Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Carnegie Libraries of Indiana
Cities "M"
Marion
Some information from an impressive site, WikiMarion.
1901 grant. The building looks like a 'Mini-Me' for the Indianapolis library. It served other community purposes during its 90 year tenure, including holding a kindergarten. Converted to a museum in 1991.
All three postcards I have seen of this library feature the same angle. The one I am sharing is that by S.H. Knox.
The glossy Curt Teich card was printed for Woolworth, and was mailed in 1915.
Martinsville
1906 grant. Built with area limestone. Addition in 1990, and renovation in 1996.
Now the Morgan County Public Library flagship.
Americhrome card mailed in 1912.
Mishawaka
Library now known as the Mishawaka-Penn Public Library.
Carnegie building built in 1916; added to as a WPA project in 1937-8; and closed in 1969.
Happily, it still stands in the Local Historic District. It is now a private residence, hopefully after a lot of TLC.
Mitchell
1914 grant.
Still in use, with an addition. The White River separates Mitchell's library district from Bedford's.
(L) Photo postcard with a stylish caption.
(R) C.T. American Art Black and White brand card, mailed in 1937. Note the unusual detailing that surrounds the windows, visually tying its storeys together.
Monon
Monticello
(L) Very spooky looking building that its foxing spots do nothing to improve. The manufacturer of this card is unknown.
(R) C.R. Childs card, ca. 1907.
1903 grant. 1954 addition. Replaced in 1991.
Now houses the White County Historical Society.
Now the Montpelier Harrison Township Library.
This tiny ca. 1907 Carnegie building has had a substantial addition, well-designed and harmonious with the Carnegie building.
​
On the other hand, the postcard is a bit of a disaster.
Grant date: 1913. Still in use after an addition, and is technically the Monon Town and Township Library.
With the decline and fall of the Monon Railroad, the city followed. Fortunately, they saw fit to fund a library while times were good.
​
"Groganized" postcard, made in Danville, IL, and mailed in 1958.
Mount Vernon
A rosy lil' building, isn't it? Chicago's ZIM (H.G. Zimmerman) postcard company had a few cases of the vapors when it came to coloring library buildings.
1902 grant. Replaced in 1986. A 2009 Indiana government file states the Carnegie building now serves as Mt. Vernon's City Hall. .
Muncie
Montpelier
1901 grant. Now known as Local History and Genealogy at Carnegie Library.
Muncie, Indiana also had the Hemingray insulator factory.
(Hemingray Insulators would be a great PC name for a football team.)
By the way, someone forgot to add the candy stripes to the awnings. Tsk, tsk.
Card postmarked 1916.
