Waterloo Public Library--East Side Branch - Waterloo, Iowa - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

My Commentary:
The building is well-maintained. I was driving around downtown Waterloo on vacation and just spotted this old Carnegie Library. The building is no longer a library, but being used as the headquarters for the City's Code Enforecement Division.

History:
The library illustrates the parallel development and provision of public services in Waterloo, a product of the intense east-west rivalry. In addition, the library shows the increasing responsibilities the City assumed as population and industry grew and required additional services and amenities during the industrial era. Finally, it is directly associated with progressive attempts at reform and intellectual improvement.

The largley unaltered building also calls attention to the national Carnegie endowment program that brought free public libraries to hundreds of communities, including an unprecedented two for Waterloo. The two libraries stand as prominent symbols of the competitiveness that has raged between residents on either side of the Cedar River since the pioneer settlement period. This community spirit in some cases resulted in healthy development for the entire city, as enthusiastic boosters vied to bring improvements to Waterloo. But it also caused discord, wasted time on squabbling, and brought inefficiency as dual services and businesses sometimes resulted.

Bickering over location of the library began in 1902 when the Carnegie Foundation offered the city $30,000 for a library building. Residents of each side of town wished to have the new building on their respective side of the river. The situation was at a standstill when in 1903 the mayor suggested a mid-river library be built on the Fourth Street bridge, then under construction. Such a distinctive site was more expensive, but this added cost was used to resolve the impasse.

In 1904 Carnegie offered the city $40,000 for one mid-river building or two $20,000 libraries. The City Council chose the latter. On February 23, 1906 dual dedications were held. It should be noted that there was some precedent for two libraries in Waterloo, for two sets of book collections had been maintained in the pre-Carnegie period in Waterloo. The west side library (now law offices) has been altered, changing the distinctive Carnegie-formula appearence, notably the steep entry steps.

Both Carnegie libraries were designed by local architect John G. Ralston, who received most of the major commissions in the city that went to local architects. George Dunham was superintendent of construction for the $24,390 east side library and C.E. Atkinson of Webster City was the contractor. The noted local stoneworks, Moline & Lawson, cut the letters over the door. Michael Paint Company had the contract for finishing and decorating the interior, but there is no reason to suspect that Ralston did not design the interior.

Architecture:
Designed by one of Waterloo's most important architects, John G. Ralston, the library is an excellent example of the many important public commissions Ralston received in the early decades of the twentieth century. Ralston designed both the east and west side Carnegie libraries in Waterloo, as well as Carnegie libraries in other northeast Iowa communities, including Traer and Waverly. According to records from the Ralston office, he also designed a library for Bolivar, New York.

The Waterloo libraries share certain characteristics with other Ralston libraries. All feature ample windows grouped in three's, raised basements, compact rectangular shape, a prominent central entry, and a crisp, well-proportioned handling. The two Waterloo and the Waverly libraries have hipped roofs. Only the east side Waterloo library is entirely of stone; the others are brick with contrasting stone trim. All combine Ralston's fine handling of classical detail, which is then interpreted in an early twentieth century manner. Even the east side Waterloo library, the most classical of the group, has a starburst pattern in transoms.

The relative simplicity of the smooth stone wall surface and simple windows draws attention to the distinctive entry. (Although termed "Bedford, Indiana sandstone" in contemporary newspaper accounts, the stone is Bedford limestone.) Of particular interest is the central portico with paired smooth Ionic columns, then an entablature which connects with the main mass capped by an elaborate parapet. Above the portico the raised gabled portion features a fine thermal window and more classical ornamentation, including acroteria and egg-and-dart motifs (the latter reappears in the interior).

A stone course separates the raised basement from the main story. The windows, which are original, are double-hung and wood frame. Main story windows feature a decorative pattern in the panel above the double-hung portion. This star-burst motif is also used above the double entry doors and in the thermal window.

- National Register Application

Street address: 626 Mulberry Street Waterloo, IA USA 50703 County / Borough / Parish: Black Hawk Year listed: 1988 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Periods of significance: 1900-1924 Historic function: Education - Library Current function: City Offices Privately owned?: no Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.