Tooele in Tooele County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Tooele Carnegie Free Public Library

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 12, 2026

1. Tooele Carnegie Free Public Library Marker

Inscription. "On Saturday, the 13th inst. The doors of the Carnegie library will be thrown open to the public and any citizen may take out books under the rules and regulations of the library. Under the administration of ex-Mayor A. A. Walters, negotiations began with Andrew Carnegie and the location for the library procured. The drawing of plans by several architects was unsatisfactory and Mayor Walter's term of office expired before any great results could be obtained. Mayor Henry Marshall took office in January, 1910, and took active means to push along the library. He discharged the architects, then employed and secured plans from Ulmer & Son that were acceptable to Mr. Carnegie. The contract was let to Miller Brothers of Tooele last May and the building was finished in November. The cost was close to $6,000. Only $5,000 was given by Mr. Carnegie so that the city had to raise the balance. There is a library and gymnasium fund, and there was over $1,000 in that fund, so the council decided to draw from that fund and pay off the library indebtedness. There are over 600 volumes in the library." - The Tooele Times Thursday, May 11, 1911

Although

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not the first library in Tooele, the Carnegie library was the first FREE public library. As the Times article above states, the Tooele Carnegie Library was built in 1911 with a $5000 grant from millionaire/philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The conditions upon which all Carnegie grants were given were that the recipient community donate the building site for the library, and promised to provide at least $500 per year for the upkeep and operation of the library building. Designed by Salt Lake City based architect Frank M. Ulmer, the Tooele Carnegie Library, which, complete with books, cost a total of $6500, was officially opened on May 10, 1911.

Erected 2017 by Sons of Utah Pioneers. (Marker Number 242.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries, and the Sons of Utah Pioneers series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1911.

Location. 40° 31.848′ N, 112° 17.832′ W. Marker is in Tooele, Utah, in Tooele County. It is on East Vine Street east of North Main Street, on the right when traveling

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 12, 2026

2. Tooele Carnegie Free Public Library Marker

west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 47 E Vine St, Tooele UT 84074, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front,

in the West Desert,

and in Greater Salt Lake.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and on the Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pioneer City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Tooele County Courthouse and City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Tooele Pioneer Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Tooele County Courthouse / Existing County Courthouse (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Tooele Ward Church (about 500 feet away); "Seek On" (about 600 feet away); "Proud" (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Tooele Carnegie Free Public Library Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 12, 2026

3. Tooele Carnegie Free Public Library Building

in Tooele.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.