Johnston Library

What is Johnston Library?

The building blends two styles. The pediment and pilasters at the main entrance come from Classical Revival design, while the Syrian arch framing the doorway is a Richardsonian Romanesque touch. Above, a gable roof sits on a cornice decorated with corbels and brackets.

It is a modest building by size, but the entrance packs a lot of detail into a small space, which is why it rewards a close look.

History of Johnston Library

In 1869 Baxter Springs lost the vote for county seat to Columbus. Backers of both towns had tried to rig that election, and Baxter Springs still hoped to take the title later, so in 1872 it built this courthouse anyway. For its first years it held the county jail and the sheriff, until Columbus completed a jail of its own in 1880. Baxter Springs then gave up its bid and turned the building into city hall.

In 1905 a resident, Niles P. Johnston, left the city money to found a library, and the old city hall became its home. The building entered the National Register on November 21, 1976.

Visiting Johnston Library: tips

Enjoy the exterior from the street; step inside only if the building is open to the public when you pass. The Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Station is about 0.1 mile away, so the two make an easy pair, and the Rial A. Niles House is about 0.5 mile away. The Rainbow Bridge is about 3.3 miles away. Fuel is about 0.1 mile from the library.