National Register of Historic Places

Fairfield Public Library

Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa
Listed
May 22, 1983
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
83000373

About this property

Fairfield Public Library is located in Fairfield, Iowa, United States. A library association was founded by a group of local men in 1853, and funded by dues from its members. It was housed in several different buildings for the first 40 years. U.S. Senator James F. Wilson from Fairfield was instrumental in obtaining a grant from Andrew Carnegie for a building of its own. The grant for $40,000 was accepted on January 15, 1892. It was the first Carnegie Library outside of Western Pennsylvania and the first of 101 built in Iowa. It was also one the few libraries Carnegie funded without stipulations concerning its use, public support, or design. The building was designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style by Kansas City architect C. Stafford. It was officially opened on Friday, September 29, 1893, and it was dedicated on November 28 of the same year. The association continued to run the library until 1899 when voters approved a referendum to support it with taxes. The building has been altered in the ensuing years, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The library moved to a new building in 1996, and the original building is now home to the Carnegie Historical Museum.

Location

Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa
41.00799, -91.91211

Categories

ARCHITECTURESOCIAL HISTORY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Geology
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Nearby Historic Sites

Louden, R.R., and Antoinette, House
Industrial
2.1 mi
Louden Whirl-Around
Listed
2.2 mi
Wells-Stubbs House
Industrial
2.4 mi
Old Settlers' Association Park and Rhodham Bonnifield House
Listed
2.4 mi
Fryer, O.F. and Lulu E., House
Industrial
2.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Fairfield Public Library listed on the National Register?

Fairfield Public Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 22, 1983.

What type of historic resource is Fairfield Public Library?

Fairfield Public Library is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Fairfield Public Library?

The period of significance for Fairfield Public Library is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Fairfield Public Library?

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