Ballinger Carnegie Library

Ballinger Carnegie Library
Location204 N. 8th St., Ballinger, Texas
Coordinates31°44′23″N 99°56′59″W / 31.73972°N 99.94972°W / 31.73972; -99.94972 (Ballinger Carnegie Library)
Area1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built1909
Built byLeslie, J.D.
Architectural styleVernacular Classical Revival
NRHP reference No.75002002[1]
Added to NRHPJune 18, 1975

The Ballinger Carnegie Library, at 204 N. 8th St. in Ballinger, Texas, is a Carnegie library which was built in 1909. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.[1] It is one of only five Carnegie Libraries in Texas, out of 32 built, to remain in use as a public library.[2]

It is built in "a vernacular version" of Classical Revival style. Its most prominent feature is a two-story portico.[3]

After construction of a one-story building was started, it was redesigned to add a second floor auditorium. Additional funding from the Carnegie Foundation was sought and denied, but followups led to another check from Andrew Carnegie.[3]

The building, in addition to serving as the library, was an important cultural center for the community. In early years it was run by members of a Shakespeare club, and was later taken over by an American Legion group.[3]

It is a Texas State Antiquities Landmark and a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "Carnegie Library". City of Ballinger. City of Ballinger. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Joe R. Williams; Marie Landon; Steve Smith (May 1, 1975). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Ballinger Carnegie Library". National Archives. Retrieved May 27, 2018. With two photos from 1975. Downloading may be slow.