The Hoyt Library opened in Saginaw in October 1890 and was hailed by the Saginaw Evening News as “a noble institution” and “the pride of all Saginawians.” It was a gift to the people of Saginaw from New York businessman Jesse Hoyt (1815-1882), who had real estate and lumber interests in the Saginaw Valley, and whose will set aside $100,000 for a public library there. After a national competition among leading architects, the Hoyt Trust chose the Boston architectural firm of Van Brunt and Howe. When completed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, the building exemplified modern library construction. The present building includes a 1921 addition by Edward Tilton of New York and a 1960 addition by Frederick E. Wigen Architects of Saginaw.