Our History

William Kruse Kohrs, only son of Conrad and Augusta Kohrs, was born in Deer Lodge, Montana, November 1st, 1879, and died, after a very short illness, in New York City, March 20th, 1901. Desiring to establish some worthy and beneficent memorial that would honorably and usefully perpetuate the memory of their son in his native City, Mr. and Mrs. Kohrs concluded that no other method could so worthily and fully accomplish the purpose as a Free Public Library. It was their purpose to present to the City as an absolutely free gift the library fully furnished and stocked with books. The library has served the community of Deer Lodge and Powell County as the only public library since 1902. The library has grown in size and services over the years. Our community is still greatly benefiting from this very generous gift from the Kohrs Family.