From 1938 to 1957, the first bookmobile in Texas, a bright red vehicle called "The Library Bus," operated from the county library on this site, stopping at ranches, schools, and oil camps, circulating 2,000 books a month, and serving communities during an era of sparse settlement, World War II growth, and later industrialization. Early Texas had private and rental libraries, and the republic had a national library, but most county libraries were founded or instigated by local citizens, as was this pioneer bookmobile. Texas still has 51 bookmobiles in other counties.