David S. Walker Library

David S. Walker, the Florida Governor from 1866 to 1868, was a lawyer with a particular interest in public education. Born in Kentucky, he came to Florida in 1837 to study law. When he became Registrar of Public Lands and School Superintendent in 1852, he worked to make public education available to Floridians. In 1883, while serving as a circuit judge, Walker offered two rooms in a building he owned to create a public library, on the conditions that local citizens would contribute $100 for furniture and supplies and form a library association. Walker's building stood at the corner of Monroe and McCarty streets and has been moved to Monroe and Park streets. The "University Library" opened in 1884. After Walker's death in 1891, the building was eventually sold; Walker's widow and daughter turned over the sale proceeds by 1903 to have a new library built (the current building). A new lot behind the old building, measuring 30 by 50 feet, was deeded by the Walker heirs to the Library Association.

The Walker Library, based on the year it first opened (1884), is the fourth oldest library in Florida; the oldest, St. Augustine, was set up in 1871. The Walker Library remained as a subscription library, so was only available to those who could afford to subscribe. The first free library in Tallahassee wasn't established until 1955. Some of the books from the Walker Library were moved to the new, free library that opened in 1956 in the basement of The Columns, another local historic building (and a Clio entry). The library books have traveled to several more locations before finding their current home at the Leon County Leroy Collins Library at 200 W. Park Avenue. Most of the other books from the Walker Library, including some rare and out-of-print tomes, were donated to the Florida State University library.

The Walker Library building has been used since 1977 as the headquarters of Springtime Tallahassee, an organization that sponsors a two-day festival in town, including musical performances and a parade. Skylight Partners bought the building for $300,000 in May 2019 with plans to lease the building while retaining the historic exterior and historic desks and furnishings.

The interior of the building is essentially one large room with a second-floor balcony; the balcony became a popular place for members to relax or play chess. A brick fireplace is located opposite the main entryway. The plastered walls are pierced by windows framed in dark wood in an arch and keystone design, similar to the outside pattern. The floors are hardwood and the skylight area with clerestory windows was paneled in narrow, light wood stripping. The original gaslight fixtures were converted to carry electricity. One chair was said to have once been the property of Prince Achille Murat, a nephew of Napoleon who relocated to Florida and lived in the area; it appears that even royalty needs to retire to Florida.

Florida Festivals and Events Association. Springtime Tallahassee Festival, Festivals and Community Events. January 1st 2019. Accessed November 27th 2020. https://www.ffea.com/events/2019/springtime-tallahassee-festival.

Fryman, Mildred L. NRHP Nomination of Davis S. Walker Library, Tallahassee, Florida. National Register. Washington, DC. National Park Service, 1976.

Saconchik-Pytel, Martha. Walker Library to be Resurrected. The Appalachee Redux. August 1st 2019. 6 - 7.