Julia Ideson Building

One of Houston's best-kept secrets, this Spanish Renaissance-style establishment was once Houston’s only main library building. Its name comes from the first head librarian of this facility, Julia Bedford Ideson, who worked here for 40 years. In 1977, this library became even more special when it was indexed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. 

 

 

What to Know

Julia Ideson Building is a part of the bigger Houston Central Library. It's the perfect place to visit if you want to see annals, records, and official documents of the city and the state. It's also home to the Texas and Local History departments, and the Houston Metropolitan Research Center.

 

The library was designed in a Spanish Revival style by the famous architect Ralph Adams Cram of Cram and Ferguson, Boston. In 1926, it opened its doors to the public as Houston Public Library’s Central Library. It superseded the previous Carnegie building. The Central Library changed location when, in 1976, it was moved to the newly built Jesse H. Jones Building. The Julia Ideson Library recommenced operations in 1979 after it entered the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

 

Best Time to Visit 

The best time to visit Houston is generally February to April and September to November. With the average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 27°C during these months, the city experiences beautiful weather which makes the sightseeing adventure much more wonderful. The Julia Ideson Building, though, is gorgeous and inviting all year. You can't go wrong with a visit here any time of the year! 

 

How to Get There

This beautiful library sits in downtown Houston right across from the City Hall and the One Shell Plaza Building. The best way to go there is by booking a Houston City Tour featuring this attraction as a part of the package. The Best of Houston Tour is our pick. Featuring an exploration of the Julia Ideson Building, this tour also includes visits to the Alley Theatre, Tranquillity Park, Hermann Park, Market Square Park, Minute Maid Park, and more! 

 

The tour also includes a stop at a local city café to keep you refreshed for the trip! The best part? It's an intimate, small-group tour that includes a convenient pick-up and drop-off to your hotel downtown.

 

Highlights & Features 

- The library building was designed in a Spanish Renaissance style by the architect Ralph Adams Cram.

- The facility is named after Julia Bedford Ideson who was the library's chief librarian for 40 years after it opened its doors to the public in 1926.

- Replacing the previous Carnegie building, the Julia Ideson Building served as HPL's Central Library. 

- It was the city's only chief library building from the years 1926 to 1976.

- The library was granted a special place when it entered the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

- The library is one of locals’ favorite places to go to for quiet time and study. It's also one of the city's hidden gems. 

- The library's appeal also comes from a local legend that says that the spirits of the caretaker, Jacob Frank Cramer, and his dog, Petey, still haunt the building. This myth was popularized by Lana Berkowitz of the Houston Chronicle who documented this attraction as well as other downtown haunted places.

- As a part of the Central Library, the Ideson Building stores the city's official records, annals, and manuscripts. So if you're researching Houston, this place is a must-visit. 

- The Houston Metropolitan Research Center is housed inside this library.

- You can also find the Texas and Local History departments there.