Cargegie Library, Redfield, South Dakota - Carnegie Library Buildings on Waymarking.com

The Redfield Carnegie Library began as a reading club with members buying books to circulate. The city applied to the Andrew Carnegie Foundation for a $10,000 endowment, which was awarded in March 1902. Carnegie's money enabled the community to erect a majestic red brick building, with tan sandstone foundation, lintels and sills. The architect crowned his design with a domed cupola. The interior has beautiful oak columns and woodwork. Redfield city offices were contained within the library in the early years, the City Auditor serving as Librarian.

Still providing library service to the citizens of Redfield, the Redfield Carnegie Library has the distinction of being the oldest Carnegie in continuous use as a library in the state.

In 2008 an addition resembling the size of the original building was completed. Part of the addition includes an elevator and community room. The entire building is now handicap accessible on both levels.

The present librarian, Betty Baloun, reports that the library holds approximately 10,000 volumes.

Courtesy of Website.

The County Seat of Spink County, South Dakota, Redfield, is located in the center of the county at the crossroads of US Highway 281 and US Highway 212.

The area was settled by German, Irish, English, Norwegian, and Swedish peoples and the town was incorporated on April 18, 1883.
A gentleman by the name of Frank Meyers came to this area with a party of Chicago and Northwestern surveyors in 1878. In 1880 Meyers established the first post office, which was located in a box car. At this time, Redfield was known as "Stennett Junction"; "Stennett", named for a man who was an official with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, and "Junction" in anticipation of the railroads criss-crossing the state.

On February 1, 1881, the town's name was changed from Stennett Junction to Redfield, in honor of Joseph Barlow Redfield. Redfield was one of the oldest and most valued auditors for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company. Redfield purchased much of the land in this area for investors in Chicago. He is remembered for his "General Grant" appearance.

Redfield's history would be incomplete if the conflict over the Spink County seat were not mentioned. In county elections of 1880 to 1884, the county seat was voted upon to determine the location. Old Ashton was the original county seat, but other candidates were Ashton, Redfield and Frankfort. In December of 1884, Redfield boosters brought the contest to a climax by seizing the records which had been tampered with so that Redfield had a definite advantage. A serious conflict was avoided but the war between Old Ashton and Redfield is still topic for conversation.

Old Ashton continued to be the county seat until 1885, when an act of legislature gave the honor to Ashton. In the fall of 1886, another election was held and Redfield had the honest majority of the votes. With Redfield gaining the county seat in a "respectable" manner, people in remote districts no longer looked upon Redfield as a home for "outlaws and thugs".

Courtesy of Website.

Address of Library Building: 5 East 5th Avenue Redfield, SD USA 57469 Current Use of Building: Library Year Built (optional): 1902 Website about building: [Web Link]

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