Phoebe Apperson
Hearst Library
A Brief History
Hearst Library
A Brief History
Hearst Free Library and Reading Room was presented to the City of Lead and it's citizens by T.J. Grier on behalf of Phoebe Apperson Hearst on Christmas Day, 1894. Over 1000 people from the city of Lead attended this gala affair, which included musical entertainment. The library's original collection had many foreign language books to accommodate the many ethnic groups, which made up the population of Lead. Some of these books still exist in the George Hearst Research Room.
The library was originally located in the Miner's Union Hall and was moved to the Hearst Mercantile building in 1896 until the Homestake Opera House and Recreation Center was completed in 1914. There it remained until 1984 when a devastating fire destroyed the Opera House. The library was temporarily located at 312 W. Main Street. Then in 1986, a fire broke out at the rear of that building, at which time Hearst Library was permanently moved to the current location at 315 West Main Street.
The City of Lead provides the home for our library and building maintenance. Operating expenses are funded by Lawrence County, City of Lead and donations. Through many trials and tribulations the Hearst Library has continued to serve the people of Lead and surrounding areas with quality service. Today, the annual circulation of materials is over 22,000.
