Lapeer Public Library
Founded in 1859, the Lapeer Ladies Library Association gathered the community’s first collection of books for lending. The popularity of the collection led the Carnegie Foundation to offer ten thousand dollars to build a public library in 1916. In part through the efforts of Congressman Louis Cramton, a larger Carnegie grant was secured in 1921. The citizens of Lapeer provided the remainder of the funds needed to construct this Georgian Revival building.
Designed by the prominent Detroit firm of Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls, the library opened in 1923. In 1981 it was renamed to honor Newbery Award-winning children’s author and illustrator Marguerite de Angeli, who was born in Lapeer in 1889.
site number: L2069
era: Two Word Wars and the Depression (1915-1945)
year listed: 1999
year erected: 1999
