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The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

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Jennie Erwin Library

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SC Picture Project / Anderson County / Jennie Erwin Library

South Carolina is home to 14 Carnegie libraries, or libraries built with funds from the Carnegie Foundation. The organization was formed in 1883 by business magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and helped to establish libraries all over the world. From 1883 through 1929, 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built and made available to the public – 1,689 in the United States alone. This library in Honea Path opened in 1908 and is one of two Carnegie libraries built in Anderson County. The other currently houses the Anderson County Arts Center in Anderson.

Jennie Erwin Library

William Thursby of Ware Shoals, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In 1907 the Honea Path Library Association was formed. Many libraries began as societies or clubs as a way to collect books and eventually make them available to the public. Local teacher Jennie Erwin became an active advocate for the construction of a library in town and pushed for a Carnegie grant to realize her vision.

Jennie Erwin Library

William Thursby of Ware Shoals, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

With the support of then-mayor John Humbert and Dr. John Wright, Erwin was successful in obtaining the funds for a library. At the time Honea Path was the smallest town in the United States to house a Carnegie library. The library was renamed for Erwin in 1958 when it became part of the Anderson County library system.

Jennie Erwin Library Marker

Bill Segars of Hartsville, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Jennie Erwin Library is one of five South Carolina Carnegie libraries still in use as a library.

More Pictures of the Jennie Erwin Library


Jennie Erwin Carnegie Library

Bill Segars of Hartsville, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Jennie Erwin Library

Bill Segars of Hartsville, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Jennie Erwin Library

Where is Jennie Erwin Library located?
Address: 318 North Shirley Avenue, Honea Path, SC 29654
GPS Coordinates: 34.449840,-82.395175
What else should I see?
Chiquola Mill 0.4 mile
Obediah Shirley House 1.7 miles
Holiday Dam 9 miles
Donalds Train Station 9.1 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Carnegie Libraries
  • Honea Path Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Libraries
    Jennie Erwin Library Map

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

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