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. 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 Carnegie’s secretary initially refused the request because the young town of Hardin did not appear on his outdated map.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

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its doors in 1919.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries, and the Montana National Register Sign Program series lists.

Location. 45° 43.992′ N, 107° 36.436′ W. Marker is in Hardin, Montana, in Big Horn County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically he Crow Nation,

in Southeast Montana, in Custer Country. It is also in the American Mountain West,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

and also the Louisiana

Big Horn County Library and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 19, 2021

2. Big Horn County Library and Marker

The marker is to the left of the entrance.

Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 412 North Custer (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Big Horn County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); T.E. Gay Building (about 700 feet away); Hardin Commercial Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Schneider Harness and Confectionary (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Joseph's Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Reid's Pool Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hardin.

Additional keywords. Carnegie Library

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 264 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.