Arley, AL, Library

While at Hidden Cove RV Park in Arley, AL Mom decided to do some family history work by photographing gravestones for findagrave.com which has the largest gravesite collection in the world with over 180 million memorials documented. Many of these records don't have actual photos of the gravesite. Sometimes a person doing genealogical research will request a photo. Other times memorials just need a documenting photo so it's there when someone is doing research. Mom said this would give her something to do.

During her research she visited Arley Public Library. Upon entering she noticed a tile floor and walls in the foyer that had people's names on them. She found this interesting and inquired what it was for. She was told that the old library was just a small trailer. Then Arley decided to build a real library and did a fundraiser where people could purchase a tile for a donation. The effect is quite unique.

Tiles on one wall at Arley, AL Public Library

This is the history of the Arley Library: "When a tornado destroyed the Carl Elliot Library in Jasper [AL] in April, 1974, they offered to set up a branch library in Arley if the town would furnish a librarian and a house for it. The Town Council was involved in getting the water system set up and asked the Women's Club about making the provision for the library. They decided to try to make the arrangements even though a great deal of financing was needed. Since there was no building available, the decision was made to have a trailer built that would be suitable. A plant at Addison agreed to build one for $2900 without the lights. Dolphus Smith said he would give the lights. Since the plant requested cash, the women had bake sales, road blocks, donation request and other fund raising activities. We had only $800, so about a dozen women signed a note and borrowed $2100. Dorthen Wadsworth allowed us to set the trailer up on his lot indefinitely or until he needed the lot. A trucker brought the shelves and books from Jasper and the Club got William Knight to install the shelves. The books were catalogued and shelved. The Club hired Peggy Hyatt to work six hours a week as librarian. Later, they were able to get free help from two ladies who were on Federal Work programs. After their time expired, the Club was given the services of Beulah Fincher who was also on a Federal Work program. She is now paid by the town council. The council has also paid the utility bills and the per capita fee all along, but the Club has paid the insurance, repair bills, and the expenses of any added equipment. The library is an asset to the community. Since the library was opened for public use in September, 1974, it has served hundreds of people throughout the local area as well as the surrounding areas."

A 2nd wall

The library floor in the entryway

Thought you'd like to know a little about the lake we were at in Arley. Hidden Cove RV Campground is on the shore of Lewis Smith Lake which is actually a reservoir created by the Lewis Smith Dam. One of the largest earthen dams in the eastern US, it stretches 2200 feet in length and reaches a height of 300 feet. The lake is located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River and covers 21,000 acres. Being the deepest lake in Alabama it has a depth of 264 feet. It has over 500 miles of shoreline. It was a bit on the cool side for the 2 weeks we were at Hidden Cove and rained much of the time so we didn't get to enjoy any water activities, which is fine with Mom since she's very much a landlubber. But I've heard that the temperature of the lake in the summer averages 80 degrees. I would have surely liked to take a dip in that!

Till next time,

--Cruz