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PARSONS

EARLY LIBRARY HISTORY
 
On November 8, 1871, a literary society and library association were organized, but the movement lasted a little more than a year. In 1877, Mrs. Ella B. Wilson, Mrs. Kate Grimes and Mrs. Polly L. Cory secured the formation of a library association, and a library was opened to the public November 26, 1880. Mrs. Augustus Wilson was the leader in the movement to build a library building and personally traveled over a large part of the United States, soliciting funds, books, lumber and merchandise from corporations, societies and merchants in the East and from the citizens of Kansas. She herself was a liberal supporter.
 
Photo: Carnegie Library in Parsons Kansas

 
A site was secured at Forest and Nineteenth Streets, and a loan of $10,000.00 was procured. A three-story building with a library and lecture hall was erected and opened to the public, December 25, 1883. Unfortunately, financial support did not come through and the Nashua Savings Bank, Nashua, N.H., which held the mortgage, had no choice but to foreclose. The library association had sold books from time to time to keep off the hard time but this was to no avail. The books were sold and scattered to the winds. For a number of years there was no library, but in 1904 a small library was begun and operated on donations until 1907. On April 5, 1907, the voters approved the question of establishing a city library, and on November 8 of that year, the existing private library was presented to the city.
 
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY
 
J. A. Higdon, secretary of the library board, wrote to Andrew Carnegie who agreed to give $22,500.00 for a library building on November 14, 1907. A site at the corner of Broadway and Seventeenth Streets was purchased for $6,500.00 from Mrs. Dinsmore, the funds being raised by popular subscription. In March, 1908, E. F. Parker, a Kansas City architect, was hired to prepare the plans and specifications, and on April 8 of that year the city council approved a resolution to levy a library tax. Parker's plans were approved by Carnegie June 17, 1908, after which the contract was let to William Kee of Parsons. By December, 1908, the work was done and the workmen were putting on the tile roof. The building cost a total of $22,484.48. It was officially opened May 18, 1909.
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
 
The building is one-and-a-half stories on a raised basement, built of Carthage stone cut in the cyclopean style and backed with concrete. The style seems to be primarily derived from Beaux-Arts Classicism, is symmetrical, and has a rather elaborate entrance that employs a Serliana motif with Ionic columns as the main focal point on the east facade. The entablature of the building has an undecorated frieze and the cornice is supported by consoles. The name "Carnegie Library" has been carved in the balustrade above the main entranceway. The roof is hipped and a melon dome rises at the crossings. The interior is finished with oak and Canadian walnut.