Information on:

Hawkeye Public Library

104 South 2nd Street
563-427-5536

History

In 1897, on a day so ordinary that record was not made of it, Charles W. Bopp, president of the Bopp Brothers State Bank, placed a few books from his personal collection on a shelf on the rear room of the bank and made them available to the public. The popularity of this project led him to suggest to the city council that a city-owned library be established. To this end, Bopp donated $500 in cash to the city for the purchase of books.

The matter was approved by the citizens of Hawkeye, and on January 4, 1898, the library was organized at a meeting held at the bank. A nine-member library board was appointed, and the first librarian, Mr. A. Ridley, was selected. He served at a salary of $25 a year. The library was open only two days a week for two hours each day.

The Hawkeye Free Public Library, as it was known at the time, was the first free public library in Fayette County.

Hawkeye Public Library is not affiliated with AmericanTowns Media