Public Libraries – Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project

Waverly Public Library

Location

Current street address: 1500 W. Bremer Ave. Waverly, IA 50677

Carnegie address:

Original building still standing: No

Still in use as a library: No

Carnegie Grant Information

Date of Grant: February 20, 1903¹

Amount of Grant: $10,000.00¹

Cornerstone Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Opening Date: January 26, 1905²

Carnegie Correspondent: P. M. Smock, County Supervisor.

Librarian, at Dedication: Mrs. Mary B. Whitmire³

Architect: Murphy and Ralston Architects, Waterloo, IA

Contractor:

Building Style:

Building Size: 55' 8" x 41'

Building Description: "It is a one story building with finished basement, built of pressed brick with cut Bedford stone trimmings"²

Sources:

¹CCNYR, reel 33. ²RILC, 1907, p.55. ³ILC, 1910, 6.8, p.127.

Town & County

City: Waverly

County: Bremer County

Population in 1900: 3,177

Population in 2010: 9,874

Town/County Images:

Sources:

Twelfth Census of the United States 1900. p. 451.

Waverly is the county seat of Bremer County, which was established on January 15, 1851. Bremer County was named in honor of Frederika Bremer (1801-1865), a Swedish author and poet. In 1853, Waverly became the county seat, three years after it was first settled.

(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 41.)

Carnegie/Bertram/Franks Correspondence

Architectural Blueprints

Architect/Builder/Contractor Documents

Construction Documents

Images

Library History Documents (Reports, Newspapers, etc.)

Library Board Materials (Meetings, Forms, etc.)

Facilities (Building Maintenance)

Operations (Library Service Expenses)

Librarian & Accession Books

Townspeople

History

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Waterloo Public Library (West Side)

Location

Current street address: 528 W. 4th St., Waterloo, IA 50701

Carnegie address: 528 W. 4th St., Waterloo, IA 50701

Original building still standing: Yes

Still in use as a library: No

Carnegie Grant Information

Date of Grant: April 11, 1902¹

Amount of Grant: $21,000.00¹

Cornerstone Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Opening Date: Friday, February 23, 1906, Y.M.C.A. Auditorium, 8:00pm²

Carnegie Correspondent: Mr. Emmons Johnson¹

Librarian, at Dedication: Mrs. J.M. Brainard and Miss Mary Brainard²

Architect: J. G. Ralston, Waterloo

Contractor:

Building Style:

Building Size: 56 x 67 ft.²

Building Description: "... while the west side building is built of pressed brick trimmed with Bedford Sandstone."²

Sources:

¹CCNYR, reel 33. ²ILQ, Apr. 1906, 5(6), pp.93-94.

Town & County

City: Waterloo

County: Black Hawk County

Population in 1900: 12,580

Population in 2010: 68,406

Town/County Images:

Sources:

Twelfth Census of the United States â€” 1900. p. 451.

Waterloo is the county seat of Black Hawk County, which was established on February 17, 1843. The county was named for Chief Black Hawk of the Fox and Sac Tribes. In 1851, the county seat was situated at Cedar Falls. In 1855, the county seat was moved to Waterloo as a more central location for the county. Black Hawk County received two Carnegie grants for the towns of Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Waterloo received additional Carnegie funding so that libraries could be built on both sides of the Cedar River.

(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 35.)

Carnegie/Bertram/Franks Correspondence

Architectural Blueprints

Architect/Builder/Contractor Documents

Construction Documents

Images

Library History Documents (Reports, Newspapers, etc.)

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Waterloo Public Library (East Side)

Location

Current street address: 626 Mulberry Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703

Carnegie address: 626 Mulberry Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703

Original building still standing: Yes

Still in use as a library: No

Carnegie Grant Information

Date of Grant: April 11, 1902¹

Amount of Grant: $24,000.00¹

Cornerstone Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Opening Date: Friday, February 23, 1906, Y.M.C.A. Auditorium, 8:00pm²

Carnegie Correspondent: Mr. Emmons Johnson¹

Librarian, at Dedication: Miss Georgetta Bankson and Miss Flora Cutler²

Architect: J. G. Ralston, Waterloo

Contractor:

Building Style:

Building Size: 46 x 80 ft.²

Building Description: "... the east side building is built entirely of Bedford, (Ind.) Sandstone,..."²

Sources:

¹CCNYR, reel 33. ²ILQ, Apr. 1906, 5(6), pp.93-94.

Town & County

City: Waterloo

County: Black Hawk County

Population in 1900: 12,580

Population in 2010: 68,406

Town/County Images:

Sources:

Twelfth Census of the United States â€” 1900. p. 451.

(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 35.)

Carnegie/Bertram/Franks Correspondence

Architectural Blueprints

Architect/Builder/Contractor Documents

Construction Documents

Images

Library History Documents (Reports, Newspapers, etc.)

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Facilities (Building Maintenance)

Operations (Library Service Expenses)

Librarian & Accession Books

Townspeople

History

Vinton Public Library

Location

Current street address: 510 Second Ave. Vinton, IA 52349

Carnegie address: 510 Second Ave. Vinton, IA 52349

Original building still standing: Yes

Still in use as a library: Yes

Carnegie Grant Information

Date of Grant: January 22, 1903¹

Amount of Grant: $10,000.00 (initial) + $2,500.00¹

Cornerstone Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Opening Date: Thursday, August 25, 1904, Presbyterian church, 7:30 pm²

Carnegie Correspondent:

Librarian, at Dedication: Mrs. J. R. Adams²

Architect: Patton & Miller, Chicago

Contractor: Smith & Smock, Vinton

Building Style:

Building Size:

Building Description:

Sources:

¹CCNYR, reel 33. ²ILQ, Oct. 1904, 4(4), p.62.

Town & County

City: Vinton

County: Benton County

Population in 1900: 3,499

Population in 2010: 5,257

Town/County Images:

Sources:

Twelfth Census of the United States â€” 1900. p. 451.

Vinton is the county seat of Benton County, which was established on December 21, 1837. The county was named for the Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858), who supported the westward expansion of the United States. In 1846, the county seat was situated at Northport. Subsequently, the name was changed to Fremont. In 1848, the name was changed again to Vinton.

(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 32.)

Carnegie/Bertram/Franks Correspondence

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Architectural Blueprints

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Architect/Builder/Contractor Documents

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Construction Documents

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Images

Library History Documents (Reports, Newspapers, etc.)

Library Board Materials (Meetings, Forms, etc.)

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Facilities (Building Maintenance)

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Operations (Library Service Expenses)

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Villisca Public Library

Location

Current street address: 204 S. Third St. Villisca, IA 50864

Carnegie address: 204 S. Third St. Villisca, IA 50864

Original building still standing: Yes

Still in use as a library: Yes

Carnegie Grant Information

Date of Grant: May 2, 1907¹

Amount of Grant: $10,000.00¹

Cornerstone Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Opening Date: Friday, February 5, 1909, M.E. church, evening²

Carnegie Correspondent: Mary Alger, Library Association

Librarian, at Dedication: Miss Frances Barker²

Architect: O. A. Hougland, Chariton

Contractor:

Building Style:

Building Size: 50' x 38'

Building Description:

Sources:

¹CCNYR, reel 32. ²ILQ, Jan. 1909, 6(1), pp.9-10.

Town & County

City: Villisca

County: Montgomery County

Population in 1900: 2,211

Population in 2010: 1,252

Town/County Images:

Sources:

Twelfth Census of the United States 1900. p. 451.

Villisca is a town in Montgomery County, which was established on January 15, 1851. The county was named in honor of General Richard Montgomery (1738-1775) who was killed during the Revolutionary War. The county seat is located at Red Oak. Montgomery County received two Carnegie grants for the towns of Villisca and Red Oak.

(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, IA; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 236.)

Carnegie/Bertram/Franks Correspondence

Architectural Blueprints

Architect/Builder/Contractor Documents

Construction Documents

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Facilities (Building Maintenance)

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History

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Traer Public Library

Location

Current street address: 531 Second St. Traer, IA 50675

Carnegie address: 531 Second St. Traer, IA 50675

Original building still standing: Yes

Still in use as a library: Yes

Carnegie Grant Information

Date of Grant: June 11, 1914¹

Amount of Grant: $8,000.00 (initial) + $2,000.00¹

Cornerstone Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Opening Date: Friday, March 31, 1916, Library, evening²

Carnegie Correspondent: R. Dennis

Librarian, at Dedication: Miss Marion Hutt²

Architect: J. G. Ralston, Waterloo

Contractor: C.T. Ennis, Toledo

Building Style:

Building Size:

Building Description:

Sources:

¹CCNYR, reel 32. ²ILQ, Jan. 1916, 7(14), pp.223-224.

Town & County

City: Traer

County: Tama County

Population in 1900: 1,458

Population in 2010: 1,703

Town/County Images:

Sources:

Twelfth Census of the United States â€” 1900. p. 451.

Thirteenth Census of the United States â€” 1910. 1,283 population.

Traer is a town in Tama County, which was established on February 17, 1843. The name of the county was derived from a name related to the Fox Tribe, although the specific source is unclear. In 1853, the county seat was situated at Toledo. Tama County received two Carnegie grants for the towns of Traer and Tama.

(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 298.)

Carnegie/Bertram/Franks Correspondence

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Architectural Blueprints

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Architect/Builder/Contractor Documents

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Construction Documents

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Images

Library History Documents (Reports, Newspapers, etc.)

Library Board Materials (Meetings, Forms, etc.)

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Facilities (Building Maintenance)

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Operations (Library Service Expenses)

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Tipton Public Library

Location

Current street address: 206 Cedar St. Tipton, IA 52772

Carnegie address: 206 Cedar St. Tipton, IA 52772

Original building still standing: Yes

Still in use as a library: Yes

Carnegie Grant Information

Date of Grant: January 9, 1902¹

Amount of Grant: $10,000.00¹

Cornerstone Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Opening Date: Saturday, July 16, 1904, on the lawn, afternoon exercises²

Carnegie Correspondent: W. N. Treichler, President of Library Board

Librarian, at Dedication: Mrs. Anna Shaw Yates²

Architect: Mauran, Russell & Garden, St. Louis²

Contractor: M.M. Hall, Cedar Rapids

Building Style: "modified colonial architecture"

Building Size: 55' 2" x 47' 7 3/4"

Building Description:

Sources:

¹CCNYR, reel 31. ²ILQ, July 1904, 4(3), p.47.

Town & County

City: Tipton

County: Cedar County

Population in 1900: 2,513

Population in 2010: 3,059

Town/County Images:

Sources:

Twelfth Census of the United States â€” 1900. p. 451.

Tipton is the county seat of Cedar County, which was established on December 21, 1837. The county was named for the Cedar River that runs through it. In 1840, Tipton was designated as the county seat as it was at the center of the county.

(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 60.)

Carnegie/Bertram/Franks Correspondence

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Architectural Blueprints

Architect/Builder/Contractor Documents

Construction Documents

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Images

Library History Documents (Reports, Newspapers, etc.)

Library Board Materials (Meetings, Forms, etc.)

Facilities (Building Maintenance)

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Operations (Library Service Expenses)

Librarian & Accession Books

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Tama Public Library

Location

Current street address: 401 Siegel St. Tama, IA 52339

Carnegie address:

Original building still standing: Yes

Still in use as a library: No

Carnegie Grant Information

Date of Grant: August 30, 1904¹

Amount of Grant: $7,500.00 (initial) + $500.00¹

Cornerstone Date: August 10, 1906

Opening Date:

Carnegie Correspondent: J. L. Bracken

Librarian, at Dedication: Miss Blanche Stewart

Architect: Joselyn & Taylor, Cedar Rapids

Contractor:

Building Style:

Building Size:

Building Description:

Sources:

¹CCNYR, reel 31.

Town & County

City: Tama

County: Tama County

Population in 1900: 2,649

Population in 2010: 2,877

Town/County Images:

Sources:

Twelfth Census of the United States â€” 1900. p. 451.

Tama is a town in Tama County, which was established on February 17, 1843. The name of the county was derived from a name related to the Fox Tribe, although the specific source is unclear. In 1853, the county seat was situated at Toledo. Tama County received two Carnegie grants for the towns of Tama and Traer.

(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 298.)

Carnegie/Bertram/Franks Correspondence

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Architectural Blueprints

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Architect/Builder/Contractor Documents

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Construction Documents

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Images

Library History Documents (Reports, Newspapers, etc.)

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Facilities (Building Maintenance)

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Operations (Library Service Expenses)

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Stuart Public Library

Location

Current street address: 111 E Front St, Stuart, IA 50250

Carnegie address: 111 NE Front St. Stuart, IA 50250

Original building still standing: No

Still in use as a library: No

Carnegie Grant Information

Date of Grant: November 14, 1906¹

Amount of Grant: 6,000.00 (initial) + 500.00¹

Cornerstone Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Opening Date: Friday, April 3, 1908, Opera House, evening²

Carnegie Correspondent: Mrs. Bates

Librarian, at Dedication: Mrs. J.R. McMullen; Miss Kathryn McMullen²

Architect: Smith, Wetherell & Gage, Des Moines

Contractor:

Building Style:

Building Size: 47' x 28' 2"

Building Description: "It is an attractive brick building..."²

Sources:

¹CCNYR, reel 30. ²ILQ, Apr. 1908, 5(14), pp.217-218.

Town & County

City: Stuart

County: Guthrie County

Population in 1900: 2,079

Population in 2010: 1,648

Town/County Images:

Sources:

Twelfth Census of the United States â€” 1900. p. 451.

Stuart is a town in Guthrie County, which was established on January 15, 1851. The county was named for Captain Edwin B. Guthrie, who died from injuries in the Mexican War. In 1851, the first county seat was established at Panora. In 1860, the county seat was moved to Guthrie Center. In 1862, the county seat was moved back to Panora. In 1873, Guthrie Center again won the vote for the county seat. Guthrie County received two Carnegie grants for the towns of Stuart and Guthrie Center, although Guthrie Center choose not to accept their grant.

(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 136-137.)

Carnegie/Bertram/Franks Correspondence

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Architectural Blueprints

Architect/Builder/Contractor Documents

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Construction Documents

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Library Board Materials (Meetings, Forms, etc.)

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Facilities (Building Maintenance)

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History

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Storm Lake Public Library

Location

Current street address: 609 Cayuga St. Storm Lake, IA 50588

Carnegie address: 200 East 5th Street Storm Lake, IA 50588

Original building still standing: Yes

Still in use as a library: No

Carnegie Grant Information

Date of Grant: December 4, 1903¹

Amount of Grant: $10,000.00¹

Cornerstone Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Opening Date: Saturday, September 29, 1906, Opera House, afternoon ²

Carnegie Correspondent: Lou Thomas, House of Representatives (Washington, D.C.)

Librarian, at Dedication: Miss Ethelyn Baillie ²

Architect: Paul O. Moratz, St. Louis, Missouri

Contractor:

Building Style:

Building Size:

Building Description:

Sources:

¹CCNYR, reel 30. ²ILQ, October 1906, 5(8), p.127.

Town & County

City: Storm Lake

County: Buena Vista County

Population in 1900: 2,169

Population in 2010: 10,600

Town/County Images:

Sources:

Twelfth Census of the United States â€” 1900. p. 451.

Storm Lake is the county seat of Buena Vista County, which was established on January 15, 1851. The county was named for the Mexican War battle in which General Zachary Taylor defeated General Santa Ana. In 1853, the first county seat was established at Prairieville, and then in 1869, the seat was moved to Sioux Rapids. In 1878, the seat was moved again to Storm Lake.

(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 45-46.)