Arkansas Listings in the National Register of Historic Places: Arkansas's Carnegie Libraries

Arkansas Listings in the National Register of Historic Places: Arkansas's Carnegie LibrariesAuthor(s): Kenneth StorySource: The Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. 59, No. 3 (Autumn, 2000), pp. 318-321Published by: Arkansas Historical AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40027991 .

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Arkansas Listings in the

National Register of Historic Places

Kenneth Story

Arkansas 's Carnegie Libraries

Public libraries are to be found in towns and cities across America. But this was not always so. In fact, the entire notion of publicly funded libraries is only about 150 years old (private libraries that allowed access by subscription or membership had existed earlier, but even these were relatively few). The city of Boston, Massachusetts holds the distinction of be- ing the first community to impose a tax specifically dedicated to the establishment of a free public library, having done so in 1849. The appeal of public libraries began to spread gradually thereafter.

The explosive growth of great industrial fortunes after the Civil War (particularly in the North, where the Vanderbilt, Morgan, and Rockefeller families amassed great personal wealth in such pursuits as shipping, bank- ing, railroads, and oil) allowed certain successful businessmen to establish private foundations to benefit a variety of causes. Fortunately for public libraries, Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant who settled in Pittsburgh and made his fortune in steel, displayed a particular affection for libraries, citing the important role a private library in his native village of Dunferm- line played in his early life. His first philanthropic efforts focused upon western Pennsylvania, particularly communities in which he had lived or established mills. After 1898, the positive publicity that surrounded these first efforts resulted in requests for financial aid in establishing libraries in communities, large and small, across the nation. In fact, the demand be- came so great that Carnegie formalized the process by stipulating that, to be eligible, a community had to be willing to make its own commitment to the library by providing the land and assuring tax support for its operation and maintenance. After 1901, the year in which he sold his steel holdings and so removed himself from active business management, Carnegie

Kenneth Story is preservation outreach coordinator for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.

THE ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY VOL. LIX, NO. 3, AUTUMN 2000



ARKANSAS NATIONAL REGISTER LISTINGS 3 19

turned his full attention to his various pet causes, resulting in the establishment by 1911 of the Carnegie Corporation, which was founded solely to handle his assorted philanthropies. Carnegie libraries continued to be funded until the outbreak of World War I, at which time the Carnegie Cor- poration ceased grants for new ones. It did, however, commit to complet- ing those libraries that had already received awards, and thus the construction of Carnegie libraries continued until 1923.

Though it is not known how many Arkansas communities applied to the Carnegie Corporation for the funds to establish local free public libraries, we do know that at least two of these libraries survive (unfortunately, the Carnegie library that served Little Rock and environs was largely de- molished in the construction during the 1960s of the now-abandoned library building at the corner of 8th and Main Streets). What is most surprising is that both continue to serve their communities as free public libraries. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NR).

The earliest of the two, known as both the Carnegie Public Library and the Free Public Library, is located at 198 Spring Street in Eureka Springs in Carroll County (the Eureka Springs Historic District, to which it is a contributing building, was listed on the National Register on December 18, 1970). Built in 1910, this handsome Classical Revival-style building is constructed of locally quarried stone and built into the hillside setting that is such a distinctive aspect of this Ozark Mountains resort community. The library is accessed via a monumental central stone staircase placed in front of the building. The central front entrance is visually enhanced by the two massive Doric columns, set in antis, that flank the double-leaf doorway. The site and design combine to create a dramatic effect that to this day draws the attention of visitors.

Built just six years after its Eureka Springs counterpart, the Conway County Library, located at 101 W. Church Street in Morrilton (NR listed on April 15, 1978) is Mediterranean in style, though it also features certain Colonial Revival influences. In particular, the fanlight transoms above the four monumental front windows, the broken arched pediment over the front entrance, and the dentil courses throughout are clear references to ar- chitecture of the American colonial period. The red clay tile roof, however, is a clear Mediterranean reference, and remarkable for the fact that not only is it intact, but in such good condition.

In fact, what distinguishes both these library buildings-apart from their obvious common history-is their relatively high degree of preservation. Both are in extremely good condition with respect to the preservation of their historic fabric. This is somewhat surprising given that both have functioned continuously as free libraries since their construction, and so have been subject to the heavy traffic and use commonly experienced by



The Carnegie Public Library, also known as the Free Public Library, of Eureka Springs (Carroll County). Courtesy Arkansas Historic Pres- ervation Program.

The Conway County Library in Morrilton. Courtesy Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.



ARKANSAS NATIONAL REGISTER LISTINGS 32 *

public facilities. Ironically, this is probably also a major reason they have remained. Their continuous use as facilities that the public enjoys has in- sured their upkeep and care.

Still, both communities should be commended for the care and sensi- tivity they have shown these buildings over time. Demands upon all libraries, particularly in the area of information technology, have changed dramatically since World War II, most especially during the last decade. The fact that Eureka Springs and Morrilton count upon these historic buildings to shelter their public libraries bears testimony to the fact that they continue to share the original vision of Andrew Carnegie: that all who seek it should have the opportunity for self-education.



Documents

Arkansas Listings in the National Register of Historic Places: Arkansas's Carnegie Libraries