13 Oct detailed exterior photographic survey of walter holbrook’s williams free library (1890-91) located in beaver dam, wisc.
October 13, 2026
in Bldg. 51, Events & Announcements, Featured Posts, Miscellaneous, Travel, Uncategorized
detailed exterior photographic survey of walter holbrook’s williams free library (1890-91) located at 105 park avenue, beaver dam, wisconsin.
designed by walter holbrook of the milwaukee firm edward townsend mix & co., the williams free library is a prominent richardsonian romanesque landmark in beaver dam, wisconsin. local businessman john j. williams launched the project with a $25,000 donation. its rusticated limestone and sandstone exterior features romanesque arched windows, a square tower, an octagonal turret, and an intricately carved chimney. inside, carved woodwork, high ceilings, and stained-glass windows reflect victorian craftsmanship.
it was the first u.s. public library to use an open-stacks layout, allowing patrons to browse shelves directly. founded in 1884 as the beaver dam free city library, it initially occupied a room in city hall. in april 1890, williams offered $25,000 for a new building if the city purchased the site. on april 15, the common council approved $12,200 to buy adjoining lots at park avenue and spring street from w.h. and t.d. lawrence and joseph wagner. holbrook, working for edward townsend mix & co. in milwaukee, completed the plans in may 1890.
construction began in july, and site preparation was complete by august. mayor e. elwell declared a half-holiday for the august 26 cornerstone ceremony, led by the local masons. material delays slowed construction, but the building was completed in july 1891 and dedicated on july 15 during beaver dam’s semi-centennial celebration, which drew thousands. the library opened september 1, 1891, with mary j. doolittle as its first librarian and 4,500 volumes. after her death in 1897, her sister hattie succeeded her and served for 47 years.
by 1979, the collection had reached 52,608 books, and the building could no longer accommodate the growing library and city. a new facility opened on north spring street as the beaver dam community library on march 4, 1985. the original building was preserved and now houses the dodge county historical society museum.
