1912 Library, Norwalk, Connecticut

[LIB6437] - Though Norwalk was second to South Norwalk in founding a public library it was the first to get a building from Carnegie funds. As its rental rooms were inadequate, in 1901 the library applied for a Carnegie grant. Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, a great supporter of public libraries, gave money for a library building to any town or city that would promise to continue funding the library at an annual rate equaling 10% of the building grant. The City agreed to provide funding, and Norwalk received a grant for $20,000. The size of the Carnegie grant was a function of the population served by the library. Norwalk and South Norwalk were both very small cities at the time, each having a population of about 10,000. [From the website]

1905 Public Library, Norwalk, Connecticut

[LIB2557] - The Carnegie grant required the city to provide a suitable lot. Hubert E. Bishop, grandson of George G. Bishop, a leading Norwalk manufacturer, donated a lot for the purpose. The location, on the corner of Belden Ave. and Mott Ave., was ideally located, just to the west of Norwalk’s business district. Prominent English architects W. and G. Audsley were chosen to design the building. It was done in Tudor style with steep gabled roofs and leaded-glass windows. This was an unusual form for Carnegie libraries which were more often in Classic style. It was opened in April, 1903. [Read more at the Website]

1899 Norwalk CT Birds Eye View Panoramic Map by PaperTimeMachine
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1913 The Library, NORWALK CT

Published by the Leighton & Valentine Co. [LIB1858]