Edwin Osgood Grover, Professor of Books, Rollins College The photograph was loaned to Winter Park Public Library History and Archives Department by Rollins College History and Archives Department. Click on the photograph to see a larger image.

In February of 1936, Mertie Graham Grover, wife of Rollins College professor Dr. Edwin O. Grover, was struck by an automobile and died as a result of that tragic accident.   Friends, including faculty and staff of Rollins College, as well as friends in the community, together with family members, decided to create a Memorial Library in her honor.   It was to be known as the "Hannibal Square Public Library - Mertie Graham Grover Memorial."

Edwin O. Grover and Rollins College President Hamilton Holt, February 22, 1932. The photograph was loaned to Winter Park Public Library History and Archives Department by Rollins College History and Archives Department. Click on the photograph to see a larger image.

A group, lead by Edwin Grover, who wanted to build the Memorial Library, asked City Commissioners if the City would donate a suitable site for the library building.   After discussion, Commissioners unanimously voted to designate Lots 8, 9 and 10, Block 44, owned by the City, for park purposes, and that lot 8 be designated as a site for the proposed library building, and that permission be granted for the construction of such a building on lot 8, which adjoins the present public school.   Lots 9 and 10 adjoining on the west, when drained and filled, would provide ground for a recreation center.

On April 29, 1937, Edwin O. Grover, Royal W. France, Eulalie O. Grover, W. E. Winderweedle, and J.L. Houston filed in the Circuit Court, Seventh Judicial Curcuit, Orange County Florida to form a not-for-profit corporation called Hannibal Square Associates, Inc.   Edwin O. Grover would serve as President, Eulalie, his sister, known for her "Sunbonnet Babies" and "Overall Boys" children's books, would serve as secretary.

The annual report of the Hannibal Square Library dated January 17, 1948 and signed by Edwin O. Grover, President. Click on the document to see a larger image.

Article II of the Articles of Incorporation stated: "The general nature of the object of this corporation shall be: to establish, own and operate a public library; to own and develop a recreation center and any other enterprise for the social and civic betterment of the Negro population of Winter Park, Florida; and to promote and encourage education and the attendance of the Negro population of the City of Winter Park at institutions of higher learning; to cultivate the artistic, scientific and literary tastes and aspirations of the Negro population of the City of Winter Park."   Hannibal Square Associates, Inc. was the enitity that held the property, built the library building, and operated Hannibal Square Public Library.

Mary Aldis, an artist and local resident, donated $750 toward a library building and student members of the Interracial Club of Rollins College raised $697 for the library building.

With land, money, and the Hannibal Square Associates, Inc. in place, work on a new library building began in the Spring of 1937.   Mr. Goodfellow, the builder, lived up to his name by doing the work at cost and completed an attractive concrete building for $1100.

Eulalie O. Grover and Opie Read(author and humorist) at "The Animated Magazine" on February 21, 1932. The photograph was loaned to Winter Park Public Library History and Archives Department by Rollins College History and Archives Department. Click on the photograph to see a larger image.

On July 1, 1937, Hannibal Square Public Library officially opened with about 1400 books on the shelves.   An Open House was held to introduce the community to the newly completed library.

Callie Colston was appointed Librarian and paid $12.50 a month.   She was on duty weekday afternoons 4:00 - 6:00; Monday and Wednesday evenings 7:00 - 9:00; and Saturdays.   In 1942 her salary was raised to $20.00 a month.   In 1943 Mrs.Tabitha Ray succeeded Miss Colston, who later became Mrs. Callie Colston Logan and Dean of Girls at Jones High School.

In the 1948 "Annual Report to the Friends of Hannibal Square Asscoiates, Inc.", it states that Mrs. Tabitha Ray was one of five Florida librarians that attended the "Annual Conference of Negro Librarians of the Southeastern States" held in Atlanta, Ga.   It is also reported that "she returned with fresh enthusiasm for her work in our local library."   The annual reports mention several times of Mrs. Ray's dedication and devotion to Hannibal Square Library and how on many occasions she would study and train on her own time and at her own expense.   An example is cited in the 1950 annual report.   "Mrs. Tabitha Ray, who has been its (Hannibal Square Library) librarian for the past six years, completed last summer a full year of training in Library Science at the Florida State College in Tallahassee, largely at her own expense.   She is now re-cataloguing the books in the Library according to the Dewey-Decimal System."

In 1955 a children's room was added.   It was made possible through contributions of time, labor and money.

In the early years many community groups used the library building as a meeting place and several trace their origins to Hannibal Square Library.

Children standing in the front of The Hannibal Square Library circa 1950. Click on the photograph to see a larger image.

In January of 1968 representatives from the Hannibal Square Associates, Inc. and the Winter Park Public Library Association met to continue the discussion of consolidating the two libraries in the interest of more efficient and economic operation.   Meeting on March 30, 1968, the president of the Trustees of Hannibal Square Associates, Inc. announced that "the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the dissolution of the Corporation, Hannibal Square Associates, Inc., owner and operator of the Hannibal Square Library, and distribute the Corporation's assets to the Winter Park Library Association, owner and operator of the Winter Park Public Library, of which the Hannibal Square Library would then become a branch ..."

A resolution to dissolve the Corporation was introduced, voted on and passed unanimously by the board of trustees.   A petition for the dissolution of Hannibal Square Associates, Inc. was filed in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, in and for Orange County, Florida.   The final order for the Dissolution of Hannibal Square Associates, Inc. came June 9, 1968.

In 1971 the Hannibal Square Library Branch became part of the Hannibal Square Neighborhood Service Center.   The Hannibal Square Branch Library closed in 1979 when a new library building for the City of Winter Park opened at 460 East New England Avenue.

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