Fairhope Single Tax Corporation
Fairhope Single Tax Corporation Renovation
of the Historic Fairhope Public Library Building
The Fairhope Single Tax Corporation (FSTC) has begun renovation of the historic Fairhope Public Library building at 10 North Summit Street. Upon completion, the building will house FSTC administrative offices, corporation meeting space and the FSTC Archives. The project is expected to take approximately one year to complete.
“The Fairhope Public Library building is part of our community’s unique history,” said Lee Turner, President of the FSTC. “The Fairhope Single Tax Corporation is pleased to renovate it to serve a useful purpose for another century.”
The library building was constructed in 1908 by FSTC as a larger and permanent building for Fairhope’s library (which had been established in 1900). It is the first building to be constructed specifically for use as a public library in the State of Alabama. The original building was a small 16’ x 24’ one-room library. Additions in 1919, 1924 and 1951 provided more room for shelving and office space. The 1974 addition of a large meeting room expanded the types of services which could be offered.
FSTC leased the building to the City of Fairhope from 1964-2022 for continued use as the library, and later, for classrooms and administrative space for Faulkner State Community College and the University of South Alabama-Baldwin County. When the building was vacated in 2022, the City of Fairhope returned the lease to FSTC, opening the opportunity for the renovation.
FSTC is pleased to renovate this historic Fairhope building, preserve its unique architecture, and restore it for use as a productive space.
About the FSTC:
The Fairhope Single Tax Corporation is the founding organization of Fairhope. The community was established in 1894 to demonstrate the practical application of the single-tax theory by building a model community. Today, the FSTC is a 501(c)(4) corporate nonprofit land trust that owns and leases approximately 4,400 acres to over 3,600 lessees whose land rents are used to fund projects which benefit the lessees and the greater Fairhope community. Visit the "More" Tab, above for more information about the FSTC and funded projects.
Timeline of Structural Changes - Old Fairhope Public Library Building
By Catherine King
The Fairhope Single Tax Corporation supported the Fairhope Public Library from 1900 until 1964 when the Library’s contents and administrative oversight were transferred to the City of Fairhope. FSTC leased the building to the City at no charge from 1964-2022 for continued use as the Library, and then as space for area colleges. FSTC owns the property and the improvements of 10 North Summit Street – the Old Fairhope Public Library Building.
1900: Fairhope Public Library opens in Mrs. Marie Howland’s house on Magnolia Avenue.
1908: 16 x 24’ Fairhope Public Library building opens on FSTC property to the west of Howland’s house.
1919: Addition of west gallery room running across front of original building, new entrance and a second large room to the south (this room is currently the front entrance room).
1925: Addition of rooms to the south: a) another room with fireplace the same size as the 1919 addition, b) west gallery room running across the front mimicking the 1919 gallery on the north side, c) room with windows and French doors on the southeast, and d) storage/office rooms to the east of the addition described in (a).
1951: Large room added to the east/rear of the 1919 large room addition. This space is currently divided by a wall with the front room. It was originally a very large open space.
1964: FSTC transfers Library contents to the City of Fairhope; FSTC leases building to City for continued use as the Library.
1974: Addition (on north side of 1951 addition) of a meeting room, kitchen, hallway, small patio and bathrooms.
1983: Fairhope Public Library moves to the City Hall complex, and the City of Fairhope leases the building to Faulkner State Community College (now Coastal Alabama Community College) for a time. University of South Alabama-Baldwin County Campus leases the building for administrative and classroom space until approximately 2020, when the building is used infrequently by the City of Fairhope.
2022: Lease of Building returned to FSTC from the COF.
Fairhope Public Library in Marie Howland’s Home. To the immediate east of the Old Library Building.
Picture from the Fairhope Courier 1901.
1908 - The Original Library.
To the immediate west of Marie Howland’s Home.
1919 Addition
1919 Addition
1925 Addition
1925 - South Side with the Howland Window
Photograph by Frank Stewart, The Picture Man, of the Fairhope Public Library c. 1925. The building had recently had a new addition built on the south side, just in time for the Alabama Library Association annual meeting in April 1925. Mrs. Mary Heath Lee, Librarian from 1921-1930, has written information on the back of the picture.
The Edward and Marie Howland Memorial Window is visible in this picture. The window was commissioned to honor the Howlands' contribution of the fine classic classic collection of books - the nucleus of the Library.
1974 Addition - Large meeting room and small patio
Picture c. 2014
Fairhope Single Tax Corporation Economics and History Course
The Fairhope Single Tax Economics Course is a 11-week class that is used to help educate our citizens on the Single Tax Theory, Land-Value Taxation, historical aspects of the Fairhope Single Tax Colony, and the current benefits of the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation today. Class is taught in the late summer/fall, one night a week. The Course is a requirement before applying for membership in the Corporation.
Our Instructors, George Gilmore and Oliver Gilmore (no relation)
Check out the FSTC Archive Committee's online Archives!
Check out the FSTC Archive Committee's YouTube Channel!
