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The Auld Public Library


category : Historic Buildings
The Auld Public Library The Auld Public Library, 1917-1918, is a gift of William Thomas Auld, uncle of Jessica Cather Auld's husband, J. W. (Bill) Auld. Jessica was one of Willa's younger sisters. He gave the city of Red Cloud $20,000 in early April, 1917. On April 9th, Dr. Robert Damerell, then Mayor of Red Cloud, selected nine individuals to serve as members of the first Library Board and charged them with the responsibility of selecting and purchasing a site, choosing an architect, erecting a building, and purchasing fixtures and books for a new library. Prominent among that group of citizens was Charles Cather, father of Willa. The building was constructed at a cost of $15,500 and formally opened on March 8, 1918. Later that same year, Willa Cather's My Antonia was published in October and World War I ended in November.

The library houses 10,000 volumes and has a good children's section. The library is Red Cloud's most recent addition (1993) to the National Register of Historic Places.


Hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Friday and Saturday afternoons 2-5 p.m., Thursdays 2-7 p.m.
Address: 402-746-3352

Come visit us in Red Cloud, Nebraska

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Willa Cather's Childhood Home

World Famous author, Willa Sibert Cather (1873-1947), moved with her family from Virginia to the Red Cloud area in 1883. Nebraska became what Cather later described as "the happiness and the curse of my life". The state'

Red Cloud, NE Famous Homes

Red Cloud City Park

The Red Cloud City Park offers a variety of activities for persons of all ages. Facilities include outdoor fireplaces, tables, a shelter house, restrooms, playground equipment, swimming pool, and tennis courts. Restaurants and electrical hookups for campers are nearby.

Red Cloud, NE Parks

Webster County Historical Museum

Housed in a beautiful classical revival style mansion, the Museum located on West Highway 136, depicts the rich heritage of the early settlers of the county during the late 1800's and into the early 1900's. This 21-room, stately home built in 1907

Red Cloud, NE Museums

The State Bank Building

The State Bank Building, 1883, with its entrance on the diagonal, is made of native brick and was one of the first brick buildings in Red Cloud.

Red Cloud, NE Historic Buildings

Red Cloud Post Office Murals

One of only twelve public buildings in the state of Nebraska which commissioned murals for its lobby, Red Cloud Post Office houses three works by the western artist, Archie Musick, 1941.

Red Cloud, NE Arts

Things to do Historic Buildings near Red Cloud, NE

The State Bank Building

Starke Round Barn

First United Methodist Church

The Auld Public Library

Kearney Junior High School

Located in Kearney, this Neo-Classical-style building was constructed in 1925 to1926. It is a good and intact example of an e...