The city's first public library was constructed with a posthumous gift from Frederick H. Cossitt, a successful dry goods wholesaler. The city donated the land, and the unique red sandstone building was dedicated on April 12, 1893. Although the front portion of the building was pulled down in the late 1950s due to structural concerns, the rear portion of the building (nearest the river) is still in use today.

For more information, visit Cossitt Library's page on the official website of the Memphis Public Library & Information Center system.

In the 1950s, just before the front section was pulled down due to structural concerns.


The caption from this 1950s/1960s postcard reads:
COSSITT LIBRARY, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.  Original Memphis Public Library, now used as a reference library, is located on the bluffs overlooking the mighty Mississippi

Click to enlarge. Bluff City News Co., Memphis, Tenn

The modern new library was constructed in 1959.

The caption from this 1950s/1960s postcard reads:
Cossitt Library, Memphis Public Library System, 33 South Front.
Cossitt Library houses the reference and research collections of the Memphis public library system, and also the downtown circulating library. Three miles east of the business district is the Main Library, at McLean and Peabody. Seven branch libraries serve the residential areas.  More than a half million volumes are available.  Special departments are offered for business, science, industry, genealogy, and music.

Click to enlarge. Bluff City News Co., Memphis, Tenn

2000s

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