The Carnegie Library for sale in Joplin, Missouri. The 13,360 square foot building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1902 and is a two-story, Classical Revival style steel frame building sheathed in brick and white Carthage marble.
Carnegie’s original main level floor included the Librarian’s Desk, the stacks, a general reading area and a high school room. On the second floor were the Ladies’ Reading Room, the Fine Arts Room, a general reading room, an inactive storage room and the toilets. The basement housed the Men’s Reading Room, the stacks, a storage room and the boiler room. A 1916 addition brought a Children’s Library to the basement and offices and more room for the stacks on the main floor.
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. A total of 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems.
The Joplin Carnegie Library For Sale: A Historic Landmark in Missouri
Discover the rich history of the Joplin Carnegie Library, one of Missouri’s earliest libraries, generously funded by renowned philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Established in the 1890s, this iconic library came to life in 1901 when citizens voted in favor of public funding, prompting a successful collaboration with Carnegie who provided $40,000 for its construction.
The library’s architectural grandeur was entrusted to August Michaelis, a prominent regional architect. He skillfully designed the two-story Neoclassical Revival style structure, utilizing locally sourced marble from Carthage, Missouri. In 1916, an impressive two-story addition was seamlessly integrated, featuring a captivating skylight above the main desk, further enhancing the library’s architectural allure.
Despite facing neglect and vandalism over the next three decades, the Carnegie Library remained resilient. A recent report in spring 2022 offered a glimmer of hope, revealing relatively minimal issues for a building of its age. This positive assessment ignited the determination of rehabilitation advocates.
Regrettably, a devastating fire ravaged the library’s basement, causing severe damage and exacerbating the urgency of its preservation. The Joplin Carnegie Library now stands at a crossroads, with local efforts intensifying to find a viable solution and ensure the rescue of this historically significant institution. Designating the building as a “Place in Peril” aims to amplify these endeavors, rallying support to safeguard the library’s future for generations to come.
Call Luke Gibson 417-359-6868 for all the details.
Joplin Commercial Real Estate
Glenn Group
417-434-4845
glenngroupllc.com
Broker Andrew Bright & Associates 417-291-6713, John Hyman 417-437-9051