Poulan Library
Why it's listed
Poulan Library is a one-room, one-story public library on Church Street in the small southwest Georgia town of Poulan. Built in 1908, it is made of cast-concrete block molded to look like rough-faced stone, a low-cost alternative to real stone that was popular in the early twentieth century. The pyramidal roof has wide flared eaves, and all four facades are symmetrical with quoins at the corners and concrete lintels and sills. Inside, the original plaster walls, bead-board ceiling, wood trim and wood floor remain. The library was chartered in 1908 with help from town founder John G. McPhaul, and its original book collection was a gift from philanthropist and Michigan governor Chase Osborn. It served as the only public library in Worth County until a county library opened in Sylvester in 1931, and the Poulan Women's Club met there from 1916 through the 1930s. The building continues to function as the town library.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an excellent, intact example of a small-town public building in understated Colonial Revival style (Criterion C). It is also significant for education as Poulan's public library and, until 1931, the only public library in Worth County. It also matters for women's history as the meeting place of the Poulan Women's Club from 1916 through the 1930s (Criterion A).
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 03000679, listed July 25, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S side of 100 blk. of Church St., Poulan |
|---|---|
| County | Worth County |
| Listed | July 25, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000679 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1908 - 1953 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Education, Other |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The building still serves as the town library. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 31.51291, -83.78776 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 03000679.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16898773
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.