the city of peabody was named in 1871 after f.h. peabody, of boston, formerly vice-president of the atchison, topeka and santa fe railway company. in may 1874, mr. peabody visited the new city, at which time he announced he would donate money for a library building, furniture, books, periodicals and landscaping if the peabody township would secure four lots for the site. the contract for construction was awarded in early 1875, and the library was opened to the public in june; in february 1876 the state legislature authorized the township to levy a tax to support the library. the structure housed the library facilities until 1914.