Ballinger Carnegie Library
United States historic place
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ballinger Carnegie Library, at 204 N. 8th St. in Ballinger, Texas, is a Carnegie library which was built in 1909. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.[1] It is one of only five Carnegie Libraries in Texas, out of 32 built, to remain in use as a public library.[2]
Ballinger Carnegie Library | |
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| Location | 204 N. 8th St., Ballinger, Texas |
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| Coordinates | 31°44′23″N 99°56′59″W |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1909 |
| Built by | Leslie, J.D. |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75002002[1] |
| Added to NRHP | June 18, 1975 |
It is built in "a vernacular version" of Classical Revival style. Its most prominent feature is a two-story portico.[3]
After construction of a one-story building was started, it was redesigned to add a second floor auditorium. Additional funding from the Carnegie Foundation was sought and denied, but followups led to another check from Andrew Carnegie.[3]
The building, in addition to serving as the library, was an important cultural center for the community. In early years it was run by members of a Shakespeare club, and was later taken over by an American Legion group.[3]
It is a Texas State Antiquities Landmark and a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
