Carnegie Public Library (Escanaba, Michigan)

Escanaba Public Library
Location201 S. 7th St., Escanaba, Michigan
Coordinates45°44′39″N 87°3′22″W / 45.74417°N 87.05611°W / 45.74417; -87.05611
Area< one acre
Built1902
ArchitectTheodore Lohff
Architectural styleClassical Revival
Part ofEscanaba Central Historic District (ID14000123)
NRHP reference No.77000712[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 25, 1977
Designated MSHSJanuary 16, 1976[2]

The Escanaba Public Library was a Carnegie library located at 201 South Seventh Street in Escanaba, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977[1] and designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1976.[2]

History

The Escanaba Public Library was constructed with $20,000[3] in funds donated by Andrew Carnegie.[2] The city of Escanaba promised additional yearly operation funds.[3] The building was designed by local architect Theodore Lohff.[2] The Carnegie library opened in May 1903.[2]

In 1992, the city began construction on a new city hall and library complex.[3] The library moved to the new location in 1995,[3] and the old Carnegie building was sold to private owners, who refurbished it with the intention of converting it into a private home.[4]

Description

The Escanaba Public Library is a one-story Classical Revival building constructed of red brick and Lake Superior Sandstone.[2] It sits on a rough-faced stone foundation.[2] The front facade has a portico entrance with an entablature and pediment supported by four Ionic columns.[2] Windows flanked by pilasters and topped with lintels lighten the mass of the building.[2] The building is topped with a cornice and pediments on each side;[2] a balustrade which originally ran between the pediments was removed in 1928.[4] A low dome originally topped building; it was removed in 1958.[2] An upper dome still is in place.[4] The rear of the building is of simpler design, constructed of brick and containing simple windows with stone sills.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Carnegie Public Library". Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d "History of the Escanaba Public Library". Escanaba Public Library. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c Dionna Harris (May 3, 2008). "Work continues on old Esky library". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.