 lizabeth Thompson, a wealthy New York benefactress, never lived in Boulder County, but earned the title of "fairy godmother" of the infant town of Longmont. In 1871, in addition to purchasing 25 lots in the new colony for her "poorer friends," she financed the construction of a colony meeting building, Library Hall (located at 335 Pratt Street). She donated 300 books and 3,000 of her personal engravings, making it Colorado's first library. As one of Longmont's first buildings, Library Hall also served as town hall, school, church, and performance hall. Thompson's name lives on in nearby Thompson Park, a site of community activities today. |
