Haish Memorial Library
Also known as: DeKalb Public Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1930 at 309 Oak Street in DeKalb, this single-story library was funded by a $150,000 bequest from Jacob Haish, a barbed wire inventor and manufacturer. Chicago architects White and Weber designed it in the Art Moderne style, and DeKalb firm Skogland and Wedberg built it. The exterior is stained Indian Bedford limestone with fluted pilasters, chevron and fret ornament, and sculpture by Fred M. Torrey above the entrance. Inside, the vestibule and delivery room are lined with marble, and a 1934 mural by Gustaf Dalstrom hangs in the reading room. The nomination describes the design as restrained compared with Art Deco buildings of the same period and notes its functional layout. Interior changes were made in 1966 and 1968, and a 1978-79 extension of the wing copied the original stone, proportions and ornament. The library remains in public use and is recognized for its architecture and its link to Haish.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the library is an outstanding example of late 1920s Art Moderne architecture, with bold horizontal lines, strong vertical pilasters and restrained ornament. It is also locally significant for its association with Jacob Haish, a prominent DeKalb manufacturer whose bequest paid for the building.
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 80004319, listed October 9, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 309 Oak St., De Kalb |
|---|---|
| County | DeKalb County |
| Listed | October 9, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004319 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1930 |
| Architect / builder | White and Weber, Chicago, Architects; Skogland and Wedberg, DeKalb, builders |
| Architectural style | Art Moderne |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as the DeKalb Public Library; condition listed as excellent and altered, with a 1978-79 wing extension that matches the original exterior. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.93227, -88.74996 (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 80004319.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5639648
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.