Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Carnegie Libraries of Cincinnati and Cleveland
Cincinnati
Avondale Branch
Still in use, according to the Cincinnati library web site.
Built 1913 in Spanish Colonial style. Noted for its Rookwood tile entry.
This is a UNICO (Union News Company) card. They added the flag.
Corryville Branch
Still in use.
Built 1907. Renamed as Corryville Branch in 1997, after a 1996 renovation. It's looking darn sprightly for a supercentarian.
The card was made in Germany for Kraemer Art of Cincinnati, and must be one of the first with a divided back: it was mailed the same year.
Norwood Branch
Tim Jeffries' Moving Pictures photography page shows some of the exquisite details of this Carnegie library, now a branch.
Unattributed card, mailed in 1912. Note the "Norwood Library" above the entrance.
Price Hill
Opened in 1909, probably from the 1902 grant funding. Its roofline makes it a French Renaissance building. In 2019, it was remodeled to assist accessibility.
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This Curt Teich postcard was produced for Woolworth, and has a date of receipt of 4/26/1920.
Cleveland
The main library did not use Carnegie funding. The Lorain Branch Carnegie Library is not the same as the Lorain, Ohio Carnegie Library.
Broadway Free Library
Surprisingly, still standing. It's red brick, and has a huge addition, although the combo (as seen on Google maps) seems to need some TLC.
Originally, it served Cleveland's immigrant population.
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The Litho-Chrome brand postcard was mailed in 1907.
Carnegie West Branch Library
Built 1910.
Curious architecture, especially in the quoins and the details on the columns.
(L) Mailed 1914. Fancy church to its left.
(R) Divided back card shows more detail of the Library's front.
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Woodland Branch
Replaced in 1961 after a 1957 fire. The newer building was remodeled in 2010.
(L) German 'Litho-Chrome' card, mailed in 1908.
(R) This is another one of the German cards, but made by someone who'd never seen the American flag.
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