History

The first library in Wabeno, Wisconsin was actually a room set aside in the town hall in 1921. The collection of books was not very extensive, and a Traveling Library from Madison was depended on for an assortment of reading material. The librarian at the time (Gertrude Hentzman) would take a wagon to the depot and get the books from the freight train, and return them the same way. At that time, no money was allocated for supplies, but the one-cent-a-day fine for overdue books was used for postage. Gertrude had a salary of $100 per year.

In the 1890’s, the Chicago Northwestern Railroad Company built a log cabin in Wabeno to use as their land office. When it was no longer needed in 1923, it was donated to the Town of Wabeno to be used as a permanent library. The building is a one-story, one-roomed structure measuring approximately 29 ft. by 21 ft. The floor-to-ceiling book shelves, which occupy all of the outside walls, are original to the library. Additional freestanding shelves and table in the center of the room were added later.