List of Carnegie libraries in Minnesota
The following list of Carnegie libraries in Minnesota provides detailed information on Carnegie libraries in Minnesota , United States, where 65 public libraries were built from 57[ 1] grants (totaling $969,375) awarded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York from 1901 to 1918. In addition, Hamline University in Saint Paul was awarded a $30,000 grant on March 12, 1906, to construct an academic library. In Minnesota grants were given between 1899 and 1918.[ 2]
Of Minnesota's 66 original Carnegie libraries, 48 are still standing. 25 continue to house public libraries while others have been adapted into art centers or office space. Of the 18 lost libraries, one burned down and the rest were demolished, often because they were unworkably deficient in handicap accessibility . 38 of the surviving libraries are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).[ 2]
Key
Building still operating as a library
Building standing, but now serving another purpose
Building no longer standing
Building listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Building contributes to a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places
Public libraries
Library
City or town
Image
Date granted[ 3]
Grant amount[ 3] [ 4]
Location[ 2]
Notes[ 2]
1
Aitkin
Aitkin
Apr 23, 1908
$6,500
121 2nd St NW46°31′59.31″N 93°42′33.55″W / 46.5331417°N 93.7093194°W / 46.5331417; -93.7093194 (Aitkin Carnegie Library )
1911 library, now an art center.[ 5]
2
Albert Lea
Albert Lea
Apr 11, 1902
$13,000
146 College St W43°38′49.58″N 93°22′11.02″W / 43.6471056°N 93.3697278°W / 43.6471056; -93.3697278 (Albert Lea Carnegie Library )
Built 1903, now offices.
3
Alexandria
Alexandria
Feb 2, 1903
$12,000
7th Ave W & Filmore St45°53′6.25″N 95°22′43.75″W / 45.8850694°N 95.3788194°W / 45.8850694; -95.3788194 (Alexandria Public Library )
Built 1903, now offices.
4
Anoka
Anoka
Mar 27, 1903
$12,500
Demolished
Built 1904, razed 1965.
5
Austin
Austin
Oct 3, 1901
$15,000
Demolished
Built 1904, razed 1996.
6
Bemidji
Bemidji
Feb 10, 1908
$12,500
426 Bemidji Ave47°28′21.63″N 94°52′46.13″W / 47.4726750°N 94.8794806°W / 47.4726750; -94.8794806 (Bemidji Carnegie Library )
Built 1909, now an art gallery.
7
Benson
Benson
Apr 3, 1912
$7,500
Demolished
Built 1913, razed 1994.
8
Brainerd
Brainerd
Jan 6, 1903
$12,000
206 7th St N46°21′30.16″N 94°11′55.91″W / 46.3583778°N 94.1988639°W / 46.3583778; -94.1988639 (Brainerd Public Library )
Built 1904, now offices.
9
Browns Valley
Browns Valley
Jan 31, 1914
$5,500
Broadway Ave & 2nd St45°35′42.13″N 96°49′51.03″W / 45.5950361°N 96.8308417°W / 45.5950361; -96.8308417 (Browns Valley Carnegie Public Library )
Built 1915.
10
Chatfield
Chatfield
Jul 9, 1913
$6,000
314 Main St S43°50′40.86″N 92°11′14.44″W / 43.8446833°N 92.1873444°W / 43.8446833; -92.1873444 (Chatfield Public Library )
Built 1915, still houses public library.
11
Coleraine
Coleraine
Dec 16, 1908
$15,000
203 Cole Ave47°17′14.03″N 93°25′27.45″W / 47.2872306°N 93.4242917°W / 47.2872306; -93.4242917 (Coleraine Carnegie Library )
Built 1910, still houses public library.
12
Crookston
Crookston
Nov 25, 1903
$17,500
110 N. Ash St.47°46′25.43″N 96°36′17.52″W / 47.7737306°N 96.6048667°W / 47.7737306; -96.6048667 (Crookstone Carnegie Public Library )
Built 1907.
13
Dawson
Dawson
Mar 31, 1916
$9,000
677 Pine St44°55′43.35″N 96°3′20.42″W / 44.9287083°N 96.0556722°W / 44.9287083; -96.0556722 (Dawson Carnegie Library )
Built 1918, now offices.
14
Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes
Dec 23, 1911
$10,000
1000 Washington Ave46°48′56.27″N 95°50′45.01″W / 46.8156306°N 95.8458361°W / 46.8156306; -95.8458361 (Detroit Lakes Carnegie Library )
Built 1913, still houses public library.
15
Duluth (Main)
Duluth
Oct 7, 1899
$75,000
101 2nd St W46°47′14.33″N 92°6′8.13″W / 46.7873139°N 92.1022583°W / 46.7873139; -92.1022583 (Duluth Public Library (Main) )
Built 1902, closed 1980.
16
Duluth Lincoln
Duluth
Oct 7, 1899
$30,000
2227 W 2nd St46°46′0.12″N 92°7′44.45″W / 46.7667000°N 92.1290139°W / 46.7667000; -92.1290139 (Lincoln Branch Library )
Built 1917, now an art institute.
17
Duluth West Duluth
Duluth
Oct 7, 1899
$20,000
Demolished
Built 1912, razed 1992.
18
Eveleth
Eveleth
Feb 20, 1911
$15,000
614 Pierce St47°27′44.69″N 92°32′8.4″W / 47.4624139°N 92.535667°W / 47.4624139; -92.535667 (Eveleth Carnegie Library )
Built 1914, still houses public library.
19
Fairmont
Fairmont
Feb 12, 1903
$10,000
Demolished
Built 1904, razed 1968.
20
Fergus Falls
Fergus Falls
Feb 20, 1904
$21,475
121 Union St N46°17′3.52″N 96°4′41.29″W / 46.2843111°N 96.0781361°W / 46.2843111; -96.0781361 (Fergus Falls Carnegie Library )
Built 1905, now offices.
21
Glenwood
Glenwood
May 2, 1907
$10,000
108 1st Ave SE45°38′56.78″N 95°23′17.29″W / 45.6491056°N 95.3881361°W / 45.6491056; -95.3881361 (Glenwood Public Library )
Built 1908, still houses public library.
22
Graceville
Graceville
May 21, 1913
$7,000
Demolished
Built 1915, razed 1999.
23
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids
Jan 19, 1905
$10,000
21 5th St NE
Built 1905, now offices.
24
Hibbing
Hibbing
Apr 23, 1906
$25,000
Demolished
Built 1908, razed in the 1950s.
25
Hutchinson
Hutchinson
Apr 13, 1903
$12,500
50 Hassan St SE44°53′30.06″N 94°22′5.5″W / 44.8916833°N 94.368194°W / 44.8916833; -94.368194 (Hutchinson Carnegie Library )
Built 1904, still houses public library.
26
Janesville
Janesville
May 2, 1911
$5,000
102 2nd St W44°7′3″N 93°42′28.34″W / 44.11750°N 93.7078722°W / 44.11750; -93.7078722 (Janesville Free Public Library )
Built 1912, still houses public library.
27
Lake City
Lake City
Nov 7, 1917
$13,000
Demolished
Built 1917, razed 1967.
28
Litchfield
Litchfield
Feb 12, 1903
$10,000
201 Sibley Ave S45°7′29.12″N 94°31′40.13″W / 45.1247556°N 94.5278139°W / 45.1247556; -94.5278139 (Litchfield Carnegie Library )
Built 1904, now commercial space.
29
Little Falls
Little Falls
Mar 14, 1902
$10,000
108 3rd St NE45°58′36.08″N 94°21′31.32″W / 45.9766889°N 94.3587000°W / 45.9766889; -94.3587000 (Little Falls Carnegie Library )
Built 1904, still houses public library.
30
Luverne
Luverne
Mar 27, 1903
$10,000
205 Freeman Ave N43°39′19.86″N 96°12′35.69″W / 43.6555167°N 96.2099139°W / 43.6555167; -96.2099139 (Luverne Carnegie Library )
Built 1904, now an art center.
31
Madison
Madison
Feb 1, 1905
$8,000
401 6th Ave45°0′44.9″N 96°11′36.58″W / 45.012472°N 96.1934944°W / 45.012472; -96.1934944 (Madison Carnegie Library )
Built 1905, still houses public library.
32
Mankato
Mankato
Feb 6, 1901
$40,000
120 Broad Rd S44°9′56.86″N 94°0′3.56″W / 44.1657944°N 94.0009889°W / 44.1657944; -94.0009889 (Mankato Public Library and Reading Room )
Built 1902, now an art center.
33
Mapleton
Mapleton
Mar 25, 1905
$5,000
104 1st Ave NE43°55′42.78″N 93°57′28.03″W / 43.9285500°N 93.9577861°W / 43.9285500; -93.9577861 (Mapleton Public Library )
Built 1910, still houses public library.
34
Marshall
Marshall
Feb 12, 1903
$10,000
Demolished
Built 1904, razed 1966.
35
Minneapolis Central Avenue
Minneapolis
Apr 3, 1912
$125,000
Demolished
Built 1915, razed 1971.
36
Minneapolis Franklin
Minneapolis
Apr 3, 1912
—
1314 Franklin Ave E44°57′46.74″N 93°15′21.06″W / 44.9629833°N 93.2558500°W / 44.9629833; -93.2558500 (Franklin Community Library )
Built 1914, still houses public library.
37
Minneapolis Hosmer
Minneapolis
Apr 3, 1912
—
347 36th St E44°56′15.05″N 93°16′13.97″W / 44.9375139°N 93.2705472°W / 44.9375139; -93.2705472 (Hosmer Community Library )
Built 1916, still houses public library.
38
Minneapolis Sumner
Minneapolis
Apr 3, 1912
—
611 VanWhite Memorial Blvd44°59′5.18″N 93°17′40.43″W / 44.9847722°N 93.2945639°W / 44.9847722; -93.2945639 (Sumner Community Library )
Built 1915, still houses public library.
39
Montevideo
Montevideo
Dec 16, 1905
$10,000
125 3rd St N44°56′47.3″N 95°43′24.44″W / 44.946472°N 95.7234556°W / 44.946472; -95.7234556 (Montevideo Carnegie Library )
Built 1906, now community space.
40
Moorhead
Moorhead
Feb 29, 1904
$12,000
Demolished
Built 1906, razed 1963.
41
Morris
Morris
Dec 4, 1903
$10,000
Nevada Ave & 6th St45°35′8.66″N 95°55′4.11″W / 45.5857389°N 95.9178083°W / 45.5857389; -95.9178083 (Morris Carnegie Library )
Built 1905, now the Stevens County Historical Society.
42
Mountain Iron
Mountain Iron
Jan 14, 1914
$8,000
5742 Mountain Ave47°31′58.21″N 92°37′18.67″W / 47.5328361°N 92.6218528°W / 47.5328361; -92.6218528 (Mountain Iron Carnegie Library )
Built 1915, still houses public library.
43
Northfield
Northfield
Jan 8, 1908
$10,000
210 Washington St44°27′27.57″N 93°9′32.48″W / 44.4576583°N 93.1590222°W / 44.4576583; -93.1590222 (Northfield Public Library )
Built 1910, still houses public library.
44
Ortonville
Ortonville
Aug 11, 1913
$10,000
412 2nd St NW45°18′30.5″N 96°26′53.62″W / 45.308472°N 96.4482278°W / 45.308472; -96.4482278 (Ortonville Free Library )
Built 1915, still houses public library.
45
Park Rapids
Park Rapids
May 8, 1908
$5,000
101 2nd St W46°55′16.9″N 95°3′32.01″W / 46.921361°N 95.0588917°W / 46.921361; -95.0588917 (Park Rapids Carnegie Library )
Open 1910–1994, now houses a museum.[ 6]
46
Pipestone
Pipestone
Mar 22, 1903
$10,000
217 Hiawatha Ave S43°59′54.81″N 96°19′2.47″W / 43.9985583°N 96.3173528°W / 43.9985583; -96.3173528 (Pipestone Public Library )
Built 1904. Closed as unsafe. Needs $450K to $500K of repairs.[ 7]
47
Preston
Preston
Dec 2, 1909
$8,000
101 Saint Paul St NW43°40′12.4″N 92°5′1.17″W / 43.670111°N 92.0836583°W / 43.670111; -92.0836583 (Preston Public Library )
Built 1909, still houses public library.
48
Red Wing
Red Wing
Dec 14, 1901
$17,000
Demolished
Built 1903, razed 1968.
49
Redwood Falls
Redwood Falls
Nov 25, 1903
$10,000
334 Jefferson St S44°32′20.24″N 95°6′59.78″W / 44.5389556°N 95.1166056°W / 44.5389556; -95.1166056 (Redwood Falls Carnegie Library )
Housed library 1904–1995, now private business offices.[ 8]
50
St. Cloud
St. Cloud
Feb 16, 1901
$25,000
Demolished
Built 1902, razed 1981.
51
St. Paul Arlington Hills
St. Paul
May 8, 1914
$75,000
1105 Greenbrier St44°58′28.23″N 93°4′16.89″W / 44.9745083°N 93.0713583°W / 44.9745083; -93.0713583 (Arlington Hills Library )
Housed public library 1917–2014.
52
St. Paul Riverview
St. Paul
May 8, 1914
—
1 E George St44°55′47.69″N 93°5′5.01″W / 44.9299139°N 93.0847250°W / 44.9299139; -93.0847250 (Riverview Branch Library )
Built 1917, still houses public library.
53
St. Paul St. Anthony Park
St. Paul
May 8, 1914
—
2245 Como Ave W44°58′51.56″N 93°11′36.88″W / 44.9809889°N 93.1935778°W / 44.9809889; -93.1935778 (St. Anthony Park Branch Library )
Built 1917, still houses public library.
54
St. Peter
St. Peter
Jan 6, 1903
$10,000
429 Minnesota Ave S44°19′20.94″N 93°57′29.35″W / 44.3224833°N 93.9581528°W / 44.3224833; -93.9581528 (St. Peter Carnegie Library )
Built 1904, now offices and retail, including a halal market.
55
Sauk Centre
Sauk Centre
Feb 12, 1903
$11,000
430 Main St S45°44′5.72″N 94°57′8.31″W / 45.7349222°N 94.9523083°W / 45.7349222; -94.9523083 (Sauk Centre Carnegie Library )
Built 1904, now a public library and art center.
56
Spring Valley
Spring Valley
Mar 27, 1903
$8,000
201 Broadway Ave S43°41′12.19″N 92°23′26.5″W / 43.6867194°N 92.390694°W / 43.6867194; -92.390694 (Spring Valley Carnegie Library )
Built 1904, now city offices.
57
Stillwater
Stillwater
Jul 3, 1901
$27,500
224 3rd St N45°3′27.12″N 92°48′37.12″W / 45.0575333°N 92.8103111°W / 45.0575333; -92.8103111 (Stillwater Carnegie Library )
Built 1902, still houses public library.
58
Thief River Falls
Thief River Falls
Jan 31, 1914
$12,500
102 Main Ave S48°7′2.18″N 96°10′52.08″W / 48.1172722°N 96.1811333°W / 48.1172722; -96.1811333 (Thief River Falls Public Library )
Built 1914, now county offices.
59
Two Harbors
Two Harbors
Feb 10, 1908
$15,000
320 Waterfront Dr47°1′21.19″N 91°40′14.32″W / 47.0225528°N 91.6706444°W / 47.0225528; -91.6706444 (Two Harbors Carnegie Library )
Built 1909, still houses public library.
60
Virginia
Virginia
Dec 20, 1904
$10,000
Demolished
Built 1907, razed 1953.
61
Walker
Walker
Apr 8, 1910
$6,500
Demolished
Built 1910, burned down 1976.
62
White Bear
White Bear
Jul 13, 1912
$5,000
Demolished
Built 1914, razed 1973.
63
Willmar
Willmar
Jan 13, 1903
$11,000
Demolished
Built 1904, razed 1967.
64
Worthington
Worthington
Jun 1, 1903
$10,000
Demolished
Built 1905, razed 1966.
65
Zumbrota
Zumbrota
Nov 27, 1906
$6,500
320 East Avenue44°17′38.19″N 92°40′5.49″W / 44.2939417°N 92.6681917°W / 44.2939417; -92.6681917 (Zumbrota Carnegie Library )
Built 1908, now an art center.
Academic libraries
Notes
^ Jones erroneously reports this number as 64, while Bobinski reports the number of grants at 58. However, Jones lists 65 public libraries in his gazetteer, and Anderson lists 57 grants.
^ a b c d e f Clemens, Kevin (2011). Carnegie Libraries of Minnesota . Lake Elmo, Minn.: Demontreville Press, Inc. ISBN 978-0-9789563-7-0 .
^ a b c d At various times, Bobinski and Jones disagree on these numbers. In these cases, Jones' numbers have been used due to both a more recent publication date and a more detailed gazetteer of branch libraries, which are often where the discrepancies occur.
^ a b Grants for multiple libraries (Minneapolis and St. Paul) are listed only by their total amount, not broken down for each branch (excepting Duluth, for which individuals amounts are known).
^ "Jacques Art Center" . Jacques Art Center. Retrieved 2020-03-03 .
^ "Giiwedinong Treaty Rights & Culture Museum" . Retrieved 2024-01-24 .
^ "City council discusses options for historic Carnegie Library building - Pipestone County Star" . 12 November 2020.
^ "About the Library" . Redwood County Public Library. 2009. Retrieved 2012-09-05 .
^ "Giddens Learning Center" . Hamline University. 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-25 .
References
Anderson, Florence (1963). Carnegie Corporation Library Program 1911–1961 . New York: Carnegie Corporation. OCLC 1282382 .
Bobinski, George S. (1969). Carnegie Libraries: Their History and Impact on American Public Library Development . Chicago: American Library Association. ISBN 0-8389-0022-4 .
Clemens, Kevin (2011). Carnegie Libraries of Minnesota . Lake Elmo, Minn.: Demontreville Press, Inc. ISBN 978-0-9789563-7-0 .
Jones, Theodore (1997). Carnegie Libraries Across America . New York: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0-471-14422-3 .
Miller, Durand R. (1943). Carnegie Grants for Library Buildings, 1890-1917 . New York: Carnegie Corporation of New York. OCLC 2603611 .
Note: The above references, while all authoritative, are not entirely mutually consistent. Some details of this list may have been drawn from one of the references without support from the others. Reader discretion is advised.
External links