I had the library built in honor of my husband, Delos R. Moon. My husband’s daydream was Stanley’s future."”

Sally Moon

For those lucky enough to visit the D. R. Moon Library’s event, Building Connections Past, Present, Future, this Saturday, they were transported back in time to experience integral moments in the history of Stanley while viewing the plans for the upcoming Library expansion. Starting off the tour, Sally Moon, played by Stanley-Boyd Teacher Becky Isenberger explained the historical start of the D. R. Moon Memorial Library as she shared the significant part her husband, Delos Moon played in the beginning of the town and the library. After Delos Moon’s death in 1898, Sally donated funds to start the Library because of her husband’s affection for the community. “I had the library built in honor of my husband, Delos R. Moon,” Isenberger remarked explaining that Sally and her son, Sumner, arrived by train to attend the December 17^th dedication of the Library where it was dedicated to the people of Stanley and their neighbors.  She went on to describe Delos Moon’s history with the Northwestern Lumber Company and the large part it played in Stanley’s growth and history. “My husband’s daydream was Stanley’s future,” she stated.

Once attendees stepped inside the library, former Stanley Fire Chief George Bartlett, played by Ed Miniatt, shared the devastating tragedy of The Great Stanley Fire of 1906 where most of the town was destroyed and only the Library and the newly-built high school were left still standing. Miniatt shared that the wind was the fire department’s biggest enemy in fighting the fire.  “All we could do was try to fight it as best as we could. We tried to save what we could. It wasn’t long before the entire residential area was completely engulfed.” He further remarked that over 600 people were left homeless but thankfully, there were no deaths. He went on to explain that by the time the fire had reached the Library and the School, the wind had shifted which helped to save both buildings.

Then third grader Art Gaffney, nicely portrayed by nine-year-old Cooper Isenberger, gave his eyewitness account and how he survived the horrendous fire that almost cost him his life. Isenberger smiled in relief after perfectly reciting his lengthy lines from memory.

From there, a tour guide went on to direct attendees to the lower-level of the Library where Stanley-Boyd high school students, Caroline Johnson and Sydney Gundlach performed as former D.R. Moon Librarians, Maggie McFarlane, Library Director for 21 years, and Susan Anderson, Library Director who began in 1984. They shared the many life changing events that the D.R. Moon Library has experienced and that the lower level of the library began to be used as a children’s area in December of 2004. Gundlach recited a poem found in the library archives by Nellie Crane titled, “The Spirit of the Stanley Library” which states, “Each comer feels himself an honored guest, in quick response he is his very best.”

 Attendees were then directed outdoors to the future location of the Library expansion where they were presented with a delicious assortment of refreshments.

Cathy Ryba, Library Board President, explained that the library hosted the event on Saturday for community members to learn the history of the library and to be proud that local citizens took such good care of this historical building, while building connections from past, present, and to the future. The D.R. Moon Memorial Library is hoping to renovate and expand the library to a more accessible and updated space and wanted this event to spread the word of the renovation and expansion as they are beginning a capital campaign in October to raise funds to accomplish this exciting goal.