Albertson Public Library Blueprints

On February 21, 1922, the city of Orlando held a bond election for funds to build a public library and other municipal improvements. The vote was 155 against and 446 in favor!

PLANS APPROVED – BIDS SOUGHT

The May 13, 1922, Orlando Morning Sentinel announced that bids would be sought in two weeks.

SEEK BIDS ON NEW LIBRARY IN 2 WEEKS
Bids will be advertised for the new public library building probably within the next two weeks, it was announced yesterday by Mayor Eugene G. Duckworth at the close of a meeting of the library committee of the Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

The plans were finally approved by the committee yesterday with the exception of two minor changes which can be made without difficulty by the architect Murry S. King. Mrs. A. B. Whitman, representing the Sorosis Club, and Mrs. C. W. Goodrich of the Rosalind Club, met with the committee and added their approval to the outline of the building.

Blueprints will be prepared immediately, Mr. Duckworth said, and when they are finished sealed bids for constructing the building will be received from contractors.

PERMIT GRANTED

The permit number 578 for the construction of the City Library at 165 East Central Avenue on the North West Corner of Central and Rosiland [Rosalind], to be constructed by C. C. Hanner of steel and concrete for the price of $73,500 dated August 8, 1922, is noted on the back of the blueprints for the Albertson Public Library. View all the blueprints under Images below. The lot at Central and Rosalind was purchased in 1919 by Mayor Duckworth in anticipation of one day building a library on that spot. A copy of a warranty deed dated May 11, 1920, indicates that the city swapped property in order to secure the land needed for the library.

Architectural drawings for the construction of the Albertson Public Library dated August 9, 1922, created by architect Murry S. King, provide a detailed look at the exterior elevations and interior systems of the library.

Exploring the detailed blueprints that identify the interior spaces allows you to use your imagination and visit the old Albertson Public Library once again. View all blueprints under Images below.

C. C. Hanner Awarded Contract

The Evening Reporter Star broke the news on August 30, 1922, that the construction firm of C.C. Hanner was chosen to build the Albertson Public Library to be built on the library lot at a contract cost of $73,500. The August 31, 1922 Orlando Morning Sentinel stated:

The public library building must be completed by February under the terms of the contract entered into between C. C. Hanner, a local builder, and the city commissioners yesterday. Mr. Hanner’s bid of $73,500 was the lowest received by the city… Mr. Hanner expects to begin work on the library building immediately as it will be necessary for him to proceed with his plans with the slightest possible delay in order to complete the building within the time specified. The formal contract was signed yesterday afternoon at city hall. The building will be erected on the library property at Central and Rosalind avenues.

The Albertson Public Library

The 1923 booklet created for the opening of the library includes this description:

The library building is of the Greek Doric style of architecture, the simplicity of which is in keeping with the dignity and beauty of the structure. Eleven broad white steps lead to the entrance on the main floor, which opens into the delivery room. Here the decorations are harmonious and tasteful, the designs being Greek throughout… There is an abundance of natural light, as the windows are large, and extend almost to the ceiling… The glass floors permit the light to penetrate from one floor to another…

This is one of the many descriptions of the old Albertson library:

The Albertson Public Library was a fine, limestone building with four tall Greek Doric columns topped with a carving of draped Grecian figures. Eleven broad white steps led up to the entrance and a long low wall along Central Avenue was covered with trailing lantana. Just inside the tall doors, a large skylighted rotunda added to the natural light admitted through large windows reaching almost to the ceiling. If you stood directly under the dome, you could see the head librarian — first Miss Brumbaugh, then Miss Wendel — in her little office on the balcony over the first floor.

According to February and March 1925 board minutes, the electricity bill for the electric heating system, installed when the building was constructed, was costing a fortune and members were investigating other options. The 1928 and 1929 annual reports for the Albertson Public Library do not mention anything about the addition of steam heat for the library, but blueprints were drawn up on April 27, 1928 for the “Dunham Heating System” which employed radiators – perhaps considered by the board as a possible replacement for the electric heating system. Additional blueprints for this project are under Images.

Learn more about the beginnings of the Albertson Public Library!

Click on one of the images below to begin the slide show. Right click on a slide show image and either “open in new tab” or “save image” so you can increase the size to read all the details!