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Gibbs Memorial Library - You Can Go Anywhere With A Book

Gibbs Memorial Library Buildings 1903-Present

Mexia Public Library was opened in 1903 in a 16' x 16' upstairs room in the Old Mexia City Hall. In 1922 the library moved to a new brick building at 505 E. Commerce, where it stayed for 26 years. On April 1, 1950 the renamed Gibbs Memorial Library was opened at 305 E. Rusk. Mrs. Mary Gibbs Jones dedicated the library to her parents and the library was built on their old home plot. From the beginning, the steel, concrete, & Indiana limestone building experienced structural problems stemming from the fact it was located on a geological fault line. A new building was built on the back portion of the same lot and opened June 1, 1975. A needed expansion was completed in October 1984 that houses an office, genealogy department and children's room.

Old Mexia City Hall
Old Mexia City Hall

Home of a 16' x 16' space that held the 270 books belonging to the newly formed Mexia Public Library.

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Mexia Public Library
Mexia Public Library

In 1922 the library moved to a new brick building at 505 E. Commerce, where it stayed for 26 years.

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Gibbs Memorial Library
Gibbs Memorial Library

On April 1, 1950 the Gibbs Memorial Library was opened at 305 E. Rusk. Mrs. Mary Gibbs Jones dedicated the library to her parents and the library was built on their old home plot.

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Gibbs Memorial Library
Gibbs Memorial Library

Architectural drawing

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Lobby
Lobby

Lobby of original building at 305 E. Rusk

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Gibbs Memorial Library, original building
Gibbs Memorial Library, original building

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Gibbs Memorial Library, original building
Gibbs Memorial Library, original building

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Gibbs Memorial Library, original building
Gibbs Memorial Library, original building

From it's beginning, the steel, concrete, & Indiana limestone building experienced structural problems stemming from the fact it was located on a geological fault line.

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Gibbs Memorial Library
Gibbs Memorial Library

Architectural drawing, 1973

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Gibbs Memorial Library
Gibbs Memorial Library

A new building was built on the back portion of the same lot and opened June 1, 1975.

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Front entrance
Front entrance

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Yard view
Yard view

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