Libraries Pratt Baltimore

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Welcome to the Kilduffs page for older Baltimore City Pratt Library branches. Kilduff's is not intended as a history of the Pratt System, but a casual look at the old Branches that can be found around Town. ....
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Central Branch - The old Central Branch of the Pratt was located on Mulberry Street, between Park and Cathedral. Built in 1886, the Central Branch was built along with 4 smaller branches ( below ) around Baltimore City, located in what was then the Northwest, Southwest, Southern and Eastern parts of the City. The four branches were all uniform in construction, and each branch had about 4000 volumes to loan out. The main ( Central ) Branch had over 28,000 volumes , although at the time, the books were not on the open shelf system of today. The dedication of the old Central Branch took place at the Academy of Music on Howard Street in 1886.
By 1888, a fifth branch was opened, soon followed in 1896 with the opened of Branch six, a few months after the death of Enoch Pratt. The Woodberry branch was opened around 1901, Branch #7, a gift from Mr. Robert Poole, which had been a library he and others had established in 1886. Around 1900, a gift from Andrew Carnegie of $500.000 went into the building of more branches. The plans at the time were to built a library within walking distance of everyone in the City.
In 1908, Francis A. White made a gift of the Walbrook Branch ( #8 ) . Between 1908 and 1921, 15 more branches opened around the City , courtesy of Andrew Carnegie. The old Central expanded into three old homes on Cathedral Street at this time. By the time Branch 23 was almost done, funds from Carnegie ran out. The City had to come up with the money to complete the job. The open shelf system was also put into effect in the 1920's.
................. Baltimore old Central Branch Pratt Library

Baltimore old Central Branch Pratt Library

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Central Branch - " New " building. Opened on the site of the old Central, in 1933.

...................................... Baltimore Central Branch Pratt Library Circa 1935

........................................... Baltimore's Central Library

................... Branch Central Baltimore 1935

Branch 1
1101 N. Fremont
Church

...................... Baltimore Pratt Library Branch one Fremont Avenue

Branch 2
1401 Hollins Street
Offices

.............................. Baltmore Pratt Library Branch 2 Hollins Stree

Branch 3
Light and Gittings

.............................. Baltimore Pratt Library Branch 3 Gittings and Light Streets

Branch 4
Ellwood & O'Donnell

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Caton Branch Baltimore Pratt Library Ellwood Street

Branch 5
816 North Broadway
Church

...... Baltimore Pratt Library Branch 5 Broadway

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Baltimore Pratt Library Broadway Branch 5

Branch 6
2521 St Paul Street
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.......... Baltimore Pratt Library Branch 6 St Paul Street

Branch 7
3641 Falls Rd
Library

............................. Baltimore Prat tLibrary Branch 7 Falls Road Hampden

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Branch 8
Clifton & Hilton Street
Postcard view

A converted church , Branch 8 was replaced by a newer building on North Avenue , West of Bloomingdale. The older Branch 8 has long since razed.

................ Baltimore Pratt library Branch 8 Walbrook

Branch 9
Towson Street
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( Later ) Fort Avenue & Decatur
< at a nearby school >

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Branch 10
A small branch located on Gay Street. Not sure if it's still standing, still working on this one.

Branch 11
4 South Central
built 1921 - currently a residence.

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Baltimore Prat Library Branch 11 Central Avenue

Branch 12
Barre and Carroll
Built 1909
Church

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Baltimore Pratt library Branch 12 Carroll Street

Branch 13
Linwood and Fayette
Still a Library .

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Baltimore Pratt Library 13 Linwood Street

Branch 14
Garrison and Galloway
Built 1909
Still a library

Baltimore Pratt Library , Branch 14 Garrison Blvd

Branch 15
1443 Gorsuch Avenue
No longer a library.

........... Baltimore Pratt Library , Branch 15 , Gorsuch Avenue

Branch 16
2610 Keyworth Avenue
Built in 1912
Church

............ Baltimore Pratt Library , Branch 16 Keyworth Avenue

Branch 17
2217 West North Avenue
No longer a library.

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Baltimore Pratt Library , Branch 17, West North Avenue

Branch 18
2001 Wolfe Street
built in 1916
still a library

............................... Baltimore Pratt Library , Branch 18 , Wolfe Street

Branch 19
606 South Ann Street
Built in 1922
Offices

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Branch 20
3006 Hamilton Avenue,
Built in 1920
Offices

................................... Baltimore Pratt Library , Branch 20 , Hamilton

Branch 21
Smith and Greely ( Mount Washington )
Built in 1921
Business

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Library Mount Washington Branch Baltimore

Branch 22
Govans Branch
5714 Bellona Avenue
Built in 1921
Library

............................................................... Baltmore Prat Library , Branch 22, Govans

Branch 23
300 Patapsco Avenue
Razed- branch replaced -
Many Thanks to Bonnie for the picture !
............................................................................................... Pratt Branch 23