The Old Point in Beaufort in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Carnegie Library

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 12, 2023

1. Carnegie Library Marker (south side)

(looking north • Carteret Street on right)

Inscription.
Built in 1917-18, this was one of fourteen libraries constructed in S.C. with funding from the Carnegie Corporation. It was built at the urging of the Clover Club, a local women's literary group who in 1902 began a small subscription library. The Beaufort Library Society formed in 1802, however Union soldiers confiscated its collection in 1862, leaving Beaufort with no permanent library until this facility opened as the Beaufort Township Library on March 25, 1918.

The library was built on a lot donated by the Town of Beaufort. Many of its first books were provided by the Clover Club. The library was designed by architect James Hagood Sams of Columbia and built by contractor J.H. Moore of Camden. In 1962, the Beaufort Township Library became a countywide library system following an act of the S.C. General Assembly. The Carnegie Library was replaced in1964 by a new facility built across Craven Street.

Erected 2021 by Beaufort County Historical Society; Clover Club; City of Beaufort; and Friends of Beaufort Library. (Marker Number 7-67.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • War, US Civil

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• Women. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries, and the South Carolina, Beaufort County Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 25, 1918.

Location. 32° 25.964′ N, 80° 40.202′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. It is in The Old Point. Marker is at the intersection of Craven Street and Carteret Street (Business U.S. 21), on the left when traveling east on Craven Street. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, near the southeast corner of the Carnegie Library Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 Craven Street, Beaufort SC 29902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Beaufort Firehouse & City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Henry Woodward, Surgeon 1646-1686 (within shouting distance of this marker); Beaufort Arsenal (within shouting distance of this marker); City Meat Market & Firehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); A City Transformed (within shouting distance of this marker); Beth Israel Synagogue (within shouting distance of this marker); Discovering the Reconstruction Era in Beaufort County, South Carolina

Carnegie Library Marker (<i>north side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 12, 2023

2. Carnegie Library Marker (north side)

(looking south • Craven Street in background)

(within shouting distance of this marker); Beaufort Female Benevolent Society (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaufort.

Regarding Carnegie Library. Contributing property, Beaufort Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #69000159. Currently houses the Greater Beaufort-Port Royal Convention & Visitors Bureau.

From the National Register Nomination:
Beaufort's Carnegie Library (site #905), constructed in 1917, is a rectangular brick structure on a raised basement. Its main entrance has a surround in cast stone which incorporates fluted Doric pilasters and an entablature and broken arch pediment with an armorial in center.

Also see . . .
1. List of Carnegie libraries in South Carolina.

Beaufort
Carnegie Grant Date: Sep 25, 1914
Grant Amount: $7,500
Open 1918–1964 (replaced by new Beaufort County Library)

(Submitted on May 15, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Carnegie Library Buildings in South Carolina.

Between 1905 and 1916 sixteen cities or towns in South Carolina applied to the Carnegie Corporation
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 12, 2023

3. Carnegie Library Marker
(looking northwest • Carteret Street is on the right)
for grants to aid in the construction of public library buildings. Between 1905 and 1920 thirteen new public library buildings were designed, constructed and opened to the public. Each community receiving a grant had to agree to provide a suitable site and annual support from tax sources amounting to ten percent of the grant.

(Submitted on May 15, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

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

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 12, 2023

4. Carnegie Library (southwest elevation)

Carnegie Library (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 12, 2023

5. Carnegie Library (southeast elevation)

Carnegie Library (<i>south/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 12, 2023

6. Carnegie Library (south/front elevation)

(marker is located on far right)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 15, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.