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History

A sign that says Mars: Named after the Star of Mars. Founded 1875.

In 1798, Isaac Covert built a log cabin in what is now Mars Borough. Gradually, he accumulated 400 acres. Other farmers purchased nearby property: Matthew Parks' farm stretched along the south side of Irvine Street. Thomas Kennedy worked on his farm to the east of Crowe Avenue. The James Davidson farm nestled south of the Covert's farm.

 

All these farms met at the corner of Pittsburgh Street and Crowe Avenue, then a  crossroad of the Valencia-Evans City Road and a street which cut from Old Plank Road (Rt. 8) to Perry Highway on the west.

Matthew Parks and Thomas Kennedy built water-powered grist mills on the Breakneck Creek. In 1873, Matthew Park's son Samuel, along with the Honorable Samuel Marshall, established the Mars Post Office.

The Post Office's name is a controversial topic. Some say that Mrs. Parks was a student of astronomy and suggested the name. Others say it was named in honor of Samuel Marshall.Either way, the connotation of outer space stuck.

 

The library itself was founded in the 1950's by the Women's Club of Mars. The women of the Club used their own books to form a small volunteer public library that evolved into the present Mars Area Public Library.

Pictured here are are people wearing martian costumes used by the British Broadcasting Company in 1976 for the filming of The Vikings Trip to the Planet Mars. The photograph was taken in Mars, Pennsylvania.

Picture of four children dressed as Martians standing in front of a Welcome to Mars sign.

The mission of Mars Area Public Library is to inform, educate, entertain, and culturally enrich by providing books,​ library materials, facilities, and professional
services for all individuals in our area.

Hours

 

Mon-Thurs: 10am-7pm
 

Friday: 10am-3pm
 

Saturday: 9am-4pm (10am-2pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day)

Contact

 

724-625-9048
 

jcallihan@bcfls.org

 

107 Grand Avenue/P.O. Box 415

Mars, PA 16046

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  • HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
    2025 HOLIDAYS Wednesday, January 1 - New Year's Day Observed Monday, January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, February 17 – Presidents Day Friday, February 28- Staff Training Friday, April 18 – Good Friday Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day Thursday, June 19 - Juneteenth Friday, July 4 – Independence Day Monday, September 1 – Labor Day Monday, October 13 - Indigenous People's Day/Columbus Day Thursday, November 27 – Thanksgiving Day Friday, November 28 - Black Friday Wednesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day Wednesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve 2025 IN-SERVICE DAYS Monday, February 17 - Presidents’ Day Friday, February 28- Staff Training Monday, October 13 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day

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