From the comments over the last few days, it seems there is some interest in the Carnegie libraries.
From the Evening Record – January 30, 1913:
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If you happen to go to Amherstburg these days you will notice a fine new handsome building at the corner where the car turns to go down to the river. It is the new public library that has been erected on the site of a former hotel that was burned down. The library is a very creditable structure and has an imposing appearance. The cost was about $12,000, of which Andrew Carnegie donated $10,000. The limestone was donated by the Amherstburg quarry. The plan of the building, prepared by Crane & Pennington of Windsor, architects, received very favorable endorsation (sic) by Mr. Carnegie, who wrote back that it was one of the best he had seen for a small library. The building has ample shelf room for books and is equipped with a commodious auditorium in the basement. The opening ceremony will soon be held. Much of the credit for securing the library belongs to Dr. Fred Park, the mayor of Amherstburg.
The library still stands at the corner of Richmond and Sandwich Streets.
Ontario was a major recipient of Andrew Carnegie’s generosity. Only the states of Indiana (164) and California (142) received more Carnegie grants than the province of Ontario which had 111.
Essex county had Carnegie Libraries built in Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, Leamington and Windsor.
The Kingsville carnegie, built in 1911 and designed by Crane & Pennington as well, also still stands.
As does the one in Essex, also by Crane & Pennington this one from 1912.
Leamington? Not so much. They join Windsor as the only other place in Essex County to have destroyed theirs. The Leamington Carnegie was built in 1910, and desgined by John A. Maycock. It was demolished sometime prior to 1983.
Parts of the Windsor Carnegie do survive however, the lobby doors to the Parks & Rec building on McDougall are from the demolished Carnegie, as well as the wood paneling in the conference room too…
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I wonder if the Carnegie in Amherstburg has issues with their building as does Assumption Church. From what I understand the Amherst quarry rock wasn’t that suitable for building material as it deteriorated more quickly than other limestone.
I’ve always admired that Kingsville one…such an attractive little structure.
I know the Amherstburg Carnegie well, my mother was the librarian there for many years until she retired, and my father was the part-time building maintenance person – I can tell you there is nothing wrong with the A’burg limestone – however, the mortar was a big problem – an extensie rsstoration and repointing in the early 90s took care of that, and along with a sensitive southern addition housing the elevator (which is nicely setback from the front facade) – the building should be usable for many years to come – I believe the Town owns the buidling – and they should be commended for the work they have done in keeping it a part of the Town’s charm – its interesting to note the treatment of the front entrance stairs in the rendering – the two stage-stairs look much more in proportion to the building and ground it much better. I always wonered why they didn’t set the building back farther given its first floor elevation – perhaps past road widenings necessitated the need for the steep approach seen today?
Wonderful info re Carnegie. This site was sent to me by a retired librarian with the Ontario government:
http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/library/carnegie/carnegie.htm
Thank God for visionaries like Andrew Carnegie: keep libraries alive and well!
Many of these Library’s were done in a Beaux Arts style. Many of the libraries that I have seen around southern Ontario are Stone on the lower level and Brick on the upper level similar the the library in Essex. One of the most distinctive features of the Carnegie Libraries is the exteriors are usually symmetrical on both sides with and Entrance in the middle that is usually elevated arround 5-6 feet above the ground with many concrete steps.
Thom I agree with you on both the stairs and the set back.
The Kingsville library is going to be closed down because the town is going to build a new one that is accessible. But I do believe the town is not going to raze the building.
Does anyone remember the two room red brick library located @ Mill & Felix ???
I remember Carole Anne. That was before they decided to move into Gen. Brock when that school was rebuilt. I believe they also put a small police station in there as well.