Lewistown in Fergus County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Carnegie Library

Courthouse Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

1. Carnegie Library Marker

Inscription. Lewistown's first library opened in 1897 with 269 books in a corner of Mary Hanson's millinery shop. When Mrs. Hanson left town two years later, the collection moved to the office of Elizabeth Peeples, county superintendent of schools. In 1905 Lewistown received a $10,000 grant from industrialist and library patron Andrew Carnegie for this sandstone building, constructed by Lewistown's famed Croatian stonemasons. Carnegie, who funded over 1,600 libraries nationwide and 17 in Montana, encouraged communities to erect modest buildings, but Lewistown wanted a symbol of civic pride. Contractor T. J. Tubb designed and oversaw the library's construction. Praised as a "public benefactor," Tubb lost money on the project, adding many embellishments at his own expense. Despite Tubb's generosity, the building cost more than Lewistown could afford and the city found itself without funds to install a heating plant, electrical fixtures, and furniture or hire staff. Begun in 1905, the building finally opened to the public in 1908. Notwithstanding this rocky start, the library grew and flourished, becoming the civic monument and ""temple

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of learning"" its founders had envisioned.

Erected by The Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries, and the Montana National Register Sign Program series lists.

Location. 47° 3.736′ N, 109° 25.835′ W. Marker is in Lewistown, Montana, in Fergus County. It is on West Main Street (U.S. 87) near 7th Avenue North, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 West Main Street, Lewistown MT 59457, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically entral Montana in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

2. Carnegie Library Marker

Carnegie Library at upper right.

walking distance of this marker: Courthouse Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Attix Clinic (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lehman Bunkhouse (about 400 feet away); 521 West Main (about 700 feet away); McDonald and Charters Block (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thompson-Lewis House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Abraham and Mary Walton Hogeland House (approx. ¼ mile away); Phillips Drug Company (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewistown.

Carnegie Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

3. Carnegie Library

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

4. Carnegie Library

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 17, 2019

5. Carnegie Library

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 513 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 11, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.