Idaho Springs Carnegie Library

Early in 1903 a group of citizens approached Andrew Carnegie with a request to support the construction of a public library in Idaho Springs. Mr. Carnegie required that the land must be donated, the city must provide funds to operate the library and supply a set of plans for his approval. The conditions were met and Mr. Carnegie donated over $10,000 for the construction. Construction was completed in 1904 and the building, almost unchanged as you see it, was dedicated and opened. The main, upper, floor is original. The door to the lower level was added sometime after 1904. For a number of years the Idaho Springs City Hall was housed in the lower level. After City Hall moved in 1986 the lower level was refurbished to provide additional space and a ramp was installed. It is an example of Colonial Revival style of architecture and one of the earliest remaining Carnegie funded libraries existing in Colorado.

219 14th Avenue in Idaho Springs, Colorado

• Carnegie Libraries