Council Bluffs Public Library
Location
Current street address: 400 Willow Avenue Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Carnegie address: 200 Pearl St. - Union Pacific Railroad Museum
Original building still standing: Yes
Still in use as a library: No
Carnegie Grant Information
Date of Grant: January 6, 19031
Amount of Grant: $50,000.00 (initial) + $20,000.001
Cornerstone Date: September 6, 1904
Opening Date: Tuesday, September 12, 1905, 2:00, New Theatre 2
Carnegie Correspondent: W. S. Baird, Lawyer
Librarian, at Dedication: Mrs. Mary E. Dailey
Architect: Patton & Miller, Chicago; J.C. & W. Woodward (local)
Contractor: Winchester & Cullen, Rockford, IL -- $52,612.00
Building Style: Classical Revival
Building Size: 120 ft. x 60 ft.
Town & County
City: Council Bluffs
County: Pottawattamie County
Population in 1900: 25,802
Population in 1910: 29,292
Population in 1920: 36,162
Population in 2020: 93,158
Town/County Images:
Sources:
Wikipedia served as the source for the population information. Note that the population increased between 1900 and 1910.
Council Bluffs is the county seat of Pottawattamie County, which was established on February 24, 1847. Pottawattamie County, named for the Native American tribe that occupied the land, is the second largest county in Iowa (after Kossuth County). In 1851, the county seat was established at Kanesville. In 1853, the name was changed from Kanesville to Council Bluffs.
(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 272.)
Carnegie/Bertram/Franks Correspondence
Architectural Blueprints
Architect/Builder/Contractor Documents
Summary of Building Information:
- In April of 1903, the city condemned and purchased the site for the library from E.L. Shugart.
- The site is comprised of the lots in front of Bayliss Park. The lot is less than one acre. (Source: Council Bluffs Public Library Wikipedia page)
- The architects for the building were Patton & Miller. The building is 120ftx60ft and was built in the Classical Revival style. (Source: Council Bluffs Public Library)
- The bid of Winchester & Cullen, from Rockford, IL, for $52,612 was accepted. It should be noted that this was the lowest bid. (Source: Council Bluffs Public Library)
- The building is protected by the National Register of Historic Places and was added on January 27th, 1999. (Source: National Register of Historic Places)
Construction Documents
Images
Library History Documents (Reports, Newspapers, etc.)
Library Board Materials (Meetings, Forms, etc.)
Facilities (Building Maintenance)
Operations (Library Service Expenses)
Number of Books:
Librarian & Accession Books
Townspeople
History
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