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  Table of Contents about Andrew Carnegie About Allen Gardiner, author of The Carnegie Legacy in Kansas Further information about Libraries featured in this book Carnegie Legacy in Kansas logo: Link that takes you to the home page  

DOWNS

EARLY LIBRARY HISTORY
 
Shortly after the turn of the century, Mrs. D. E. Allen, was impressed with the idea of the need for a library, especially on behalf of the young people of the community. Her idea for the organization of a public library was for the citizens to subscribe for $10.00 worth of library stock payable $2.00 annually for five years. She found twenty- five persons who were interested in subscribing and a library was organized in January, 1903. The library was located in city hall in 1904.
 
Carnegie Library: Downs, Kansas

 
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY
 
Mrs. Allen prevailed upon Mayor H. H. Welty to write to Andrew Carnegie to ask for funds for a library since Downs was a division point on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. On January 19, 1905, Carnegie responded with the offer of $5,000.00 for a building. The offer was unusual in that grants were usually given only to second class cities and Downs was a third class city.
 
The city had purchased five lots on South Morgan Avenue for $480.00, and these were donated for the library site. Mayor Welty favored the plan of the building erected in Bloomington, Ill. (probably designed by A. T. Simmons or Paul O. Moratz, who were architects there) and thought that such a building would be "a thing of beauty and a joy forever." J. M. Kennedy, of Knoxville, Iowa, secured the contract, and work began in early April, 1905. The cornerstone was laid July 3, 1905; the lettering on the Missouri marble stone was done by John Scott of the Downs Marble Co. The library was dedicated February 27, 1906. Governor Hoch, Judge Pickler and E. P. Sampler gave addresses at the dedication ceremony.
 
During the time when the building was being erected, Mayor Welty wrote to Miss Helen Gould, daughter of Jay Gould, the railroad industrialist. Miss Gould offered 400-500 books if Welty would select books from Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons' list. This helped establish a good collection.
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
 
The building is rectangular, of pressed brick, a one-story structure on a raised basement. An arched design above the windows and door is carried out along the front facade. Two small stained-glass windows flank the front door.
 
LATER LIBRARY HISTORY
 
In 1984-1985 the library has undergone a general renovation. This includes waterproofing from the roof to the foundation; new wiring, furnace and air conditioning; some new windows and doors; a new