Big Timber in Sweet Grass County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Carnegie Public Library

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2021

1. Carnegie Public Library Marker

Inscription. An alternative to saloons and pool halls, the Big Timber Library stayed open evenings in 1914, with the hope of “not only … educating [people] … in the right way, but keeping them from falling by the wayside, as so many do in these western towns.” Big Timber’s first library, a “branch” of the Parmley Billings Library, was a shelf of books in a local store in 1901. By 1911, the library, then housed in the Town Hall, had grown to 1,300 volumes, and the community approached industrialist and library patron Andrew Carnegie for funding for a new building. Carnegie provided $7,500, stipulating, as he did with all his library grants, that Big Timber provide a building site and commit tax funds to support library services. Like many other Carnegie libraries, this “temple of learning,” designed by the architectural firm of Link and Haire and built in 1914, embraces Classical Revival elements made popular for civic buildings by the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. One of 17 Carnegie libraries in Montana, its floor plan matches one Carnegie’s assistant recommended for small libraries. Decorated with Tuscan columns and a pedimented

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entry, the symmetrical one-story building has a hipped roof, large windows, a daylight basement (which houses a meeting room) and a flight of stairs leading to the main floor (which contains reading rooms and open stacks). It is a fine example of “Carnegie Classic” design, personalized by a façade of river rock at the basement level.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 45° 49.955′ N, 109° 57.179′ W. Marker is in Big Timber, Montana, in Sweet Grass County. It is at the intersection of McLeod Street and West 4th Avenue, on the left when traveling north on McLeod Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 314 McLeod Street, Big Timber MT 59011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2021

2. Carnegie Public Library Marker

The marker is to the right of the 'Little Library' box.

& Clark Corridor.

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 Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Mark's Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grand Hotel (about 800 feet away); Captain William Clark (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sweet Grass Woolen Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Bonanza or Bozeman Trail (approx. half a mile away); Clark camps at Little Timber Creek (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition (approx. 0.8 miles away); "...all in blume..." (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Timber.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.