The history of the library dates back to the beginning of De Smet. The Loftus Store was perhaps the first lending library in town. The photo below is of Main Street facing southwest. The Loftus Store is labeled.
Mr. Loftus was a well-known merchant of De Smet and he valued books. These books were part of the lending library at the Loftus Store and are now part of the society’s artifact collection.
The Mother’s Club helped to establish a lending library in 1926 by contacting the South Dakota State Library for help. Advice was given, and residents and club members made the first book donation. The books were circulated from members’ homes, but by 1928, this method was replaced with a library corner in Brewer’s Variety Store. The photo below is also of Main Street facing southwest. This photo shows the Golden Rule as the fourth building from the right. It is believed that this building was the Brewers’ store at one time.
During the days of the Great Depression, the library expanded. The library took residence in then, new City Hall, in August, 1937. The library would remain in this location for thirty-one years.
By the 1960’s, the library had outgrown the City Hall location. Donation of land by two prominent families of De Smet and private donations started a move to build a new library in the present location. This was the site of the railroad park. Construction was completed in 1968. The library was dedicated as the Hazel L. Meyer Memorial Library.
The library has long been recognized as a repository of history. Five original Harvey Dunn paintings adorn the walls. Dunn was an illustrator and painter of the pioneer west and he grew up in nearby Manchester, South Dakota. He was well known for his prairie paintings that showcased the South Dakota weather, seasons, farming, and pioneer way of life. Unlike most painters of that era, Dunn painted both women and men of the early west. Just inside the door, visitors can see many original artifacts of the Wilder Memorial Society. The De Smet News is also available on microfilm.
This post is part of a series: A Virtual Tour of “The Little Town on the Prairie.” If you are new to the series and would like to start at the beginning of the tour, please click here!