The beautiful Shamrock Park, where the library is located, is a wonderful addition to the downtown area in Dublin. It wasn’t always there. It took the energy and imagination of some citizens over 90 years ago to create it.
In 1932 the Women’s Thursday Club became interested in two lots that connected West Live Oak and West Blackjack. The dilapidated buildings that stood on the property weren’t very appealing.
The Thursday Club had dreamed of some day acquiring the property and creating a new beautiful park near downtown that could be enjoyed by everyone. They could visualize a library, a band stand and a playground for children if the property could be secured.
There were 2 properties where Shamrock Park now stands. The owners of the Harbor Property, which was the land parcel next to Blackjack Street, were asking $1500 for it. The Women’s Thursday Club had no money on hand at the time. They turned their attention to the other property that adjoined Live Oak Street. The Thursday Club decided that they needed help in purchasing that property. They asked other clubs in town to help and interested individuals. They also contacted individuals who had moved from town but had wonderful memories of Dublin. The lot was paid for in less than two years.
In the meantime, the old house and barn were moved from the property. The Girl Scouts in town had been wanting a house they could call their own. They had pie suppers, plays and other entertainment to raise money. They also went to individuals and asked for donations. Work started on their house and continued until the money ran out. The house stood half finished for a year or more when a well respected cotton gin operator in town, H. L. Kight offered enough money to complete the project. To everyone’s pleasure, the house was soon finished.
Later, out of the blue, the Harbor Property along Blackjack Street became available and the owners were asking $1250 for it.
The Thursday Club had no money on hand so they went to Mayor Clarence Leatherwood and asked if the City of Dublin might be willing to purchase it for them. Mayor Leatherwood was very supportive of their effort and later that day he met with the City Council and all agreed to buy the property and then hand it back to the Thursday Club to clean-up the grounds and maintain it.
The Blevens family who owned the Majestic movie theater in town was approached and asked if they would be willing to donate movie tickets in exchange for boys working to clean up the property. The plan worked out beautifully so that there were a lot of tired boys in town and a clean lot to show for their work.
Next, the club wanted a rock wall around the property. Club members went to service stations in town and asked for a donation of gasoline. The gasoline was given to truck owners in town to defray costs while the trucks brought back rocks to make the fence. Carl Stevens Sr. was in charge of the W. P.A. work program in Dublin. He was glad to oversee the program of workers building the new fence at the library. Workers agreed to work for half wages when they weren’t working on other assigned projects, so available money could complete the fence.
Later a bandstand was added in1938 to offer musical pleasure and a place to hold picnics and family gatherings.
In 1952 the Girl Scout house was allowed to be used as the Dublin Library and served our community for over 40 years. But the story doesn’t end there. A new larger library was built in 1996 and serves as a center for genealogy, electronic media and books for citizens to read. Our beautiful park is still there and is enjoyed by children and adults alike.