Mark Twain Library: Once A Community Hub, Now A Memory
On the corner of Gratiot Avenue and Seneca Street in Detroit once stood the Mark Twain Branch Library.
It opened on February 22, 1940, and quickly became a beloved part of the community.
This Art Deco gem was designed by famous architect Wirt C. Rowland, known for his Art Deco skyscrapers.
Mark Twain Branch Library: a lively hub for the northeast side of Detroit
The Mark Twain Branch was the third regional library of Detroit.
It was a significant upgrade from the small neighborhood libraries of the time.
The library housed over 20,000 books.
It was more than just a place to borrow books, it also served as a vibrant community center.
The Mark Twain Branch Library hosted a range of events from Boy Scout meetings to musical performances and lecture series, becoming a social hub for Detroit’s northeast side.
Twain closed in 1997 for renovations that were never completed
In the 1990s, Detroit faced severe financial problems.
The city’s economic downturn led to the closure of many library branches, including Twain.
The Twain branch reopened briefly for two days a week but shut down again due to its poor condition.
In 1997, it closed for roof repairs, but the work revealed a host of serious problems, including asbestos and structural damage.
These issues complicated and delayed the repair process significantly.
The library remained closed.
The library was closed in December 2011
Residents grew frustrated as the library stayed closed, and promised repairs never seemed to happen.
Millage campaigns raised funds for repairs, but little progress was made.
By 2008, plans to move the library to a new location were discussed, and by 2009, the building was in visible decline with broken windows and a leaking roof.
In December 2011, the Detroit Public Library announced the permanent closure of the Twain Annex and a few other branches.
The library was demolished later that year.
Today, only an empty lot remains where the library once stood.
Here are some pictures of the library after the demolition
