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The Lordsburg Hidalgo Library recognized for its authentic southwestern architecture, is classified as a historic building on the New Mexico Cultural Properties Historic Preservation Registry, as well as the National Register of Historic Places.
The present day library was a WPA (Works Project Administration) project started in 1936 when the first cornerstone was laid. The unique Aztec-Pueblo style makes the library an architectural gem. The adobe wall around the library yard is actually older than the library itself as it was part of the Hidalgo County Courthouse Park which dates back to the 1920's.
In 1988 the windows in the lobby atrium and the children's room were refurbished with stained glass windows donated by twelve pioneer families of Hidalgo County. The original library took up the front portion of the building. Housed in the enceinte were the Health Department and the Justice of the Peace. To this day people return to visit the room in which they were married.
There are many reminders of the décor of the original library. An oil painting by Joseph Fleck titled "Landscape from Talpa," reminds visitors of the importance of the depression era. Today the library houses a collection of more than 22,000 volumes and occupies the entire building and still offers free library service to the public.
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