Manitou Springs Carnegie Library

Manitou Springs Carnegie Library. . This classical Italian Renaissance library was opened February 22, 1911. Manitou Springs' citizens were proud of the cork floors, heavy oak furniture, and a five-foot tall wall clock that ran on dry-cell batteries. , Manitou Springs had a free reading room since the 1880s, but it lacked books, its location moved, and it was open mainly for summer visitors. In 1910, local physician H.M. Ogilbee convinced the Andrew Carnegie Foundation to donate $6,000 for a library. Architect Thomas MacLaren designed the stately structure and the City participated by purchasing and removing six buildings., The basement was intended for librarian's living quarters but was appropriated for City Clerk and Police offices as well as Town Board meeting space. A door replaced a center window for easier access. The offices were moved when the Carnegie Foundation objected. Subsequently, the basement was used for a kindergarten and then for a sixth grade classroom before becoming the Children's Library in 1957., The library is a modern facility that retains its period charm. The library is listed as contributing to Manitou Springs' 1983 National Register and 1980 Local Historic Preservation Districts., (photo captions) , Top right: The Manitou Springs Carnegie Library was designed with a setback from the Avenue to provide a beautiful park area for locals and visitors. Courtesy of Historic Manitou Springs, Inc., Bottom right: The cork floors and Craftsman furnishings created a comfortable and functional space for Manitou's popular public library. Courtesy of Manitou Springs Public Library.