| It's
not likely you'd drive to Yoakum to check out books. Even if they let you, It's
even less likely you'd make the return trip, which is why they didn't let you
have them in the first place. But
forget books, because our interest in the Yoakum Library is the building in which
it's housed. It's the old City Electrical Plant, built in 1931,
and saved from demolition by wise and thinking Yoakumites.
It's a charming building, with a matching librarian. Virginia Ferrell will
celebrate her 25th Anniversary with the Yoakum Library in May of this year.
The structure reminds us of Charlie Chaplin's workplace in Modern Times, but here
there's no danger of getting caught up in pre-OSHA machinery. There's lots of
brick, though, and industrial gray painted steel, mostly in the form of huge girders
and cross beams. If your visit finds them closed, you can view the interior through
the front door. The
building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has
a plaque from the Texas Historic Commission as well. It has received the
Downtown Association's Award for Best Adaptive Use of an Existing Structure
(1991), and now it has even been recognized by us. The
1930's Industrial Architecture included lots of skylights, and this one runs the
entire length of the building. The horizontal crane now sits immobile over the
children's section, dangling a good 2 tons of chain, much to the delight of young
readers, who no doubt dream of it coming loose and crushing someone they don't
like. Ms. Ferrell
oversees a photo library of the restoration, and several framed vintage photos
show the old power generators in place. Some of the photos are fading, however,
because of that damn skylight. Bigger was better in 1931, and the behemoth generators
probably generated enough power to light every 40 watt bulb in town and still
have enough left over for the toaster in the mayor's office.
The Yoakum Library is named after Carl and Mary Welhausen, local
philanthropists who not only gave the lion's share of donations, but donated the
very book we were in search of. We have a feeling there were many more. Ms.
Ferrell gave us directions to other Yoakum sites, drawing maps on the back on
old card-catalog-cards. This reutilization of discarded paper reminds us that
librarians were recycling before recycling became chic ("cool" for our younger
readers). The
Library is located just southeast of downtown on Front Street. Hours: Monday through
Friday 9:00 to 6:00. 361-293-5001
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