March 19th From yesterday, a new marker in Bradenton- The Carnegie Library

Found this new marker when I checked out the Library for being on the National Register-  turned it in to the data base and it was published!




 Sides one and two of the marker

The Library entrance, with the two plaques at either side of the entrance

One of the markers at the entrance

 The Library building 

 The marker and the library 

The National Register designation for the library 

Carnegie inscription

THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY

This Carnegie Library was built in 1918 with funds from the

Carnegie Corporation.  It is one of the 1,946 Carnegie Libraries built

In the United States under the direction of Andrew Carnegie, a

Scottish immigrant who rose from millhand to steel magnate.

First efforts to obtain funds from the Carnegie Corporation for

The Construction of a public library in Bradenton began about

1906 but were unsuccessful.  Again in 1914, the need for a larger

Library building became serious and in May, 1915, the Carnegie

Corporation was again approached for a grant.  After almost three

Years of negotiations, the Carnegie Corporation granted $10,000 for

The construction of the original part of the building. The City of

Bradenton agreed to provide property and the annual operating

Expenses.  On October 12, 1918, the building was dedicated and

Opened to the public. 

The building was constructed of buff colored brick, rock granite

And native stone.  Its classical design, which includes doric columns,

Is in the style typical of Carnegie Libraries.

(Continued on the other side)

THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY

(Continued from the other side)

For 60 years, the building served as Bradenton’s main library.

In 1956-57, an addition was constructed on the 14^th Street side

of the building, increasing the overall square footage by one third.

In April 1978, the building was vacated on the completion of the

New central library building located on Barcarotta Boulevard

The building now houses the Historical Records Library, the

First county archival library of its kind in the State of Florida. 

The Historical Records Library was created in 1978 in an effort

To preserve and house original records of Manatee County

Which date back to the county’s formation in 1855.  The building

Was restored with the use of funds from the Clerk of the Circuit

Court and a $24,000 grant from the Manatee County Board of

County Commissioners.  The property is still owned by the City

Of Bradenton, but is leased back to the Manatee County Clerk of the

Circuit Court. 

Sponsored by the Manatee County Historical Commission

In Co-operation with the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners 1986