Carnegie Library Building

In February 1903, the City Free Library opened its doors to the public with 8,306 bound volumes. It circulated its materials about 27,000 times that first year. The standalone building replaced a shared public/school library in the City High School.

In 1874, the Public School Library Association was formed and the first library was opened as a shared public and school library in the City High School building. 

Beginning in the 1890s, the Carnegie Corporation promised $25,000 for a library building if a city could acquire a site and $2,500 annual tax levy. After much debate and discourse, a lot was found and the architecture firm of Patron and Miller from Chicago (they designed over 100 Carnegie libraries nationwide) was hired. This new library had electric lighting, indoor plumbing and the stacks became open (like they are today, prior to 1903 you had to request books and the librarian would get them for you).  It opened to the public in 1903.

In 1912 under the direction of Miss Winifred Ticer, the basement was opened up and became the “Railroad and Scientific Room”. The Erie Railroad officials donated materials including maps and pictures. The library remained at this location until May 1987 when a new building was built a couple of blocks west to meet the needs of the growing community. The Carnegie building was then used by the school (see tour stop 19) as a media center. Most recently it has been used as a game store and bakery. The original metal shelves and many other architectural features are still included in the interior of the building.

The Huntington County Interim Report, 2nd Edition, labels the architecture style as Neo-Classical.  “America's interest in classical architecture was reborn in the 1890s. Hoosier civic leaders thought that classical architecture would symbolize authority and culture for their growing cities and towns at the turn of the century. The Neo-Classical Revival style is similar to the much earlier Greek Revival style; however, it differs by its use of elaborate classical detail, usually more permanent materials (brick, stone) and more massive scale. Architects frequently combined elements from Greek, Roman, and Italian Renaissance architecture into one design.” One of the features of this Neo-classical style is the dentil details (dentils are a series of closely spaced rectangular blocks that form a molding) along the roofline. The Carnegie City Free Library building is listed on page 14 of the National Register of Historic Places registration form for North Jefferson Street Historic District which was approved in 2010.

1. Huntington County Interim Report 2nd Edition, Indiana 1982. This book can be located at the Huntington City-Township Public Library. hctpl.info.
2. “Neo classical  Style,”, IN.gov, accessed July 19, 2021, https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic-preservation/learn-about-topics/buildings-and-bridges/architectural-styles/neo-classical-revival-style/
3. Mong, James, The Early History of the Huntington Public Library 1874-1913. Material is located at the Huntington City-Township Public Library. hctpl.info.
4. Fourth Biennial Report of the Public Library Commissions of Indiana 1904-1906. Indianapolis: Wm. B. Burford, Contractor for State Printing and Binding, 1907.
5. “National Register of Historic Places Registration Form,” nps.gov, accessed July 19, 2021. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/d16cfb14-e6f2-47e1-a9fe-5fd7ccfa0870