Neighborhood Served
-
- Bronzeville
- Grand Boulevard
History
- Hall Branch was named for renowned African American surgeon, social activist and civic leader Dr. George Cleveland Hall (1864-1930). Learn more about Dr. Hall and the Hall Branch in the George Cleveland Hall Branch Archives and the George Cleveland Hall Branch Digital Collection.
- Hall Branch was the first CPL location with an African American branch manager, Vivian G. Harsh, who served as its first manager.
- It opened January 18, 1932.
- On July 7, 2000, the Friends of Libraries USA (now United for Libraries) and Illinois Center for the Book designated Hall Branch as a literary landmark in recognition of its promotion of African American literary culture by serving as a meeting place for such writers as Arna Bontemps, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lorraine Hansberry, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Claude McKay and Richard Wright.
