Carnegie Public Library (Escanaba, Michigan)

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]

Escanaba Public Library
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Michigan State Historic Site
Location	201 S. 7th St., Escanaba, Michigan
Coordinates	45°44′39″N 87°3′22″W
Area	< one acre
Built	1902
Architect	Theodore Lohff
Architectural style	Classical Revival
Part of	Escanaba Central Historic District (ID14000123)
NRHP reference No.	77000712[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	July 25, 1977
Designated MSHS	January 16, 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. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. "Carnegie Public Library". Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. Archived from the original on 2012-12-25. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
3. "History of the Escanaba Public Library". Escanaba Public Library. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
4. Dionna Harris (May 3, 2008). "Work continues on old Esky library". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.