The Peabody Public Library was established in 1901 through the philanthropic contributions of Leigh Smith J. Hunt. He offered to support a public library for the benefit of the people of Whitley County, consequently, it became known as the People's Free Library of Whitley County.  The library opened for business on the second floor of the Raupfer Building which is located on the corner of West Van Buren and Line Street. Indeed, the library was well received, during the first year alone, 29,675 items were circulated.

Later, concerned citizens circulated petitions to keep the library open in 1911 when Mr. Hunt could no longer financially support it.  Thereafter the City Council of Columbia City responded by passing an ordinance to make the Library a tax supported institution.

During the year of 1917, Simon J. Peabody donated land and funds to erect a building on North Main Street.  Afterwards, he also bequeathed money to the library.  The governing board then created an endowment which enabled the library to purchase capitol improvements. Next, in 1970, the library board built a major addition doubling the size of that library. Eventually, in 1992, the library became a Class I library and expanded its district to include two surrounding townships.

Moreover, in 1999, a new 27,500 square foot facility was built on Highway 205.  Finally, the unfinished areas were used for an expansion in 2010. Presently, the current 14.25 acres of property includes a wetland area that can be used for educational purposes.

Some previous members of the library board include:

• Rob R. McNagny - local author
• Thomas R. Marshall - Governor of Indiana & Vice President of the United States
• Andrew A. Adams - Judge & member of the Indiana House of Representatives
• James Fleck - Mayor of Columbia City

Community Recognition

• The Jewel of the Community by the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce in 2014
• 2015 Indiana State Library Annual Report recognition for the countywide Battle of the Books contest
• Whitley County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month in June of 2016
• 2017 INC Partnership Award
• INC Fleck Advocacy Award in 2019
• 2019 the Indiana State Library Annual Report recognized PPL for the LSTA Grant funded Wild about Wetlands program

P.O. Box 406
Columbia City, IN  46725