Latta Library: A Carnegie Library
Andrew Carnegie was born in Scotland in 1835 as the Industrial Revolution was sweeping across Great Britian. Seeking a better life his family arrived in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania while Andrew was a small child. From a bobbin boy in a cotton mill Carnegie rose to steel magnate becoming one of the richest men in the world.[ Picture included] Following the sale of his steel company to rival JP Morgan, Carnegie, not believing in charity, set up the Carnegie Corporation to help those who wanted to help themselves. He stated that " the man who dies rich dies disgraced." During the remainder of his life he gave away in excess of $350 million for the creation of over 2,500 libraries and for higher learning.
Latta was one of thirteen communities in South Carolina to receive funds from the Carnegie Corporation for new libraries which were built between 1905 and 1920. The Latta Public Library opened in 1914 and is only one of five remaining in the state still in operation as a public library.
The movement to create the library in Latta began in 1911 and was led by WC Allen a local businessman. Once the conditions for the Carnegie Corporation funding were met the town received $5,000 for the building and CF Bass donated the land. The building was later expanded with a rear addition and wing on the north to meet the growing needs of the community. Dillon County completed extensive renovations of the Library in 2005. Friends of the Latta Library provide financial assistance for ongoing support.
Marker is on West Main Street near South Marion Street, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
