Time for another road trip, this time to a library I've used hundreds of times over the past 35 plus years.
On the grounds of the George F. Johnson Memorial Library in Endicott, New York stands a Japanese Pagoda Tree. These trees bloom in late August, unlike most trees in our area, which bloom in the spring.
The tree.
This may help give you a little scale.
Close ups of the flowers. These were taken August 18.
Entrance to the George F. Johnson Memorial Library.
 |
| I believe this is the house that used to sit on this property, owned by George F. Johnson |
Here's a little history: this library has existed since March of 1915, known originally as the Endicott Free Library. It was located several blocks from the current library. It moved several times before finding its permanent home in the current building in 1967.
The Endicott Free Library (later renamed the Ideal Home Library) operated one of the first bookmobiles (horse drawn) in the Northeast United States starting in 1916. It was a Ford flatbed truck used by someone else during the day. It became a bookmobile in the early evening using removable book shelves. If your community has a bookmobile today, it may well have been inspired by the Endicott bookmobile.
Eventually, the library was named for industrialist George F. Johnson, who died in 1948 but is still beloved in this area for his philanthropy. If you are old enough, you may remember Endicott-Johnson or Father and Son shoes. Here is a short history of the library and the population of immigrants and others it served.
After Mr. Johnson died, his homestead was purchased by the Village of Endicott. The current library sits on its grounds.
 | ||
| Mosaic, George F. Johnson Memorial Library |
Also joining Parul of Happiness and Food for her #ThursdayTreeLove.
...I'm looking out the window at our huge Japanese Pagoda Tree. It's just beginning to flower.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tree! That’s a neat looking clock.
ReplyDeleteOh, I do like that clock! And the mosaic. And, of course, the tree.
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful library
ReplyDeleteNice mosaic! My libraries tend to have sculptures, and the main branch has a lot of huge literary and inspirational, related to libraries, quotes on the walls. I am not familiar with that tree. Nice to have some flowers now.
ReplyDeleteSeeing a building such as these! Must have been awesome.
ReplyDeleteThe pagoda tree looks magnificent!
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteYou're really getting around to all these libraries. It must be so fun.
ReplyDeleteYe another new species for me! Lovely flowers. It seems a pretty big tree so must be quite old.
ReplyDeleteThis whole post encompasses old world charm, and old world values too.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tree and I like that clock.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tree and it felt so warm seeing the picture of it. I am so glad you shared, Alana. Thank you <3
ReplyDelete