Morton-James Public Library

Story

The Morton-James Public Library is a library in the city of Nebraska City, in the southeastern part of the state of Nebraska, in the Midwestern United States. The building, located at 923 1st Corso, has been described as "a modest, yet fine example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture in Nebraska". In 1976, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.HistoryA variety of literary groups were formed in Nebraska City during the late 1860s, including the Young Men’s Literary Association, the Nebraska City Mercantile Library Association and the Round Table Club. These groups eventually consolidated, and in 1882 formed the Ladies Library Association. This association began fund-raising efforts to construct a public library.At the behest of Nebraska City resident J.W. Steinhart, Joy Morton (son of editor and politician J. Sterling Morton), agreed to finance construction of a library building if the city would provide the land and equip the library. The people of Nebraska City raised $2,950 for the purchase of land and fixtures for the library, and a building was designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style by Omaha architect George L. Fisher. Construction, from rock-faced brick trimmed in red-brown sandstone, began in 1896; the building was dedicated in 1897. The completed structure was presented to the city, and a Library Board was created to administer the operation of the library.