Thief River Falls in Pennington County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Carnegie Library

1914

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

1. Carnegie Library Marker

Inscription.
This property has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 48° 7.035′ N, 96° 10.88′ W. Marker is in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, in Pennington County. It is on Main Avenue North (State Highway 32) just north of 1st Street East (County Highway 17), on the right when traveling north. Marker is mounted at waist-level, directly on the subject building, on the right/south side of the front staircase. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 Main Avenue North, Thief River Falls MN 56701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the

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Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: Address by President Lincoln (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line).

Regarding Carnegie Library. National Register of Historic Places № 83003763.

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Dennis A. Gimmestad, 2/16/1983:
The one-story rectangular building is built of Twin City tapestry brick with Bedford stone trim. The front facade features a projecting entrance pavilion with double doors, leaded glass sidelights and transom, and a stone door surround and name plate with the words "public library". The staircase leading to the entrance is flanked by two light standards. Symmetrical fenestration includes three-part sash with leaded glass transoms on the front facade and shorter two-part sash on the other facades. Bedford stone is used for
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

2. Carnegie Library Marker
The marker is mounted on the right/south side of the front staircase.
sills and keystones, as well as for the base of the building. The entire structure is encircled by a modillioned cornice.
The Thief River Falls Public Library is significant as a well-preserved component of the group of Carnegie financed libraries in Minnesota, and locally notable for the quality of its design and for the association of local firms with the building's construction. Construction on the building began in 1914, and dedication ceremonies were held in May of 1915. The architect of the building was Joseph C. Lutz, and the millwork and shelving were done by the Thief River Falls Manufacturing Company, both local firms.

Also see . . .
1. Thief River Falls Public Library (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: In 1900, a few civic leaders decided that a book collection was needed for everyone to use. Money was raised for a small collection of books which were then housed in the first library, a storefront on 2nd Street, which was provided rent-free. In the spring of 1902, a small one-story annex was built for the library on the north side of the old City Fire Hall at the corner of First Street and Main Avenue. A Mr. L.G. Browning
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

3. Thief River Falls Carnegie Library (northwest elevation)
was hired as the first librarian that year, at the salary of $14 a month. In 1906, the library became an official separate department of the City of Thief River Falls. When the city moved to its current location, the library also moved and was located in a large room in the basement. As the library grew, it was evident it needed more space. In 1914, the Carnegie Library was built in Thief River Falls and dedicated on May 12, 1915.

(Submitted on September 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Historic Carnegie Library Restoration (Thief River Falls).

Excerpt: More than 100 years ago, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, believing in real and permanent good, offered the City of Thief River Falls the sum of $12,500 to build a public library. The city met Mr. Carnegie's requirements by matching this with $4,848 in local funding and built the stately Carnegie Library Building that still stands at the corner of Main Avenue and 1st Street.

(Submitted on July 29, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Thief River Falls Carnegie Library (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

4. Thief River Falls Carnegie Library (southwest elevation)

Thief River Falls Carnegie Library (<i>west/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 29, 2022

5. Thief River Falls Carnegie Library (west/front elevation)

Today this building houses the Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. The current Thief River Falls Public Library is located one block south.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,142 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.