Hawkes Free Children Libraries were the vision of Albert King Hawkes (1848-1916), an Atlanta optometrist, inventor, and philanthropist. He wanted people in rural areas to have more access to libraries and theaters.
He died before his dream came to fruition. In his will, he left money to build libraries across the state. The Griffin library, designed by Neel Reid and completed in 1917, is one of six remaining libraries and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hawkes is buried in Westview Cemetery in Atlanta.
His library in West Point can be seen here.
