Ironwood Carnegie Library

The Ironwood Carnegie Library is a library located at 235 E. Aurora Street in Ironwood, Michigan. It is the oldest continuously operated Carnegie Library in Michigan^[2] and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.^[1]

Ironwood Carnegie Library
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Location	235 E. Aurora St. Ironwood, Michigan
Coordinates	46°27′8″N 90°10′20″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1901
Built by	Donald and Egan
NRHP reference No.	11000948[1]
Added to NRHP	December 22, 2011

History

The public library in Ironwood was founded in 1892,^[3] and was located in the Ironwood City Hall.^[4] In 1900, Andrew Carnegie pledged $12,000 to the city of Ironwood to build a new library,^[2][5] subject to his usual conditions that the town provide a building site and pledge to maintain the building.^[6] Carnegie increased his gift by $5000 in 1901.^[5] The building was constructed in 1901 by Archie Donald and Daniel Egan of Ashland, Wisconsin for $17,000.^[7] It was the first Carnegie Library built in Michigan.^[8] The library was moved into the new building in 1901^[4] and the new library was dedicated in January 1902.^[9]

Only minor modifications have been made to the building,^[2] which still contains the original chairs, tables, and circulation desk.^[8]

Description

The Ironwood Carnegie Library is a small building constructed of brownstone and brick.^[8]