Ottumwa Public Library
Location
Current street address: 102 W. Fourth St. Ottumwa, IA 52501
Carnegie address: 102 W. Fourth St. Ottumwa, IA 52501
Original building still standing: Yes
Still in use as a library: Yes
Carnegie Grant Information
Date of Grant: January 16, 19001
Amount of Grant: $50,000.001
Cornerstone Date: September 1, 1901
Opening Date: Wed., September 24, 1902, Market Street Theatre, 2:00 pm2
Carnegie Correspondent: H. R. Moore, Newspaper Editor
Librarian, at Dedication: Miss Mary E. Downey2
Architect: Smith & Gutterson, Des Moines2
Contractor: Bartlett & Kling
Building Style: Neoclassical
Building Size:
Building Description: "The handsome new building is of stone..."2
Town & County
City: Ottumwa
County: Wapello County
Population in 1900: 18,197
Population in 2010: 25,023
Town/County Images:
Sources:
Twelfth Census of the United States — 1900. p. 450.
Ottumwa is the county seat of Wapello County, which was established on February 17, 1843. Wapello County was named in honor of the Chief of the Fox Tribe who was involved in the sale of the Sac and Fox lands to the United States government. In 1844, a county seat was located at Appanoose Rapids, which was renamed Louisville, and then Ottumwanoc. In 1845, the name was shortened to Ottumwa. Wapello County received two Carnegie grants with Ottumwa and Eldon as the recipients.
(Source: Pratt, LeRoy G. “The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa.” Mason City, Ia; Klipto Printing & Office Supply Company, 1977, p. 310-311.)
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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