Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Carnegie Libraries of Kentucky & Tennessee
Statistics come from George S. Bobinski's Carnegie Libraries.
Kentucky
Corbin
1914 grant. 1916 building. Replaced in 1968. On the National Register of Historic Places for Kentucky.
The Curt Teich postcard shows a standard plan library. It was sent by a traveling showman to Maryland.
Likely, he traveled on the Dixie Highway, US 25 in Corbin; and may have eaten at Col. Sander's original fried chicken restaurant.
Covington
The Library became part of the Kenton County system.
The Carnegie building has a lively second career as a visual and performing arts center.
This spectacular card shows two sides of the Classical building, and was mailed in 1910.
This Kraemer Art Card isn't too shabby. Although some similar cards were produced by Curt Teich, this is not.
Henderson
(L) Unknown publisher.
(R) Suhling Co. of Chicago. These self-framed postcards of poor quality are common in the midwest.
1901 grant. Still in use, after a 2002 restoration.
Hopkinsville
1912 grant. Built in 1914. Currently, slowly, being renovated into a multipurpose building which extols Kentucky's architects.
The E.C. Kropp postcard shows a standard plan library, tinted rose instead of the actual ochre.
Lexington
The Library was established in 1795. It, and the Transylvania Seminary collection, were united in the Carnegie building, built from a 1902 grant. According to the NPS site, it was replaced in the 1980s, and serves as the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.
This is an early Curt Teich 'C.T. Photochrom' card.
Louisville
1908 building, one of eight funded by Carnegie. FYI, the Western and Eastern branches were segregated, an unpleasantry not unique to this city. At least Louisville snapped to moderate enlightenment, and opened the first Carnegie-funded African-American branch.
(L) 1937 postcard, image taken after flooding. Lincoln walks on water!
(R) Delightfully tinted Hugh C. Leighton postcard.
Newport
1899 grant: replaced in 2004. Newport is now a branch of the Campbell County Library.
Today, Newport is considered part of the Cincinnati metro area. As such, the Carnegie Hall at Newport is able to thrive as an event center.
(L) Kraemer Art Co. card.
(R) Feicke-Desch Printing Co., of Cincinnati.
Owensboro
1903 Carnegie grant. Replaced.
(L) E.C. Kropp postcard, pseudo-Blue sky on linen finish stock.
(R) C.T. American Art Card mailed 1922.
Paducah
(L) Card just cries out for some retouching work.
(R) Oh, so pretty, Mr. Kropp.
1901 grant. Burned in 1964.
Paris
Early 1903 grant. Still in use as part of the Paris-Bourbon County system, but looking lonely on the library page without its landscaping.
Exceedingly common Curt Teich 'C.T. Photo-Finish' postcard.
Somerset
1905 grant. Replaced. Still serving a purpose as the Carnegie Community Art Center.
The postcard was published fairly soon after the building's completion, as it has an unevenly divided reverse. It appears to be an early E.C. Kropp card.
Tennessee
The Mountain Home VA Library is on my Military page.
Chattanooga
Late 1900 grant: opened in in 1905. Replaced in 1940. Thankfully, it's standing still, in use as offices.
Curt Teich card with all its surroundings airbrushed away.
Greeneville
1913 grant. Replaced in the 1970s. Extant as of 2015 Google Street View, which seems to show a residential conversion.
E.C. Kropp postcard, mailed in 1939.
Jackson
1901 grant. Building in use as an arts center.
Souvenir Post Card, mailed 1908.
S.H. Kress postcard with a glossy finish. Nearly pristine.
E.C. Kropp linen finish postcard
Nashville
(L) Charming Tuck's postcard.
(R) Early (undivided back) E.C. Kropp postcard.
Its first Carnegie grant: 1901. However, it didn't open until 1915. Still in use.
