LibGuides: History of the Law Library of Louisiana: Locations

Location Descriptions

It is difficult to ascertain the exact the locations of the library in the 19th century, because it is never specifically mentioned. Sometimes the "library" was housed in a room, or scattered about stairs and halls. The early State House was actually composed of a group of buildings. The State House moved many times, as did the library. In 1870, elected officials fought over and even filed numerous court actions over prime office space in the State House. Street names changed. Most of the buildings mentioned were demolished long ago.

References are sometimes made in journals or newspapers, and these cannot always be verified.

1846 Baronne street, opposite No. 8

1850 Report of Sec. of State Gayerre. Books packed up by librarian and sent to room in new state Capitol in Baton Rouge.

August 1862 Library moved from State Capitol in Baton Rouge to City Hall in New Orleans

Report on the State Library by the Secretary of State. ... 1865.

"When I first took possession of the Library, about the 1st of April, 1864, I found the books lying in different rooms, in vast piles, there being no place provided with shelves whereon they could be placed. At the same time, those rooms being needed by the city, the acting Mayor, Hoyt, ordered them to be thrown out in the hall, where they remained until a temporary room could be fixed up for their reception. This room is a thoroughfare for all persons passing to the top of the City Hall, and is continually open, and workmen having been employed for months in repairing the building, the books are covered with lime and dirt, and rapidly going to decay." Carrigan

"The departments at present containing the books are totally unfitted for the purpose, and it is hoped that our enlightened Legislative body, soon to meet in solemn assembly, will make early, and. due provision for such an important object. There are suitable apartments in the University buildings, on the corner of Baronne and Common streets, well adapted to the purpose, and which could not materially interfere with the arrangements of that institution ; but, on the contrary, might be of great convenience and utility to both professor and student." Carrigan

REPORTS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE STATE LIBRARIAN TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. 1867

By June 1866 book removal complete, from City Hall to Mechanic's Institute, where they lay scattered on the floor. Lastrapes then classified and arranged them. SOS Hardy proposes moving them to University building, corner of Common and Dryades Streets, which was then being prepared.

"On the 1st of June, 1866, when I first took the direction of this Department, under your immediate supervision, I found it in a most distressing condition. Twenty-one thousand four hundred and thirty-eight volumes, promiscuously thrown, were lying in vast heaps on the floor of this hall almost obstructing its entrance." Lastrapes

"This hall is totally inadequate to the purposes of this Library. In case of fire or other emergency, the means of access and egress would be so difficult that all attempts for its preservation would be vain and futile. It may not be inappropriate to suggest, respectfully, that it be moved, at an early day, to the University building, on the corner of Common and Dryades streets, in which there are apartments suitable and well adapted for the purpose." Lastrapes

Report of the Secretary of State and State Librarian, January 1870

1869 "the Library occupied a room in the building at the corner of Conti and Royal streets. The room was small, and shelving insufficient." Bovee

1870 January "at the corner of Common and Dryades streets. It here occupies almost entire, the second and third stories of the building appropriated to the use of the Law Department of the State University. The rooms are very commodious, liberally supplied with elegant shelving and other fixtures, and in all respects as pleasantly located as could be desired." Bovee

1870 "two extensive document rooms and a large and commodious library room proper. The latter is supplied with shelving made of cypress wood and ornamented with black walnut, arranged after the model of the library of Congress; has a gallery, easily accessible, extending the entire circuit of the room, and this gallery is likewise furnished with shelving of similar kind with that below." Ball

Report on the State Library by the Secretary of State. 1870. Law University

"At the time I entered on my duties as Librarian, January 1, 1870, I found the Library in its present desirable locality, in the Law University. The building being adjacent to the one in which the sittings of the Legislature are held, is thus convenient to the members of the General Assembly. The central position in the city, too, makes it very accessible to the public. The rooms in which the books are contained are well lighted and ventilated, but almost totally deficient in furniture. The alcoves are, in themselves, well constructed, but could be improved, and the security and preservation of the books insured by having glass doors attached." H.S. Ball

1894 May 14 "The building now occupied as the State Library will probably have to be vacated at no distant day, and it is advisable that the General Assembly should look to some future location." Adams

1896 "The building now occupied as the library, beside being in a dilapidated condition, is held only by the generous tolerance of the Trustees of Tulane University, and subject to removal at any time. The State should secure an ample building, conveniently located, for its library, making it a collection of valuable information for the professions, and attractive to the literary visitor as well." Adams

"My last report contained such a full statement of the condition of the library—which met with no response—that it is with a weak heart I have aught to say now. I can only say this: The condition, if anything, is more deplorable. We are sadly in need of help and recognition from the State." Taylor

"The condition of the old building was such that in the removal all of the books on one side could not be transferred at one time, because too much reduction of weight on any one side would have resulted in a complete collapse. On three different occasions during the removal it was necessary to shore up and brace the building with heavy timbers to prevent this." May 1, 1998 Michel

Under the agreement of sale of the building on University Place by the Board of Administrators of the Tulane fund to Mr. Grunewald, approved by Governor Heard in 1903, the Library was moved to this place--Johnson building, Baronne and Union streets, New Orleans, where we now occupy the second and third floors.

The present location is a decided improvement in respect to convenience of lawyers and patrons generally: better ventilated, better light, and no dampness whatsoever. [April 30, 1906]

May 1 1902 Tulane Hall

1908 March 1 report by sec state: STATE LIBRARY. As reported by me in 1906, the State Library was then and is now located in the Johnson Building, Baronne and Union streets, New Orleans. This removal, made in 1905, was in accordance with the agreement of Governor Heard and Mr. Grunewald, signed in 1903, and under said agreement, the latter bound himself to, and did furnish a building for the State Library, free of charge or expense to the State, to the 1st of July, 1906. The General Assembly of 1906 failed to make any provision for the payment of the rent of the building from July 1st, 1906, and there is now due to Mr. Grunewald rent at the rate of $200 per month from July 1st, 1906, to September 30th, 1907. From October 1st, 1907, there is due, rent to Mrs. A. J. Stallings at the same rate, in accordance with lease made by your Excellency, of date the 6th of June, 1907, to the 30th of September, 1909. I am advised by the President of the Court House Commission in New Orleans that he expects the new Court House now in course of construction will be completed and ready for occupancy by the first of October, 1909. Therefore the General Assembly must make provision for payment of past due rent to Mr. Grunewald and to Mrs. A. J. Stallings, of rent past due and to become due. Provision must also be made for the cost of removal from present location to the new court house in October, 1909. The report of the State Librarian and of the Insurance Department of this office will be submitted to you separately, and speak for themselves. Respectfully, JOHN T. MICHEL, Secretary of State.

STATE LIBRARY. We are still indebted to the Board of Administratiors [sic]of the Tulane Educational Fund for the location of the State Library in the rooms of the Tulane Hall on University Place, New Orleans. The quarters are small, dark, poorly ventilated and totally unsuited for the purpose of a library. While the zealous and persevering efforts of the Librarian has succeeded in making these rooms comfortable, and convenient as the circumstances permit, 1 must again call your attention to the fact that these quarters were tendered for the use of the library only temporarily, until the State could make other arrangements; the letter tendering us their use, so stated, and ‘reserved the right to sell or lease the property should the opportunity at any time present itself after October 1st, 1898. It is, therefore, urgent that some steps be taken at this time looking towards the permanent location of our State Library, as we cannot expect the Tulane Administrators to forever hold these rooms at our disposal. May 1, 1900 Sec State report

1882: Legislature moves from NO back to Baton Rouge. Lawyers petition governor McEnery to leave the books of the State Library at the west wing of Univ. of Louisiana buildings in NO. Needed for Supreme Court. Already a library in BR that the legs can use. Pp. 152-153 House Journal