National Register of Historic Places

Ayer Public Library

Delavan, Tazewell County, Illinois
Listed
November 12, 1998
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
98001352

About this property

The Ayer Public Library is a Carnegie library located at 208 Locust Street in Delavan, Illinois. The library was the city's fifth attempt at forming a library; it succeeded and assumed the collection of a library founded in 1902 by the Blue Button Army temperance organization. When the Blue Button library closed in 1907, supporter Amos K. Ayer called for the city to establish a permanent public library. With Ayer's financial backing, a library for all citizens of Delavan Township was approved in 1907; however, it used a temporary space and lacked a permanent home until the city applied to the Carnegie Foundation for assistance in 1912. After a protracted misunderstanding with James Bertram, who expected a city library tax and did not understand that the township provided tax support, the Foundation provided a $10,000 grant for the library and construction began in 1914. The Classical Revival library opened later in the year; it remains open to this day. The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 12, 1998.

Location

200 Locust St.
Delavan, Tazewell County, Illinois
40.37438, -89.54691

Categories

EDUCATION
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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Nearby Historic Sites

Delavan Commercial Historic District
Early Republic
0.1 mi
Third St. Bridge
Industrial
0.1 mi
Waltmire Bridge
Industrial
5.8 mi
Herget, Carl, Mansion
Industrial
14.1 mi
St. Louis, Peoria and Northern Railroad Depot
Industrial
14.2 mi

Questions about this property

When was Ayer Public Library listed on the National Register?

Ayer Public Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 12, 1998.

What type of historic resource is Ayer Public Library?

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

What is the period of significance for Ayer Public Library?

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

Can I research the history near Ayer Public Library?

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