Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Carnegie Libraries of Michigan
Cities M-Z
Manistee
(L) German PCK card with all the little details--telephone poles, fence posts, dirt street-- left in. Mailed in 1908.
(R) Due to the Generosity of the Earl of Skibo.
'Earl of Skibo' refers to Andrew Carnegie's (then) personal castle in Scotland.
1902 Carnegie grant, building still in use.
(L) Can you say chiaroscuro?
This is another one of those early glossy cards that has no publisher's information. It's almost as vexing as library web sites without history.
(R) 1945 Curt Teich postcard that looks like it features a totally different library.
Marlette
According to the Library's plaque, this is the last Carnegie building funded in the Midwest. Even though the grant came in 1918, the building was not finished until 1921. However, it's still in use.
The caption on the photo postcard calls it a 'Lidrary.' Perhaps the processor was distracted by this building's clear resemblance to a Midwestern brick schoolhouse.
Mendon Township
Looks like the powers that be were all over the Carnegie grant. Over the door is the date, 1905. The building's centenary was November 25, 2006. It's still in use as is, with perhaps a jazzy coat of red paint on the brick.
(L) I assumed the state of the brick was due to H.L. McClellan, publisher, but maybe not. The card was mailled in 1911.
(R) Now for a little context, from C.U. Williams. A touch bleak, isn't it?
(L) An amazing Artura brand photo postcard,
(R) I do not know the publisher of this extraordinary photo postcard. L.L. Cook cards are very good, C.R. Childs captured more of the American Midwest, and this beats both.
Mount Clemens
Advertising postcard, printed by Tichnor. Reverse of card above. I don't normally scan these, but I found this one interesting. First, it has that Warren G. Harding memorial stamp. Second, the advertising text:
MOUNT CLEMENS MINERAL BATHS
World renowned for Rheumatism, Nervousness and that run-down condition. Open all the year. Twenty miles from Detroit. Write for booklet
Business Men's Association, Mt. Clemens, Mich.
(R) Printed postcard. It was mailed in 1913.
Niles
(L) Delicately empinkened Kropp/Unico card, mailed in 1911. Unico was more apt to use Curt Teich as its printer. I suspect that the reason was due to the drop in Kropp quality after WWI.
(R) Wow, does this look like the entrance to a mausoleum!
Plan similar to that of Iron Mountain's library, but the children are tucked away in the basement.
The building now belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and houses its Council of Tourism.
From the card (L):
The Carnegie Public Library was donated as a gift to the city and opened in 1904. One side of the building is almost covered by artistically climbing ivy vines. It is a landmark and a monument to Niles' interest in arts and science.
Owosso
(L) C.T. American Art Colored card published by Owosso News Agency of Owosso, Mich. Never postally used, but the number 65440 is typed in the stamp box.
(R) Dexter Press card adds the information that the building was completed in 1914. It has an annotation of Feb 8 1962.
Now known as the Shiawasse District Library, the 1913 building is still in use and augmented by a branch.
Paw Paw
One of the last Carnegie grants of 1917, making it either the ultimate, or the penultimate building grant of the year.
Replaced in 1991: now a community center.
This is a fairly recent photo card. To me, the library building looks a little like a Congregational church.
Port Huron
Hugh C. Leighton postcard.
In use 1904-1967.
What an amazing dedication this Patton and Miller Carnegie building had! Melvil Dewey spoke at its dedication. The building is now the Port Huron Museum of Arts and History, and needed a 1988 addition to continue in that role.
Portland
(L) This is another of those 'pseudo-Blue Sky' postcards that I believe might come from C.U. Williams of Bloomington (IL). Isn't the building quaint? However, the date over the entrance looks more like 1903. Hmm.
(R) The date is clearer on the unattributed photo postcard: 1905.
1905 grant, still in use.
Sault Ste. Marie
(L) Somewhat plain building is featured on a Hugh C. Leighton card, from a Young Lord, & Rhoades photo. Mailed 1912, unevenly divided back.
(R) Curt Teich 'C.T. Photochrom.'
1901 grant, opened 1905, replaced 1975 by the Bayliss Public Library.
Now serves as the Intermediate School District offices.
South Haven
Late 1904 grant.
This unevenly divided back card was mailed in 1913. Over the door it states 'Open to all.'
But beware the cannon.
Now serves as an art center.
St. Joseph
Late 1902 grant: replaced and in use as a law office.
It's interesting to see on these pages the various ways Carnegie library builders handled corner lots. West of the Mississippi, the building boldly extended as close as possible to the lot limit. The eastern libraries were a little more genteel. Notice the depth of the entryway that comfortably accomodated a (genteel) crowd.
Burkhart Brothers card, locally published.
Stambaugh
1914 grant. Now serves as school district offices.
On another site, its postcard spells the city name as 'Stambo.'
This is a Wm.G. Hoffman card.
Sturgis
1907 grant. Demolished. The current building is a touch unexciting, although the town has some great architecture.
(L) C.U. Williams 'Photoette' card with blue sky tinting.
(R) Unknown publisher. I can't even hazard a guess.
I would suspect that this is the last postcard of the Carnegie building. A 1908 date is visible, but those awnings are purely 1950s, and I see parking meters in front. The angle does show how small the building was compared to the size of Sturgis today.
Three Rivers
September, 1902 grant.
Replaced in 1978, the Carnegie building was narrowly rescued by the Three Rivers Woman's Club.
Currently, the A.W. Rush designed building houses the Carnegie Center for the Arts.
Both of these cards are rather unusual.
(L) Vertical format glossy card by Weixelbaum.
(R) Early interior view with wide white borders for a message.
Traverse City
(L) Rotograph card.
(R) S.H. Knox card.
The difference in the tinting between these cards is quite striking.
Late 1902 grant: replaced, and in use as a museum.
