Goodland in Sherman County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Carnegie Art Center
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2024
1. Carnegie Art Center Marker
The Carnegie Arts Center, formally the Carnegie Library, was built in 1913 by Fred Hunt. It was built in the Italian Renaissance Revival style and is a one story building over a half-raised full basement. Eight steps lead up to the front doors and are bordered by two short ionic columns that stand on pedestals. Originally the Goodland Public Library, it was one of fifty-nine Carnegie Libraries in Kansas. For 60 years it served as the public library until 1973 when the new library was built. From 1975-1983, it was the Senior Citizens Center and finally became the arts center in 1989. Today, it looks much the way it did when built in 1913 with one main difference being the installation for a mechanical lift. In 1985, because of its significance in architecture, the building was added to the National and State Registers of Historic Places.
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 1913.
Location. 39° 20.826′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, on the Great Plains, on the Southern Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ennis Handy House / Mary Seaman Ennis House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); United States Post Office (about 700 feet away); Chambers Fountain (about 700 feet away); United Telephone Building (about 700 feet away); Courthouse Statue & Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Big Easel (approx.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 2024
2. Carnegie Art Center Marker
The marker is located directly in front of the subject building, just to the right of the front entrance.
Regarding Carnegie Art Center. National Register of Historic Places № 85002129.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Richard J. Cawthon, Architectural Historian, 7/18/1985:
The former Goodland Public Library building is locally significant both for its architecture and for its association with the cultural and educational history of the community. The building is one of the very few examples of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture in Northwest Kansas, and is a good, relatively intact example of the use of that style for a public library.
The library is historically important because of its long association with the cultural and educational development of the City of Goodland and Sherman County. It was begun in 1912 with a $10,000 grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It ceased to be used as a library in 1973, when a new larger library building was completed.Exhibiting the stylistic character of the Italian Renaissance Revival, the building is constructed of buff-colored brick and has a hipped roof of red clay tiles. At the center of the front (south) facade, a flight of eight steps leads to a small portico covering the main entrance. The walls are embellished with patterns of projecting and recessed brickwork, outlining the door and windows and forming quoins at the corners. A secondary door opens into the basement from an archway underneath the entrance portico. The exterior of the building is essentially unchanged from its original appearance. The simple interior has been remodeled somewhat but retains much of its original woodwork.
Also see . . . Goodland City Library (Wikipedia).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 2024
3. National Register of Historic Places Marker
This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Excerpt: The Goodland City Library was built in 1912 and was used as a library for 60 years. It was designed with Italian Renaissance Revival architecture by Denver architects Barrensen Brothers. The building now houses the Carnegie Arts Center, which offers art exhibits, workshops, recitals, demonstrations, lectures and concerts.(Submitted on September 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2024
4. Carnegie Arts Center
(south/front entrance)
(south/front entrance)
The National Register of Historic Places marker is mounted on the right side of the front doors.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2024
5. Carnegie Arts Center
(southwest elevation)
(southwest elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2024
6. Carnegie Arts Center (south/front elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
