History:
On the southwest corner of the public square in McLeansboro, Illinois stands the McCoy Memorial Library building. Its architectural style is awesome, majestic, inspiring, and beautiful. Camera buffs immediately recognize its wonderful photogenic potentialities.
Originally constructed as a private dwelling, it was later willed to the city of McLeansboro to be used as a public library. It was constructed in the year 1884 by Aaron G. Cloud as a family residence. Mr. Cloud, a banker, constructed his bank building immediately to the north of his dwelling on an adjacent lot. This latter building has housed banking facilities without a break since it was first established. The two buildings are similar architecturally.
Mary E. Cloud, one of two children, inherited the residence at her father's death. Subsequent to her father's death she married Chalon Guard McCoy. No children were born to this union. She survived her husband by some six years. Mrs. McCoy herself was a woman of letters, an accomplished artist, and above all an individual imbued with a sense of service to her fellow beings. Inside the building may be seen some of her paintings.
Her will specified that the building become the property of the City of McLeansboro. She further set up an endowment fund to assist in its upkeep. The will further provided that the city formally accept the building according to the terms laid down, and annually levy a library tax. Further that the city institute a governing body to administer the affairs of the library. This was done by the adoption of City Ordinance Number 57, empowering the Mayor to appoint a governing board of nine members, serving three year terms, without pay.
As a final gesture, this good and gracious lady sought to publicly perpetuate the memory of her parents. The last provision of her will decreed that a copper plate commemorating the city's acceptance of the building be securely fastened to the outside wall, between the two windows, on the circle front.
Intended as a tribute to her parents, it is nonetheless a testimonial to her unselfish devotion to posterity.
