Rapid City in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Carnegie Library

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026

1. Carnegie Library Cornerstone

Inscription.

[Cornerstone reads]
Gift of Andrew Carnegie
Dedicated Sept. 18 1915

This property
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Erected 1915 by Andrew Carnegie and City of Rapid City.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1915.

Location. 44° 4.751′ N, 103° 13.68′ W. Marker is in Rapid City, South Dakota, in Pennington County. It is at the intersection of Kansas City Street and 6th Street, on the left when traveling east on Kansas City Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Kansas City Street, Rapid City SD 57701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West River

and in the Badlands.

It is also in the American Black Hills,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern

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Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carnegie Library Addition (a few steps from this marker); Jimmy Carter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Donald J. Trump (about 300 feet away); George Washington (about 400 feet away); Ronald Reagan (about 400 feet away); Tourism and Hotels (about 400 feet away); Early Rapid City History (about 400 feet away); William Jefferson Clinton (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rapid City.

Regarding Carnegie Library. National Register Statement of Significance excerpt:

The Rapid City Carnegie Library is significant in the areas of architecture and education. Among the variety of Carnegie Library designs, this one was typical of medium sized cities. The Carnegie Library was the third library to serve the city. In 1881 Library Hall opened for use, and was followed in 1904 by the Rapid City Free

Carnegie Library NRHP Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026

2. Carnegie Library NRHP Marker

Library. Eleven years later a Carnegie grant of $12,500 allowed the construction of this edif[i]ce. A simple "commercial palace"; this building has served as an educational and cultural focal point for the city.

Also see . . . Rapid City Carnegie Library National Register Nomination Form. (Submitted on October 16, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Carnegie Library and NRHP Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026

3. Carnegie Library and NRHP Marker

Carnegie Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026

4. Carnegie Library

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.