Hardin in Big Horn County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Big Horn County Library
Hardin Commercial Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 19, 2021
1. Big Horn County Library Marker
Inscription.
Big Horn County Library. Hardin Commercial Historic District. Hardin women began raising money for a library in 1909. Numerous fundraisers followed, and in 1912 a hundred-book library opened in the home of Walter and Ella Fearis. After the city passed a mill levy in 1914, Walter Fearis wrote library benefactor Andrew Carnegie to solicit funds for a library building. Fearis argued that farmwomen needed somewhere to go while their husbands conducted business. He also believed a library could keep young men from frequenting the community’s saloons. Carnegie’s secretary initially refused the request because the young town of Hardin did not appear on his outdated map. Ultimately, however, Carnegie donated $15,000 on condition that the county provide a building site and $1,500 in annual support. The county did so, noting that a “Free Library would be a good thing.” Architect C. L. Pruett designed the Neoclassical one-and-one-half-story building in accordance with Carnegie guidelines. A 1987 addition expanded the library while shifting the entrance from the west to the south. However, visitors can still distinguish the original hipped-roof structure, welcomed amid much fanfare when it opened its doors in 1919.
Hardin women began raising money for a library in 1909. Numerous fundraisers followed, and in 1912 a hundred-book library opened in the home of Walter and Ella Fearis. After the city passed a mill levy in 1914, Walter Fearis wrote library benefactor Andrew Carnegie to solicit funds for a library building. Fearis argued that farmwomen needed somewhere to go while their husbands conducted business. He also believed a library could keep young men from frequenting the community’s saloons. Carnegie’s secretary initially refused the request because the young town of Hardin did not appear on his outdated map. Ultimately, however, Carnegie donated $15,000 on condition that the county provide a building site and $1,500 in annual support. The county did so, noting that a “Free Library would be a good thing.” Architect C. L. Pruett designed the Neoclassical one-and-one-half-story building in accordance with Carnegie guidelines. A 1987 addition expanded the library while shifting the entrance from the west to the south. However, visitors can still distinguish the original hipped-roof structure, welcomed amid much fanfare when it opened its doors in 1919.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education.
Location. 45° 43.992′ N, 107° 36.436′ W. Marker is in Hardin, Montana, in Big Horn County. Marker is at the intersection of North Custer Avenue and 5th Street West, on the right when traveling north on North Custer Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 North Custer Avenue, Hardin MT 59034, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
