The development of a public library in Hood River was promoted by the Hood River Woman's Club, the local library board, and other community supporters. With a $17,500 grant from the Carnegie Corporation, the Woman's Club succeeded in its efforts to erect a public library. The Portland firm of Sutton and Whitney designed the Jacobethan-style building, and construction began in 1913. The Hood River County Library formally opened in 1914 with a collection of 3,000 books. In 1935, adjacent land to the west was donated to the county for library use as a park, and Georgiana Smith Park became an outdoor gathering place for the community. The library and park were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.