Named for a leading citizen of the town, the Reuben Hoar Library was founded in the late 1880s with the support of William Stevens Houghton. His father, local storekeeper Captain Reuben Houghton, was indebted to Hoar for financial assistance and advice for turning his failing business around. In gratitude, William provided funding for a book collection and to erect a building to house the library and municipal facilities with the stipulation it be named in Hoar’s honor. The original Reuben Hoar Library, a Shingle style building that also housed the town offices, opened on the site of the present town hall in 1887. It was a major local landmark until its destruction by fire in 1943.

In need of a new space that could be dedicated solely to the library, William’s son Clement S. Houghton and his wife, Elizabeth, donated funds for the construction of the new Colonial Revival library building located at the triangle in the center of town. Designed by Perkins & Betton, it was built in 1894 and housed the Reuben Hoar Library until 1991 when it moved to a former school building on Shattuck Street. Now known as the Houghton Memorial Building, it is home to the Littleton Historical Society.

In 2019, the Town received a $5.8 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and residents approved moving forward with the construction of a new library building at 35 Shattuck Street. Built by Commodore Builders, it opened its doors to the public November 2021.

Photo courtesy of Wicked Local