The last time we drove into Dexter (population 631) from White Pole Road, we were met by this beautiful stucco building. How refreshing!
This is how the building looked most recently, although the building next to it has been torn down.
It began as a two-story building, with a doorway where the beautiful corner window is today. in 1938 it became a WPA job, to have the top floor removed and the materials used to create a town library and community hall below.
My grandparents, Clabe and Leora Wilson, raised their family in Dexter in poverty during the Great Depression. Clabe worked part time WPA jobs when he was chosen. The library job was his last one, when he was hired to run a farm near Minburn.
This was the local library when I was growing up. The bench in front of the library remembers the five Wilson brothers, my uncles, who grew up in Dexter during the Great Depression and who served in WWII. (Their sisters were Darlene Scar and my mother, Doris Neal.)
They wanted the bench there because when they weren’t open, kids would sit on the sidewalk to take advantage of the library’s wifi.
More history of the Dexter Library, with photos of the original building and clippings about the WPA remodel.
A small town with a large feeling of responsibility to their people.
I think they secured a grant for it, but what a difference it makes! Just in time for Dexter Fest this weekend!
Enjoy!!
The building turned out beautifully, made even better with the memory bench for the Wilson brothers!
Especially with the connection with their dad’s job there long ago.
Yes!
Very cool, Joy! I’m pleasantly surprised that a town the size of Dexter has a library. You might appreciate that one of the fellows I read to at the assisted living center where I volunteer served in World War II. He likes to tell everyone that the Germans were some of the nicest people, while acknowledging how evil Hitler was.
The history of the library is in the link at the end of the new post. It started out in a lawyer’s office and my mother, about 11, checked books out. A young doctor’s wife helped get it started. She later became my piano teacher! Oh, many Germans didn’t want anything to do with Hitler! And many of our ancestors came from Germany–mine so they wouldn’t have to serve the kaiser!
Looks excellent, Joy. Thanks for sharing
Thank you, John. We go out there for haircuts, just across the street from the library!
They did a good job there!
We were amazed at the difference. Thanks, Andrew.
The library bench honoring the Wilson brothers is a wonderful tribute to them. That’s quite an improved transformation of the Dexter Library. Hopefully, there are lots more books in there! 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. Last time I was in the library, I was very impressed with what they’ve done with a small space. The windows to the left are a community room.
Nice transformation and a lovely tribute bench out front.
Thank you, Eilene. I just remembered that they wanted the bench there because kids would sit on the sidewalk when they weren’t open in order to use the library’s wifi!
I remember the Dexter Library well. Checked out books occasionally. Once in a while they would sell “overflow books” by the boxful. Several times Dad took advantage of the sale and brought lots of books home. Several were for learning business math and I did all the exercises before junior high. I read many of the others. Each fall, in the library, the businessmen in town hosted an oyster soup/chili dinner to thank the farmers. With 3 brothers, I only went 2 or three years. All the chili, crackers, and sweet pickles I could hold! Great memories.
Bob, you need to start your memoir! Your grandkids would sure treasure it! Business math before junior high. Wow! That community room? They held a Valentine dinner and dance for junior high kids. I just remembered that wore a red velvet jumper and white blouse.
Well……..cousin Bob did not attend the dance! I also get an occasional haircut from Dennis Simpson when I’m in the area. The “gone” building south of the library and a door or two north of the bank, I can’t remember what that was. Roy Evan’s, funeral director and clothing store east, across the street, south of barber shop, The Rusty Duck, and the Dexter Museum, was instrumental in organizing the dinner for farmers each year. Years after Uncle Donald, I climbed the nearby water tower when I was about 13/14. I think I mentioned that in an earlier comment. I surely hope non-local readers don’t find my chatter boring!?
Blohm’s grocery. They were Dad’s aunt and uncles so that’s where we got groceries, at “Aunt Martha’s.” Uncle Don did it with you? I’ve never heard that story. Well, Uncle Del started it during their junior year!
No, I meant Uncle Delbert and his “class rivalry stunt” was decades earlier. Blohm’s, yes and I forgot Isenburg,s Drug Store in the row across Marshall Street.
I tasted my first cherry coke in Isenberg’s, cost a nickel!
It looks nice with the stucco finish.
Yes, what a facelift, huh!
It looks beautiful! The memory bench is wonderful!!!
Thank you, Linda. Dexter Fest is this weekend so they completed it just in time to show it off.