Public Library, Bellingham, Washington

[LIB811] Click on the image to order a reproduction of this postcard!

Library, Central Washington College, Ellensburg, WA

[LIB2423]

1924 Public Library, 4th Ave and Madison St., Seattle, Washington

[LIB0884]

In 1902, the city purchased an undeveloped downtown block for $100,000. The new home for the library was bounded by Fourth and Fifth avenues and Madison and Spring streets.

Six U.S. architects with substantial experience in library design — as well as every architect in the state of Washington — were invited to submit designs. In August 1903, the city selected a classic Beaux-Arts design prepared by German-born and trained architect P.J. Weber of Chicago. Construction of the 55,000-square-foot library began in spring of 1905. [Thanks to the Seattle Public Library, www.spl.org]

Public Library, Anacortes, Washington

[LIB3728]

The Carnegie Gallery was originally designed as a Carnegie Library and was built between 1909 and 1911. It became the home of the Anacortes Museum in 1968, and in 1977 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Architect, builder, or engineer: Piper & Cox

Anacortes Illustrated. Containing a General Description of the State of Washington and a Review of Resources, Terminal Advantages, General Industries and Climate of Anacortes and Its Tributary Country. Cover title: Anacortes. Illustrated. Washington.

Another use for a Carnegie Library

Thanks to the Spokesman-Review for this story:

Carnegie library will be hotel company’s headquarters - Magnuson Hotels will move into its new Spokane (WA) headquarters in the former Carnegie library at 525 E. Mission Ave. today. Some of the architectural features have been preserved and the integrity of the building has been respected. You can read the entire story here.

Public Library, Seattle, WA

[LIB3590]

Early 20th century view.

Library, University of Washington, Seattle WA

[LIB3567]

Public Library. Takoma, WA

This view also shows the Court House.

[LIB2385]

Public Library, SEATTLE WASHINGTON WA

The initial move to form a public library in Seattle came only 17 years after the first white settlers arrived on the shores of Puget Sound. It was July 30, 1868, when 50 residents of the rough-hewn logging town gathered to form a library association, good intentions that produced only minimal success over the next two decades. A new Ladies Library Association in 1888 provided the strongest foundation yet for The Seattle Public Library. In 1890, the city established the Library as an official city department, designated to receive 10 percent of the amount raised by city licenses and fines. [Source: Brief History of the Seattle Public Library]

Though Seattle is still a young city, growing and changing, much of its short past is already lost-but not forgotten. Generations of Seattleites have fond memories of restaurants, local television shows, stores, and other landmarks that evoke a less sophisticated, more informal city. This new book explores Seattle at a time when timber and fish were more lucrative than airplanes and computers, when the city was a place of kitschy architecture and homespun humor and was full of boundless hope for a brighter future. These rare and vintage images hearken back to the marvels of the 1962 World's Fair, shopping trips to Frederick & Nelson and I. Magnin, dinners at Rosellini's, dancing at the Trianon Ballroom, traveling on the ferry Kalakala, rooting for baseball's Rainiers, and local personalities including Stan Boreson, J. P. Patches, and Wunda Wunda. [Source: Arcadia Publishing]

Public Library SEATTLE WA

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The initial move to form a public library in Seattle came only 17 years after the first white settlers arrived on the shores of Puget Sound. It was July 30, 1868, when 50 residents of the rough-hewn logging town gathered to form a library association, good intentions that produced only minimal success over the next two decades. A new Ladies Library Association in 1888 provided the strongest foundation yet for The Seattle Public Library. In 1890, the city established the Library as an official city department, designated to receive 10 percent of the amount raised by city licenses and fines.

The new public library opened in 1891 on the fifth floor of the Occidental Building in Pioneer Square. A lumber company vice president borrowed its first book, a brand new copy of Mark Twain's "Innocents Abroad." [http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=about_history_history]

Library, WESTERN WASHINGTON STATE COLLEGE

1939-1950 Carnegie Library, Centralia, Washington

A real photo post card.

The Centralia Timberland Library was built in 1913 with a grant from Andrew Carnegie and some local money. It was remodeled in 1977-78 with grant money from the Economic Development Administration. The library is one of 27 libraries which make up the Timberland Regional Library in 5 SW Washington counties. Waymarking Website [http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM13Q3_Centralia_Timberland_Library_Centralia_Washington]