Catholic Cathedral, Library, Vincennes, Indiana

[LIB1206] The library contains some of the oldest books and relics in the country.

1941 Public Library, Muncie, Indiana

[LIB1166]

Carnegie Library
301 E Jackson St
Muncie IN 47305

1930 Public Library, Elkhart, Indiana

1903 Elkhart Public Carnegie Library opens (October 2nd), torn down in 1970.

[LIB1130] Click here to order a reproduction of this postcard!

Public Library, South Bend, Indiana

The South Bend Board of Education in 1894, purchased a lot at the corner of Main and Wayne St. in downtown South Bend. The cornerstone was laid in the spring of 1895 and on May 8, 1896, the Library opened to the public. By the late 1920's, it was evident that because of its growth, a larger facility would be needed to house the main library. Tippecanoe Place was one of the buildings which seemed to surface when a new library building was discussed. Because of it's Victorian features, this building become known as "The Castle" [read more of the History of this Library here

[LIB1106] Click here to order a reproduction of this postcard!

1945 Lee Wallace Library, Crawfordsville, Indiana

In March 1901, the city learned that Carnegie was willing to donate $25,000 for a free public library. The city was required to furnish a site and to support the library to the extent of $2,500 annually. The Carnegie Library/Crawfordsville Public Library was thus constructed on the corner of Washington Street and Wabash Avenue (its present location); the building was made with smooth-cut ashlar stone, and its entrance was accented by unfluted ionic columns (a style common among Carnegie libraries at that time). The library was dedicated on July 29, 1902. [read more of the Crawfordsville Library history here]

[LIB1105] Click here to order a reproduction of this postcard!

1914 Public Library, Brazil, Indiana

The beautiful building of Indiana limestone was formally dedicated on October 18, 1904. It is said to be the only library in the united states marked with the carved letters stating that it was donated by Andrew Carnegie. [read more Brazil Library history here]

[LIB1104] Click here to order a reproduction of this postcard!

1910 City Library, Kokomo, Indiana

The library was organized in 1885 as the Kokomo Free Library. In 1905, after building a new library largely funded by Andrew Carnegie, the library was renamed the Carnegie Public Library. From the beginning, the library was governed by the Kokomo School Board, who retained authority until January 1, 1964, when the first library board was appointed. In 1958 the library's name was changed to the Kokomo Public Library. The Carnegie building served until 1965 when construction of the present main library was begun. [http://www.kokomo.lib.in.us/information/aboutLibrary.html]

[MO713] Click on the image to order a reproduction of this postcard!

Kokomo, Indiana by sepiatown
Learn where to sell posters online using Zazzle.

1912 Public Library, Linton, Indiana

[LIB0452] Click on the image to order a reproduction of this postcard!

Public Library, Rochester, Indiana

[LIB0382]

The Cole Bros. Circus from Rochester, Indiana : A Complete History From 1934-1940

1909 Library, Bluffton, Indiana

[LIB0223] - read about the history of the Bluffton Library here.

1914 State Normal Library, Terre Haute, Indiana

[LIB1333]

This building was built as the Library of the Indiana State Normal School (now Indiana State University) in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was dedicated June 21, 1910. The building was renamed Cunningham Memorial Library in 1961, and Normal Hall in 1973. [Thanks to Ben L Ross]

Carnegie Library, Frankfort, Indiana

[LIB0146]

The Frankfort Community Public Library originated as a subscription library in 1884. Initially, the library began as a collection of books in a back room of some law offices at the court house. Then the collection was moved to the Council Chamber only to be moved once more to the High School building. The library stayed at the High School building for five years under the direction of superintendent of schools, Edwin S. Monroe. In 1905, Superintendent Monroe wrote a letter to Andrew Carnegie. Andrew Carnegie was a self-made man who made a fortune in the steel industry. He was known for his philanthropy and for his fervent advocacy of libraries. True to his reputation, he responded to Monroe with a donation of $24,000 towards the building of a new library. (Adjusted for inflation, $24,000 in 1905 is equivalent to $461,449.70 today.) Along with the support of Frankfort tax money, the library finally got its permanent home in 1906 at the corner of Clinton and Columbia Streets. [Thanks to the Frankfort Community Library]

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1908 Public Library, Tipton, Indiana

[LIB2598]

In the fall of the year 1900 the first definite plans were made in the city of Tipton for the establishment of a free public library. The educational and pleasurable effects of such an institution were realized, and the strong need of the advantages perceived in the life of the city. At this time the schools were beginning to be improved to a great extent, and in connection with this the need was felt perhaps stronger than in any other way. It was at a meeting of the Literary and Suffrage Club that the plans were first made. The new library law went into effect the following year, and Tipton was ready at once to take advantage of it. The city was the first in the state of Indiana to organize under this new law. Early in the spring of 1901 the library association opened the library to the public in the court house. A book "shower" was held and more than five hundred volumes were donated, many of them being valuable. The library was supported by voluntary contributions. The officers were the same as they are in 1914. [History of Tipton County, available from Google Books]

1940 Public Library, Elwood, Indiana

[LIB2596]

Construction on the new library began in 1903, the same year the natural gas supply was depleted and Elwood's gas boom ended. In July 1903, Mrs. Saylor was instructed to make an appeal to Mr. Carnegie for an extra $5,000 to complete the building and furnishings. In August, she reported Mr. Carnegie had agreed to the extra money provided that the city council would increase the annual tax levy to $3,000. The council approved, making the total cost of $30,000 for the city's fine, new library. [Thanks to the Elwood Public Library]

1908 Carnegie Library, Greencastle, Indiana

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1911 Public Library, Hammond, Indiana

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Library, Indiana State University, Bloomington IN

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Public Library, Logansport, Indiana

[LIB3703]

1901 --Arrangements were completed with Mr. Andrew Carnegie for $35,000 to build a new library building
Aug. 1, 1904 --Work completed on new building made of Indiana Bedford stone in a classic style of architecture. The library had 14,500 volumes and loaned 30,000 volumes annually.

Inscribed over the windows: Emerson; St. Paul; Homer, and Shakespeare.

Public Library, Frankfort, Indiana

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"Established by a Carnegie Foundation grant in 1907." [From the back of the card]

1908 Public Library, Muncie, Indiana

[LIB3685]

This vintage post card was sent to Miss Flora Turner, Williamsburg, Indiana.

In 1901, the city of Muncie received a $50,000 Carnegie grant. Architect Marshall S. Mahurin of Fort Wayne, who also designed the 1893 Fort Wayne City Hall, designed the classical revival building. The cornerstone was laid on 1 June 1902, and the official opening was 1 January 1904. Above the entrance is the legend "This building the gift of Andrew Carnegie. Built anno Domini 1902." On either side of this are reliefs of female figures, identified as Law, Science, Prose, Art, Poetry, and Music.

The Muncie Public Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 17 June 1976 as building #76000019. Ten years later, the library received the Althea Stoeckel Award for Historic Preservation for the renovation of the interior of the building. [A very big thank you to Waymarking.com, www.waymarking.com] More information about the Carnegie Library in Muncie Indiana, including contemporary photos, can be found here.