Devils Lake Carnegie Library

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2023

1. Devils Lake Carnegie Library Marker

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From the National Register Nomination:
It is a one-story brick building, cruciform in shape, and has a symmetrical front facade with projecting portico. Horizontal bands of corbelled brick meet the column capitols and continue across all facades, as does the stone windowsill. The building is constructed of cream-colored brick from the Grand

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2023

2. Devils Lake Carnegie Library (east/front entrance)

(marker is on the right side of the entrance)From the National Register Nomination:  The entrance is articulated with a Roman arch with a decorative keystone. The parapet features recessed panels, a stone coping with three acroterions of coquillage form. A moderately projecting stone cornice wraps the building beneath which stand extended pilasters terminating with Ionic capitols.

Forks Brick and Tile Company. The raised, rusticated, basement wall is of a darker brick; it is separated from the wall above by a dripstone course.

The need for a library to serve the community as an educational and social benefit was recognized by the ladies of the city. The Devils Lake Carnegie Library was established out of the dedication and persistent effort of two women's organizations in Devils Lake: the Library Club (later the Twentieth Century Club) and the Shakespeare Club. Around 1897 a group of women formed the Library Club which maintained a reading room of about four hundred books. These were lent out to citizens who paid one dollar for a membership card. A library board named by the public school board approached the Carnegie Foundation who agreed to a $12,500 grant if the City Council would maintain a free public library at a cost of not less than $1,200 a year. The council agreed to levy two mills for operation of the library and another two mills to purchase the lot. The women's clubs and interested citizens groups held many fund-raising activities to purchase books and furnishings. County officials played a benefit ball game; the Twentieth Century Club had an Easter Ball, sold cookbooks and raffled quilts. Concerts and plays were also given.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2023

3. Devils Lake Carnegie Library (entrance detail)

The Devils Lake Carnegie Library was built in 1909 and designed by architect Joseph A. Shannon. Danish-born builder Valdemar Gram built the library, and numerous other Devils Lake buildings. It was opened on January 21, 1910, with no ceremony, but the local newspaper afterward declared the opening to be a "great event", marking a "new era in the intellectual advancement of Devils Lake". After 93 years, on November 26, 2003, the library was moved from its historic location — due to deterioration and much-needed space and renovations — to its current location. This brought about questions about what to do with the historic landmark, which became lofts in 2015, bought by Paula Hasse Anderson for $1,000, wishing to keep the building from being razed by the city. Gary Martinson, city assessor and building official for the City of Devils Lake, said at the time that Anderson has accomplished the city's goal of preserving the historic building while finding a new use for it.

Joseph A. Shannon was an architect in

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2023

4. Devils Lake Carnegie Library (northeast elevation)

Devils Lake, North Dakota. He has been termed “the city's first true architect.” He apparently had no formal degree in architecture, yet applied for certification and became one of North Dakota's first licensed architects. He designed 17 buildings in Devils Lake, of which 15 survived in 2001. Shannon was born March 21, 1859, and grew up in Edina, Missouri. In Minnesota he worked as a carpenter, then established a homestead near Bristol, South Dakota, and later worked as a carpenter at Fort Sisseton in South Dakota. He later served as president of the North Dakota State Board of Architecture. He lived in Devils Lake until his death on January 25, 1934.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2023

5. Devils Lake Carnegie Library (east/front elevation)