West End Public Library
In 1950, West End Calhoun County Library opened in a rented 4-room building off Clahoun Road to serve Black residents of Calhoun County. It was organized by local African Americans, who sought Calhoun Co. Public Library (CCPL) support to help secure resources. Its collection of 3,000 books originated from those given in 1937 by Rev. J.L.C. Riley of Lone Star to a library service run by the Works Progress Administration.
To provide a larger, more permanent facility for the library, a concrete block building was built here in 1960 on a lot owned by the Calhoun Co. Colored Teachers Association. Funded by a legislative appropriation, the 936-sq. ft. structure cost $6,500 and could house 8,000 books. West End became a CCPL branch library after desegregation. It closed in 1996 after the retirement of its longtime librarian, Hennie Owens Parker.
Where it stands. 1708 Calhoun Rd., St. Matthews, St. Matthews