Lindmark’s Bookstore started with John Lindmark, who bought a rare book for $300 and sold it for $7,000. That was all it took. From then on, John and his wife, Rae, became passionate about books, moving to Poughkeepsie and opening their first bookstore on Liberty Street in 1912.
Driven by their love for books, John and Rae soon found their initial location on Liberty Street too small for their growing collection. They relocated to a larger space, then to an even bigger one at 290 Main Street in 1933, and finally to the old Christopher Columbus schoolhouse on Church Street.
By 1945, Lindmark’s Bookstore had built an impressive collection of around 300,000 books, valued at about $2 million. This large inventory required 14 miles of shelving, surpassing the combined collections of all the local libraries.
In 1961, the City of Poughkeepsie planned to construct a cloverleaf interchange for the Mid-Hudson Bridge. This meant that the state would have to take Union Square, Harris Street, South Clover Street, and Church Street. Lindmark’s Bookstore was right in the middle of these plans. The state offered Lindmark $22,000, but nothing for the transport and storage of his massive book collection.
Mr. Lindmark was a hot-tempered and stubborn man when it came to business dealings and negotiations. So, when the state offered him $3,000 to help with the relocation and storage of his books in 1963, he declined. Several local institutions offered to assist with the relocation and storage, but he rejected their offers as well. Lindmark stubbornly insisted that the state cover the entire cost. The state refused, and eventually, a court order was issued. In April 1963, the books were removed from the building and placed on the street.
This pile of books became a public spectacle, with not only the public contributing to the loss and scattering of many books, but the weather also played a role in destroying many of them. Ultimately, the city had enough, and the remaining books were piled up and disposed of by the most convenient method: burning.
The Sojourner
Ad
Share this!
072624