The Pipestone Public Library
was financed by Andrew Carnegie
Courtesy of Lorraine Draper
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Andrew Carnegie, the wealthy late 19th-century steel baron, became
the benefactor of many small towns and communities through his philanthropic
enterprises. Between 1886 and 1919, Carnegie donated more than $40
million to build 1,679 new libraries across America. Many communities
could not afford libraries on their own and Andrew Carnegie believed
literacy was the key to help assimilate new immigrants into mainstream
America. The Carnegie building in Pipestone is one such library
that impacted this small Midwestern town. To be chosen as a location
for a Carnegie library, a town had to possess land and be willing
to pay for the upkeep of the library.
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Historic image of Pipestone Public
(Carnegie) Library, 1904
Courtesy of Pipestone County Historical Society |
Constructed between 1903 and 1904, this 26 foot by 51 foot Sioux quartzite
building was designed by Joseph Swartz and built by George Redmon.
With its prominent raised Gothic arch entry and rounded northeast
corner, the design is typical of other Carnegie libraries. The entrance
of the building is articulated by a gabled wall, which projects from
the front of the building. Pointed arches constructed of pink quartzite
define the door openings. A circular stained glass window is located
above the door and is enclosed within the arch. The front gable also
has a raised relief panel depicting an open book, and a decorative
band of pink quartzite separates the first and second stories. In
1976 when the public library was combined with the high school collection,
forming a community library, the library relocated in a new section
of the public high school. Later that year the exterior of the Carnegie
building was restored and the interior adapted for use as a local
senior citizens' center.
The Pipestone Public Library, now the location of Senior Citizens
of Pipestone, is located at 217 S. Hiawatha Ave., Pipestone and
is open to the public weekdays 8:30am to 4:30pm and during evening
functions. Call 507-825-3252 for further information.
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