Muskegon Historic District
The library in 2014
Hackley Library is located in Michigan
Hackley Library
Hackley Library is located in the United States
Hackley Library
LocationMuskegon, Michigan
Coordinates43°14′3″N 86°15′5″W / 43.23417°N 86.25139°W / 43.23417; -86.25139
NRHP reference No.72000647[1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 27, 1972

The Hackley Library is a historic library in Muskegon, Michigan. It was a gift to the school board from lumber baron Charles Hackley to the City of Muskegon Public Schools and opened in 1890. It is listed on the Michigan Register of Historic Places.[2] The library is at 316 West Webster Avenue. The library also owns the historic Torrent House across the street where genealogy records are housed.[3]

Perspective map of Muskegon from 1889 with inset image of the Hackley Library in the upper right hand corner, middle picture

The Library is supported by the Friends of the Hackley Public Library.[4]

The Hackley Administration Building is nearby at 349 Webster Avenue and is also named for Hackley. It is owned by Muskegon Public Schools. It was built in 1889[5] and efforts are underway to preserve it.[6]

Torrent House

Torrent House

The Torrent House is a 31-room mansion built in 1891-1892 for $250,000 for lumberman, alderman, justice of the peace, and 3-term mayor of Muskegon John Torrent (1833-1915). Torrent owned mills in Muskegon, Manistee, Ludington, Whitehall, Traverse City and Sault Ste. Marie. The residence has also housed a mortuary, hospital and been a local Red Cross headquarters. It was purchased by the city of Muskegon in 1972 to preserve it and avoid demolition. It is located at 315 West Webster Avenue. A Michigan Historical Marker is on site.[7]

Renovations

A $1.2 million interior renovation and restoration project took place in 2014.[8] A major renovation of the library including ramps for access, air conditioning system work, and energy efficiency improvements was undertaken in 2016.[3]

Most of the library's funding comes from a mill tax.[8]

Architectural features

The library features Louis Millet stained glass windows. The library used to get electricity from Hackley's sawmill. When it was not operating gas was used to light the library.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ↑ "About the Library". Hackleylibrary.org. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Work on new Hackley Public Library entrance part of $3.2 million in improvements". Mlive.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  4. ↑ "My Site". Friendsofhackleypubliclibrary.org. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Muskegon school district asked to sell Hackley administration building". Wzzm13.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  6. ↑ "With eyes on preservation, Muskegon tackles future of Hackley Administration Building". Rapidgrowthmedia.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Home Page - MichMarkers". Michmarkers.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 "Hackley Public Library set to celebrate $1.2 million in improvements". Mlive.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.

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