Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library

History

The Fortville-Vernon Twp. Public Library opened its doors July 3, 1918, on the corner of School and Church Street in downtown Fortville. The building was one of the last Carnegie Libraries built with funding from the Carnegie Foundation Corporation. One of the top Fortville merchants at that time, Arden H. Thomas, provided the Fortville library with his private library consisting of books, pamphlets, document, along with shelving. He also donated his Emerson Piano for the Assembly Room in the basement. In December of 1955, the basement was converted into the Children's Riley Room for children's books and programs.

In 1986, a new Fortville Library was opened where it currently sits at the corner of Broadway & Madison Street. The new building was originally owned by ECOFF Trucking. The old Carnegie building is now used as a Food Pantry sponsored by the First United Methodist Church.