Clarke Library, Marietta

The first library in Marietta was located in the home of Sarah Freeman Clarke, who was responsible for the construction of this building in 1893. Located on the corner of Polk and Church Streets, the library was built on the former site of the 1840s William Root House, which was saved from demolition and moved to make way for the library. The octagonal library was modeled after the reading room at the British Museum in London. The city took over the library in 1936, and continued to operate there until a new library opened in the former Marietta Post Office building in 1963. Cobb Landmarks used the library building as its headquarters in the early 1990s. Today, the historic library houses K. Mike Whittle Designs.