Leadville in Lake County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Carnegie Library
Historic Landmark
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025
1. Carnegie Library Marker
In 1902, Andrew Carnegie, national philanthropist, gave funds to construct Leadvilles first permanent library building. Formal opening was January 8, 1904.
Erected by Lake County Civic Center Association.
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 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 8, 1904.
Location. 39° 15.081′ N, 106° 17.548′ W. Marker is in Leadville, Colorado, in Lake County. It is at the intersection of East 9th Street (U.S. 24) and Harrison Avenue (U.S. 24), on the right when traveling west on East 9th Street. The marker is mounted at eye-level near the southeast corner of the subject building, facing East 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 East 9th Street, Leadville CO 80461, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley, in the Colorado High Rockies and on the Continental Divide. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Side-Dumping Ore Car (here, next to this marker); Gravity Stamp Mill (a few steps from this marker); Shaker Concentrating Table (a few steps from this marker); Crib (a few steps from this marker); Headframe (within
this page online
Also see . . .
1. History of Lake County Public Library (LakeCountyPublicLibrary.org).
Excerpt: Lake County Public Library is the highest public library in North America at over 10,000 feet in altitude. Although it had been repeatedly discussed and various temporary schemes tried since the early 1890's, the reality of a public library for Leadville began with a meeting of the town's citizenry on the evening of March 12, 1897. The purpose of the meeting was to form a library association and public response was enthusiastic. The Leadville Public Library Association was subsequently formed with Mary Louise Stickley as President and sixty-five charter members.(Submitted on August 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Opinions on how to use the three dollar per year membership fee were divided initially but it was decided that all collectionswould be used for a building fund rather than for purchasing books. The fund grew slowly during the next five years despite the numerous community efforts at raising money. Finally, as a last resort, application was made to the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The first two applications were not even acknowledged, but the third, largely through the efforts of Rev. David Fleming who had visited the Institute, was favorably received. Soon came the reply that $20,000 would be provided if the city would furnish a site and $2000 a year for maintenance. The city quickly agreed and levied a new tax for the purpose. The cornerstone was laid on October 25, 1902.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 20252. Carnegie Library MarkerThe marker is mounted between the window and door near the east end of the front/south facade.
During the 1960s it became apparent that the original Carnegie building had become inadequate and in 1967 active planning for a new facility was begun. Matching federal funds were obtained and work began at the 12th and Harrison site on September 3, 1970. The new building was officially opened on May 5, 1971.
2. The Leadville Heritage Museum and Gallery (Leadville.com).
Excerpt: Leadvilles well-recognized and historic red brick building wasnt always the Heritage Museum and Gallery. Built in 1904, it was originally the citys(Submitted on August 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)first library, a building famously funded by Andrew Carnegie. It wasnt until the Lake County Civic Center Association acquired it in 1971 that it became a heritage center. Since then, the Heritage Museum and Gallery has prided itself on collecting and exhibiting all sorts of Leadville memorabilia.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 20253. Carnegie Library Entrance
3. Heritage Museum (Carnegie Library) (Society of Architectural Historians).
(by Thomas J. Noel) Excerpt: Herbert Dimick, a Leadville architect, designed this two-story brick library, trimmed in gray sandstone but without the Neoclassical detailing usually found on Carnegie buildings. Round-arched doors and windows and the rough-faced sandstone base are its most ornate features. When a new, Modernist library opened at 1115 Harrison, this became a museum housing dioramas and artifacts of Leadville's early days.(Submitted on August 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025
4. Carnegie Library (southwest corner)
The construction start date, 1902, is chiseled into the stonework at the southwest corner of the building.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025
5. Carnegie Library (southwest elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025
6. Carnegie Library (south/front elevation)
Completed in 1904, it became the Leadville Heritage Museum in 1971.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 31, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
