Burlington in Des Moines County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Burlington Public Library

Burlington Public Library Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 25, 2021

1. Burlington Public Library Marker

Inscription. National Register of
Historic Places
United States
Department of Interior
March 27, 1975

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 National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 40° 48.732′ N, 91° 6.205′ W. Marker is in Burlington, Iowa, in Des Moines County. Marker is on North 4th Street just north of Columbia Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, on the right side of the east entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 North 4th Street, Burlington IA 52601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Civil War Monument West of the Mississippi (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Congregational Church (about 600 feet away); Snake Alley (about 700 feet away); 20th Anniversary of the Snake Alley Criterium (about 700 feet away); Hedge's Building (about 800 feet away); Hotel Burlington (approx. 0.2 miles away); Engine No. 3003 / Market Square

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Henderson County Covered Bridge (approx. 9.9 miles away in Illinois). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burlington.

Regarding The Burlington Public Library. National Register of Historic Places #75000682. Also a contributing property in Heritage Hill Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #82000406.

From the National Register Nomination:
The major significance of this historic resource lies in its architecture. Built during the period 1896-1898, the Burlington Public Library is a very well-preserved structure of an eclectic style showing classical, Renaissance and pre-Prairie School characteristics. Its unusual red color and prominent profile contribute greatly to the cityscape of Burlington. Of nearly equal importance, the Burlington Free Public Library is the oldest such library in the State of Iowa. It began as a small subscription library in 1868 at the suggestion of Senator James W. Grimes. It was largely the efforts of a local philanthropist, Philip M. Crapo, that brought about the completion of this present library. His zeal in promoting it was amply evidenced by his proposal to the City Council offering to donate $20,000.00 to the building
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 25, 2021

2. Burlington Public Library Marker
The marker is mounted on the right side of the east entrance.
fund if they would provide an equal amount. The matching funds were quickly provided by the Council. In addition, many of the furnishings in the building were given at his private expense. The total cost of the library building was about $55,000.00.

Also see . . .
1. Burlington Public Library: History. Excerpt:

Senator James Wilson Grimes contributed $5,000 to form a subscription library in 1868. This venture did not last, but instead set the stage for forming a public library by demonstrating the value of resource sharing among residents to strengthen individual success and build a stronger community. The first Burlington Public Library building was constructed between 1896 and 1898 with a combination of tax dollars and private funds. The building at 501 N. Fourth Street served as the home of the public library for over 100 years.

(Submitted on December 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Burlington Public Library (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

Boston architect T.S. Hoyt designed the building in the Gothic Revival style. The builder, J. C. Sutherland, modified the plans and it was constructed in more of a Renaissance Revival style. The old library building became the home of the Des Moines County Historical Society
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 25, 2021

3. Burlington Public Library (east elevation)
museum.

(Submitted on December 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Heritage Hill Historic District (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

The Heritage Hill Historic District is primarily a residential neighborhood on the hill north of the central business district. Several churches act as a buffer and provide a transition from the residential area and the commercial areas in the valley. At the time of its nomination there were 141 structures in the district. The district also includes North Hill Park, which has been in continuous use since the city was founded in 1836 and is one of the two oldest city parks in Burlington.

(Submitted on December 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Burlington Public Library (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 25, 2021

4. Burlington Public Library (northeast elevation)

Now houses the Des Moines County Heritage Center.

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

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 25, 2021

5. Burlington Public Library (southeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 73 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.