Carnegie Public Library in Iron Mountain, Michigan

Carnegie Public Library, 300 East Ludington Street, Iron Mountain, ca. 1905: Iron Mountain’s Carnegie Public Library first opened its doors Tuesday, April 15, 1902, at the southeast corner of East Ludington Street and Iron Mountain Street. L.E. Amidon, superintendent of schools, contacted Andrew Carnegie by letter in March of 1901, requesting funds to erect a public library, Carnegie agreeing to provide $17,500. Architect James E. Clancy designed the building, specifying Bedford stone for its exterior, and the edifice was constructed by local contractor William H. Sweet. In addition to the library space, offices for the Iron Mountain School Board of Education and the superintendent were provided. The Menominee Range Historical Foundation acquired the building on July 6, 1971, and opened its museum three years later, on July 8, 1974. This building is on the Michigan State Register of Historic Sites. [Menominee Range Historical Museum]