Thomas Hughes Library - Rugby, TN Rugby is a small community along the Cumberland Plateau in Morgan County, founded by British Immigrants in 1880. The Rugby Colony was designed to be a utopian community, but the design failed in less than a decade. Still a few townspeople and their descendants lived in the area over the next several decades. In the 1960s, residents, friends and descendants of Rugby began restoring the original design and layout of the community, preserving surviving structures and reconstructing others. Built in 1882, the Thomas Hughes Library is the most unchanged of all the buildings in Rugby. The library's 7,000 volumes were collected primarily by Boston bookseller Estes & Lauriat, and donated to Rugby's Library and Reading Room Society with the stipulation they name the new library for Hughes. The library still contains most of its original collection, the oldest volume of which dates to 1687.
C.E. Weldon Public Library - Martin, TN Built in 1925. Located at the intersection of Main St, and Lindell St. in the middle of town. Complete history: www.ceweldonlibrary.org/history-of-the-library/
William H and Edgar Magness Community House & Library along Main St. in McMinnville, TN William H. and Edgar Magness Community House & Library; (118 W. Main St.) Mr. W. H. Magness, Jr. (1865-1936) was a co-founder and the first president of the National Bank of McMinnville in 1874, which became First National Bank in 1905. He was the city's foremost philanthropist, and donated the land and construction cost for this classic and dignified cut-stone building. It was built in 1931 at a cost of $40,000, and is named in honor of the father and brother of Mr. Magness. His other charitable gifts included the construction of the carillon tower of Magness Memorial Baptist Church at 403 North Spring Street. That building burned after his death, and was rebuilt as First Baptist Church. Mr. Magness is buried in Riverside Cemetery. Mrs. J. M. Cunningham was the local champion of reading and headed the library from 1913 until her death in 1954. www.tngenweb.org/warren/warsite.htm
Carnegie Library at Fisk University According to the historic marker: The Academic Building at Fisk University was designed by Nashville architect Moses McKissack and was made possible by a gift from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. On May 22, 1908, William H. Taft, later 27th President of the United States, laid the cornerstone. This building served as the first library at Fisk. Other notes: Carnegie donated $20,000 for this library. Taft was serving as U.S. Secretary of War when he came to the campus to lay the cornerstone. The building was completed on Feb. 25th 1909 and was known as "One of the South's finest." It is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places as part of the Fisk University Historic District.
Cravath Hall - Fisk University From the historic marker: This neo-Gothic structure first served as the Erastus M. Cravath Memorial Library. Named for Cravath, the university's first president (1875-1900), it was designed by Nashville architect Henry Hibbs and built in 1929-30. The interior walls depict several murals by Aaron Douglas, the leading Harlem or Negro Renaissance painter and founder of the Fisk Art Department. This building is part of the Fisk University Historic District listing on the National Register of Historic Places Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/nashville/incredible-na... These 20 Incredible Places in Nashville Will Drop Your Jaw To The Floor
Argie Cooper Public Library - Shelbyville, TN This is now an Antique Mall. www.mainandmcgrew.com/ This building is on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Shelbyville Courthouse Square Historic District. Here is the writeup from 1981: 29. Bedford County and Shelbyville Library Building (S. Main St.): 1913, two story brick, Neo-Classical Revival, originally U. S. Post Office building, monumental six columned flat portico with denticulated frieze, seven bay façade with 8/8 light rectangular windows at the far right and left bays and two long multi-lighted semi-circular windows flanking central entrance, brick pilasters divide windows, denticulated frieze and cornice extend around all sides of building, parapet.
Carnegie Library - Hopkinsville, KY Built in 1914, the Carnegie Library served the residents of Hopkinsville, KY until 1976. The building was neglected for many years, but is now being restored. For more information: hopkinsvillecarnegielibrary.org/
Carnegie Library - Decatur, AL Completed in 1904, this library was one of over 2,500 funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It was built at a cost of $8,500 and served as the town's library until 1973. Today, the building is the Carnegie Visual Arts Center. carnegiearts.org/about/history/
Carnegie Library - Rome, GA For more info: www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/old-carnegie-library-tu...
Collinwood, TN L&N Depot This well maintained former L&N (and Tennessee Western) Depot is in the town of Collinwood, in southern Wayne County. The Railroad first came to Collinwood in 1913, and this depot was built in 1916, and expanded in 1918. Railroad operations here ceased in 1939 and the tracks were removed over the next two years. Over the next two decades, the building was used as a house, a warehouse and a grist mill. It served as city hall for 15 years and then a senior citizens center afterwards. The Depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 and the grounds went through and extensive renovation in 2001. On the day of my visit, there was a sign by the entrance that they were opened. Today, the depot serves as a library, and you won't find anything train related on the inside. For a more thorough history and some vintage photos, check the page on Collinwood's website: www.cityofcollinwood.org/collinwood_train_depot.asp
Handley Library Side - Old Town Winchester, VA From Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Library Handley Library is a historic library building located at 100 West Piccadilly Street in Winchester, VA. Completed in 1913, construction of the Beaux-Arts style building was funded by a wealthy Pennsylvania businessman. The building serves as the main branch for Winchester's library system. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR) in 1969. Judge John Handley (1835–1895), an Irish-American coal magnate and lawyer from Scranton, Pennsylvania, visited Winchester several times and admired the city for its Scotch-Irish heritage. In his will, he left $250,000 for the city to erect a library "for the free use of the people of the city of Winchester" and schools for the poor. Construction of the library, designed by New York architects Barney and Chapman, was not begun until 1908. The cornerstone ceremony on May 26 was preceded by a large parade. The building's fireproof construction and facilities were considered advanced at the time of completion. The total cost of construction and furnishings was $233,230. The library opened on August 21, 1913, and originally featured a 300-seat lecture hall, study rooms and conference areas. C. Vernon Eddy was Handley's first librarian, serving in that position until 1960. Originally only white patrons were allowed to visit the library; in December 1953 city officials began allowing all residents to use the facility, regardless of race. The library was listed on the VLR on September 9, 1969, and the NRHP on November 12, 1969. It is also designated a contributing property to the Winchester Historic District, listed on the NRHP in 1980. Architectural firm Smithey and Boynton of Roanoke designed an addition that was completed in 1979. Their work resulted in a first honor award from the American Institute of Architects. Dennis Kowal Architects of Somerville, New Jersey prepared a full historic preservation plan in 1997 and oversaw the comprehensive restoration and rehabilitation in 1999. In 2001, Dennis Kowal was awarded the Lucille Lozier Award by Preservation of Historic Winchester, Inc. for the "outstanding restoration" of the Handley Regional Library. The Handley Library is "perhaps Virginia's purest expression of the regal and florid Beaux-Arts classicism." It was designed to resemble an open book, with the dome representing the spine and the wings representing the covers. The limestone building consists of an octagonal base and a central dome. A three-arched entrance faces the intersection of Braddock and Piccadilly Streets. Two wings flank the dome and feature single-pitched roofs with dormer lights, balustrades and Ionic colonnades. Heavy stone reliefs of figures and fruit flank several windows and doors.
Handley Library Front - Old Town Winchester, VA From Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Library Handley Library is a historic library building located at 100 West Piccadilly Street in Winchester, VA. Completed in 1913, construction of the Beaux-Arts style building was funded by a wealthy Pennsylvania businessman. The building serves as the main branch for Winchester's library system. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR) in 1969. Judge John Handley (1835–1895), an Irish-American coal magnate and lawyer from Scranton, Pennsylvania, visited Winchester several times and admired the city for its Scotch-Irish heritage. In his will, he left $250,000 for the city to erect a library "for the free use of the people of the city of Winchester" and schools for the poor. Construction of the library, designed by New York architects Barney and Chapman, was not begun until 1908. The cornerstone ceremony on May 26 was preceded by a large parade. The building's fireproof construction and facilities were considered advanced at the time of completion. The total cost of construction and furnishings was $233,230. The library opened on August 21, 1913, and originally featured a 300-seat lecture hall, study rooms and conference areas. C. Vernon Eddy was Handley's first librarian, serving in that position until 1960. Originally only white patrons were allowed to visit the library; in December 1953 city officials began allowing all residents to use the facility, regardless of race. The library was listed on the VLR on September 9, 1969, and the NRHP on November 12, 1969. It is also designated a contributing property to the Winchester Historic District, listed on the NRHP in 1980. Architectural firm Smithey and Boynton of Roanoke designed an addition that was completed in 1979. Their work resulted in a first honor award from the American Institute of Architects. Dennis Kowal Architects of Somerville, New Jersey prepared a full historic preservation plan in 1997 and oversaw the comprehensive restoration and rehabilitation in 1999. In 2001, Dennis Kowal was awarded the Lucille Lozier Award by Preservation of Historic Winchester, Inc. for the "outstanding restoration" of the Handley Regional Library. The Handley Library is "perhaps Virginia's purest expression of the regal and florid Beaux-Arts classicism." It was designed to resemble an open book, with the dome representing the spine and the wings representing the covers. The limestone building consists of an octagonal base and a central dome. A three-arched entrance faces the intersection of Braddock and Piccadilly Streets. Two wings flank the dome and feature single-pitched roofs with dormer lights, balustrades and Ionic colonnades. Heavy stone reliefs of figures and fruit flank several windows and doors.
Scottsburg, IN Carnegie Library From the historic marker: Scott County Board of Commissioners appointed a library board 1917 in response to citizen petitions for a public library. Library board sought Carnegie grant for funding assistance. locally $7,500 was raised; Carnegie grant of $12,500 was added. Library opened and had 4,453 volumes in 1921. Structure of brick and limestone designed by Clifford Shopbell & Co. in Renaissance Revival style; 1986 addition designed by Pecsok, Jelliffe, Randall & Nice. One of 1,679 libraries built in U.S. with funds from Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Indiana built more Carnegie libraries that any other state.
American Baptist College Library The The T.L. Holcomb and Susie McClure Library was built in 1954. This building is a contributing building to the American Baptist Theological Seminary Historic District listing on the National Register of Historic Places. For more info, check this detailed listing on the NRHP website: www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/13000399.pdf
East Branch Carnegie Library - Nashville library.nashville.org/locations/east-branch The fourth of the original Carnegie libraries in Nashville, East was praised as an architectural gem when it opened on May 8, 1919. Having survived floods and tornadoes, East was beautifully restored in 2000 to reverse modern renovations made in the 1960s. The building features a limestone exterior, a marble foyer, large chandeliers, oak tables and chairs. East Branch Library is a Metro Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. North Branch Library is the only other surviving Carnegie public library building in Nashville. Brent's note: There is also a former Carnegie Library building on the Fisk University campus. This one is on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the East Nashville Historic District. Here is their writeup: The East Branch Library was designed by New York architect Albert Randolph Ross and built in 1919. Mr. Ross had designed a number of other Carnegie libraries, and this one is typical of the type. The rectangular building sits on a high basement which is completely above grade at the rear. A projecting pedimented entrance pavilion at the center of the north façade has an engaged pier and Tuscan column at each corner. The door is set a half flight up from grade, between the basement and main floor levels, interrupting the water table which rings the building atop the rusticated basement. The original front door has been replaced by an aluminum and glass door of recent vintage. Rusticated pilasters at all corners rise to an entablature with a projecting cornice which also rings the building. A parapet sits above the cornice almost hiding the hip roof. The parapet stairsteps over the entrance pediment, and an urn is set atop it at either corner of the projecting pavilion.
Carnegie Library - Vienna, IL en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Public_Library The Vienna Public Library, also known as Vienna Carnegie Library, is a Carnegie library at 401 Poplar St. in Vienna, Illinois. It was built in 1911 with a $5000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation. The brick building, designed by local architect Thomas Clymer, features a tall flight of stairs leading to the front entrance; two pilasters flank the staircase. The building provided a permanent home for Vienna's library program, which was established in 1895 and had rotated through a number of local buildings prior to 1911. County medical services have also been based in the library: The American Red Cross used the building as its headquarters during a 1917 influenza outbreak, and a trachoma clinic operated in the basement from 1936 to 1964. The building has also been used as a gym, a headquarters for city services, and a meeting place for several women's organizations and the Johnson County Historical Society. The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 24, 1995. It is one of two buildings on the National Register in Johnson County, along with the Johnson County Courthouse.
Carnegie Library - Chattanooga Today, this is called Carnegie Building and is home to Cumberland Title & Guaranty Co. From Wikipedia: The Old Library Building at 200 E. 8th St. in Chattanooga, TN is a Carnegie library building which was built in 1904. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It was designed by architect Reuben Harrison Hunt in Classical Revival style. It was the first building specifically designed as a library in Chattanooga, although there has been a library in the city since 1867. It was built with a $50,000 Carnegie grant. It was part of the Chattanooga Public Library system.
Train Station - Grand Saline, TX The passenger depot built by Texas & Pacific is now used as a Library. The greenish color is new as the primary color was yellow decade ago.
J.W. Price Fire Hall - Nashville, TN Located along Charles E. Davis Boulevard in the Napier area of Nashville Text of the historic marker: Constructed in 1892 for Hose Company #1, this building is one of the earliest extant fire halls in Nashville. The upstairs housed firefighters while the lower floor stabled the company's two horses. R. C. Burk served as the first Captain. The fire hall was renamed for J.W. Price, a local businessman, c1910. In 1993, the building reopened as a branch of the Nashville Public Library, and is named for State Legislators Charles and Mary Pruitt.
Carnegie Library - Spencer, IN en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Public_Library The old Spencer Public Library is a former public library and historic Carnegie library located at Spencer, Owen County, Indiana. It was built in 1912, and is a one-story, three-bay, American Craftsman style brick building on a raised basement. It has a low-pitched hipped roof and projecting entry bay. It was constructed with a $10,000 grant provided by the Carnegie Foundation. The building ceased its function as a public library in 1997. The Owen County Heritage & Culture Center occupies the space today. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Oliver Springs Depot Text from the Oliver Springs Historical Society: oshistorical.com/southern-railroad-depot Built c. 1893, the Oliver Springs Depot was one of the busiest of the Coster Division. Its popularity grew along with the nationally known Oliver Springs Resort Hotel and nearby coal production. This building is a small-frame style, one story structure. Original interior wood has writing still visible from 123 years ago. It features gabbles and large overhangs. The last passenger train pulled through the depot in 1968. In 1983 Southern Railway planned to demolish the structure. The town rallied for saving this historic remnant and eventually struck a deal with Southern Railway, provided it would be removed from the site and relocated elsewhere. In 1986, the citizens of Oliver Springs were able to have the building moved across the street with the help of TVA. The depot is currently home to the Oliver Springs Library and Museum operated by the Oliver Springs Historical Society. The outside paint is lead-based and needs containment and new paint. Roof repairs and water drainage are also issues. The town has little funding to make repairs and it is the only library and source for internet connection for many citizens. Time is of the essence. The town is applying for a TDOT Enhancement Grant to help make repairs. Repairs need to be made to ensure the structure has a future in the community. The depot has been on the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance Endangered 8 List since 2016. It's our wish that it can be removed in 2018.
George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Located next to Southern Methodist University in Dallas
Harper Memorial Library Maryville, TN. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Chattanooga Library Fountain In front of the new downtown Chattanooga Library is this fountain, which is water streaming down large metal books. They probably wouldn't like it if you treated their actual books this way. Hello to anyone who found this here: anonyme-bookoholiker.de/blog/?p=11185
Carmichael Library Addition This Library from an old house is along Ocoee Street just a couple of blocks north of the town Square. It's either part of or next door to Lee University.
Spring City, TN Depot The brick passenger train station in Spring City, TN was built by Queen and Crescent Railroad in 1908 along the line to connect Cincinnati and New Orleans. Later, this railway became a part of Southern Railway. A friend of mine lived in Spring City for a short while, and he remembers the building was used as a library then. Today, it is home to the local chamber of commerce in one half and a museum in the other side.
Spring City, TN Passenger Depot The brick passenger train station in Spring City, TN was built by Queen and Crescent Railroad in 1908 along the line to connect Cincinnati and New Orleans. Later, this railway became a part of Southern Railway. A friend of mine lived in Spring City for a short while, and he remembers the building was used as a library then. Today, it is home to the local chamber of commerce in one half and a museum in the other side.
Carnegie Library (alt) - Jeffersonville, IN The library is located in a part of the Old Jeffersonville National Register District with particular historical significance to the city of Jeffersonville. Once the site of a bakery complex that produced hardtack for Union soldiers during the Civil War, the park was established in 1887 to honor Luther F. Warder, then mayor of Jeffersonville. The former library that is the central feature of the park was one of the early Carnegie libraries, built before the loan system were changed to preclude the building of over elaborate buildings such as the one seen here. The library, built in 1903 in Neo-Classical style, was designed by Arthur Loomis, a nationally respected architect with the firm of Clarke & Loomis. Loomis was a Jeffersonville native. The building features a small bronze dome. Once used to house classes for Indiana University Southeast, the building was later purchased by a group dedicated to the preservation of local historic buildings, Jeff-Clark Preservation, Inc., which used it for a time as a local history museum. Most recently, the building has been rededicated to house the Remnant Trust collection of rare books and documents.
Carnegie Library - Jeffersonville, IN The library is located in a part of the Old Jeffersonville National Register District with particular historical significance to the city of Jeffersonville. Once the site of a bakery complex that produced hardtack for Union soldiers during the Civil War, the park was established in 1887 to honor Luther F. Warder, then mayor of Jeffersonville. The former library that is the central feature of the park was one of the early Carnegie libraries, built before the loan system were changed to preclude the building of over elaborate buildings such as the one seen here. The library, built in 1903 in Neo-Classical style, was designed by Arthur Loomis, a nationally respected architect with the firm of Clarke & Loomis. Loomis was a Jeffersonville native. The building features a small bronze dome. Once used to house classes for Indiana University Southeast, the building was later purchased by a group dedicated to the preservation of local historic buildings, Jeff-Clark Preservation, Inc., which used it for a time as a local history museum. Most recently, the building has been rededicated to house the Remnant Trust collection of rare books and documents.
Carnegie Library - Harriman, TN "For the good of all." This library was built in 1909. It still has it's 100th Anniversary banner hung above the main entrance. Today, the building also serves as the town's visitor's center. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Roane Street Commercial Historic District.
McMinnville Main St. at night Of interest in this photo are the First Methodist Church and the Magness Community House & Library. Dating from 1886, the First Methodist Church was built from bricks fired to construct the Great Falls Cotton Mill at Rock Island. Stained glass windows and original oak pews have been retained even though several additions to the rear of the church have been made over the years. W. H. Magness, Jr. (1865-1936) was a co-founder and the first president of the National Bank of McMinnville in 1874, which became First National Bank in 1905. He was the city's foremost philanthropist, and donated the land and construction cost for this classic and dignified cut-stone building. It was built in 1931 at a cost of $40,000, and is named in honor of the father and brother of Mr. Magness
Templeton Library - Sewanee, TN The Templeton Library in Sewanee was built to be a philanthropic endeavor by John Templeton. He was an important and influential businessman and stock market investor who lived in the area. The Library never actually had any books here and it was converted into condominiums. (Draw your own conclusions.) The notable thing about this building to me is it's what you see if you're driving from Cowan to Sewanee. There's a long straight drive along US41A right before the ascent up the mountain and the back of this building is at the top of the hill here. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/countryside-hidden-gems... 15 Hidden Gems Along The Tennessee Countryside That Are So Worth The Drive or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/templeton-library-tn/ The Strange Story Behind This Popular Tennessee Library Will Give You Chills
Templeton Library - Sewanee, TN The Templeton Library in Sewanee was built to be a philanthropic endeavor by John Templeton. He was an important and influential businessman and stock market investor who lived in the area. The Library never actually had any books here and it was converted into condominiums. (Draw your own conclusions.) The notable thing about this building to me is it's what you see if you're driving from Cowan to Sewanee. There's a long straight drive along US41A right before the ascent up the mountain and the back of this building is at the top of the hill here. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/templeton-library-tn/ The Strange Story Behind This Popular Tennessee Library Will Give You Chills
Carnegie Center for Arts and History - Jackson, TN This Library in downtown Jackson was open from 1903 until 1968. Today, it operates as a Civil War Museum and For the Arts or Meeting space. From their website: The Carnegie Center for Arts and History, located in downtown Jackson, opened in 1903 as the Jackson Free Library. It was the town's first library, financed by Jackson City Council funds and a matching $30,000 grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The building fell into disrepair after the newer Jackson-Madison County Library replaced it until 1987 when The Jackson Recreation and Parks Department restored the Carnegie to its original beauty. www.thecarnegiecenter.net/about_us On the left in the lawn is a large stone, which appears to be the cornerstone from the old City Hall.
