History

The first library in Wabeno, Wisconsin was originally 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 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 the postage. The librarian, Gertrude Hentzman, 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, having been built in 1923. Additional freestanding shelves and table in the center of the room were added later.

In 1993, the building was added to the National Register of Historical Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

-Compiled by Margaret Stauffer and Russ Mallow

Becoming a WVLS Member

In 2019, the Wabeno Public Library became a member of the Wisconsin Valley Library Service system.

Town of Wabeno Public Library

4556 N Branch St,
PO Box 340
Wabeno, WI 54566

Hours

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Thursday

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Contact Us

(715) 850-3044
director@wabeno.lib.wi.us