408 N. Columbia Carnegie Public Library

Continuing north one block, across the street is the Carnegie Public Library. Built in 1904 in the Neoclassical Revival style, the library is arguably the most impressive building in Union City or even the entire county. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The library was built on the grounds of the city park which was the focal point of the most upscale residential neighborhood in town.

The signature of Neoclassical style, which is derived from ancient Greek temples, is a columned portico that matches the height of the building and is capped by a frieze, cornice and pediment. Here the portico has four classical Corinthian columns supporting a stone frieze engraved with "Carnegie Library" topped by a dentilled cornice with a large, decoratively carved wooden pediment. On top of the pediment is a finial with a sphere and scrolls most likely to symbolize the knowledge of the world to be preserved within these walls.

The massive walls rise in alternating courses of rough-faced and dressed limestone block topped with a wide, plain wooden frieze, a dentilled cornice and a quite substantial carved wooden balustrade. While the building appears quite tall, it is only one story. The height is enhanced by a full-height basement and unusually high ceilings inside. Above the exterior windows and the door we see a flat arch of rough-faced limestone block with a smooth keystone.

The Neoclassical style emphasizes practical usage, vertical height and massive stone-work with minimal elaborate ornamentation – quite the opposite of Queen Ann style. 

If the library is open we should definitely go inside. It is worth a visit.

We should also give a shout out to Andrew Carnegie the self-made Scottish immigrant who led the expansion of the American steel industry to become one of the richest men in America. Over the last 18 years of his life, he gave away almost 90 percent of his fortune to charity, and a large chunk of that went to building 1,679 public libraries across the country including this one. Andrew Carnegie is rightly referred to as the father of the American public library system.

The interior of the library is Neoclassical in style with its symmetry, massive size and substantial classical details. As we enter the vestibule, we see matching seven panel oak doors to either side which retain their original brass knob with a raised, Classical shell motif. As we mount the steps to the imposing circulation desk, we see a network of Tuscan marble and polished oak columns rising to support polished oak beams in the high ceiling, making the circulation area almost monumental. Classical symmetry is maintained as the two sides around the circulation area mirror each other with their tall windows, open stacks, half-walls delineating the reading rooms, corner offices and even matching steam radiators along the half walls which are decorated with a Classical shell motif. The doors to the offices have heavy classical moldings. Overall, we can see that the Neoclassical style emphasizes mass and size with relatively little ornamentation.

As we leave the building along the path leading northwest, lets take a detour across the lawn and visit the statue of the Hon. Judge Jeremiah Smith who planned the Indiana side of town and recorded the plat for it in 1849.

In 2004 the library was nominated for inclusion into the National Register of Historic Places by Catherine R. Compton, Russell W. Archer, & Ellen Thackery on behalf of the Preservation Society of Union City Indiana Ohio

National Archives Catalog Register of Historic Places reference #04000631 pdf pp. 6-7, 26

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/132004623