Library: a place you went to get information before the Internet existed…read more
The Walker Branch, built in 1890, is the oldest structure owned by Chicago Public Library. I'm so glad a previous reviewer posted a photo of the exterior, thank you.
This was the library I used when I was in high school. There are so many stately old homes & buildings in the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhoods that, at the time, I didn't appreciate the historic significance of my library. To me, it was just one more building like all the others I was accustomed to seeing.
One of my close friends lived in an 1800's Victorian in Morgan Park. To us, it was just a nice big house. Big enough so that a bunch of girls could hang out there, in an upstairs parlor, without Penny's parents bugging us.....because, looking back, I doubt they were even aware of our presence.
I recall being in a Frank Lloyd Wright house in Beverly. Being unfamiliar with the architect, I remember thinking how unusual the place appeared, with all the built-ins. Sounds like I shoulda spent more time at the library.
But I actually did spend a lot of time at this library, doing research for school papers. Remember, there was no way to look up anything online. You had to find it in books. First you had to find the books. If somebody got to the library ahead of you & checked out the books you needed, you were S.O.L. (poop outta luck). Up the creek without a paddle. Scared you gonna flunk.
I remember the library closed early in the evenings, like maybe 8pm. It was closed on Sundays & holidays. Problem.
Because in order to get to the books you had to get to the library. Walker was the closest library to my house at the time but still kinda far to walk, impossible in frigid winters/snowstorms.
I graduated high school when I was 16 so had no driver's license during most of my H.S. years. So I had to find a ride to get to the books. Or "borrow" my mother's car, which I did once when I was 15. I drove to the library in a '59 Impala convertible....with the top down. I remember wearing sunglasses to disguise my age. But I had the damn top down & even drove around the neighborhood a bit, like a hot-shot, hair blowing in the wind.....on my way to the library.
I didn't get caught. I only did it once.
I did know how to drive, btw. Most kids did know how before they were legal. And not many cars on the road back then, not anything like now. I didn't even see another car that day I drove to the library, a disappointment because I'd hoped a friend might notice me.
So yeah, although I didn't appreciate architecture, I sure did appreciate a massive white convertible with big fins & a turquoise interior. Kudos to Mom.
These days, I appreciate the Internet. I still love books and libraries but more for pleasure than for research.
At Walker Library one time I had to do research for a paper on Marshal Ferdinand Foch. I was selected to read my paper to the class. Had the teacher not introduced me with the pronunciation of "Foch" as fosh with a long O (although I've since heard it pronounced fawsh)......well, that woulda been embarrassing cuz I thought it was fahk.
If I'd gotten caught in that convertible I woulda been foched, per my incorrect pronunciation.
Walker Branch Library, creator of stories & source of good times, I'm glad your historic, 128-year-old walls can't talk.