PUBLIC LIBRARY – A basement room in the library, which had been used to store magazines and books, was remodeled in the summer of 1967. The City Council provided $5,000 for material and labor, and contributions of $1,769.96 were received from patrons. Most of the contributions were memorial gifts, with the money being used for furnishings. A new entry was provided on the west side of the building. Children's books were moved to the new room, which was dedicated August 27, 1967.
Plans for remodeling the basement to provide more adequate space for an archives room were developed in 1973. The plans also called for new shelves and for redecorating both the basement and the main floor. The City Council allotted $22,000 of revenue sharing funds for the project, but the final cost was about twenty per cent higher because of the continued increase in material and labor costs. The deficit will be covered from sales tax receipts. The project was completed in late April, and on April 28, 1974, an open house was held to officially open the redecorated facility to the public. It is now an attractive building with new carpet and draperies and many new furnishings.
The El Paso Library became a member of the Corn Belt Cooperative System in January, 1966, greatly increasing the number and scope of materials available to El Paso patrons. Pictures, records, and tape recordings are also available.
Following the resignation of Mrs. Mildred Burster as librarian in 1970 (the Bursters moved to Jackson, Mississippi), Mrs. Robert Mayne, Jr. became librarian and served until August 2, 1971. Mrs. Dwight (Reba Burroughs) Roth then became librarian. She is assisted by Mrs. Merval (Mary) Byerly and Mrs. George (Margaret) Dressler. Robert Gilliland is chairman of the Library Board, and Mrs. Betty Kelsey is secretary- treasurer. Board members are Mrs. Georgine Baker, William F. Kitchell, H. E. Reckling, Mrs. Max Lemon, Philip Mullvain, and Walter Pfister.
CLUBS – The El Paso Golf Club was organized in 1920, and for two years members played on the old El Paso Fairgrounds, site of the present athletic field at the high school. On June 1, 1922, they leased the Preston Rutledge farm at the northeast corner of El Paso, on which they laid out a nine-hole course. A large screened porch was added to the house to provide space for dinners, luncheons, and card parties.
In September, 1923, the group purchased 60 acres from the Henry Krug estate, located four miles south and one-half mile east on Wolf Creek. The porch was moved from the Rutledge farm and a kitchen and restrooms added, creating a new club house. The deed was received March 19, 1924, but a grand cleanup had taken place the previous October when members cleared out some damaged trees and much of the brush along the creek. The club opened June 5, 1924.
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