1967 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
Building the Library
The library building was designed in 1882 by architect Alfred Giles. He designed it in the Romanesque Revival style. This style often uses round arches and strong, heavy stone. Giles was a busy architect who designed many courthouses in Texas. Some of his other courthouse designs include those in Brooks, Live Oak, Presidio, Webb, and Wilson counties. He also designed parts of the Kendall County Courthouse.
Gillespie County leaders hired Giles in November 1881. They paid him $1,000 for his design. The building was made from local limestone. The main stone came from Dietz Quarries, and the special trim stone came from John Dechert Quarries in Luckenbach. The builders, John Heinen and James A. Courtney, constructed the building for about $23,000.
Restoring the Library
After a new courthouse was built in 1939, this old building was used for different things. Over time, it started to fall apart and was in very bad shape by 1963. Luckily, it was saved! In 1967, the building was restored to become the home of the library. This restoration was made possible by a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott. Eugene McDermott was a founder of Texas Instruments and a kind person who donated a lot of money to good causes in Dallas.
Eugene McDermott passed away in 1973. However, the library received another renovation in 1984. This time, Mrs. McDermott helped again, and the community also raised money to match her donation. Thanks to these efforts, the Pioneer Memorial Library continues to serve the community today.
