TitlePublic Library, Blue Island, IL
Inventory Number25-0125
Full CollectionAll Postcards - Dick Reuss Postcards
Object Description
A postcard featuring Blue Island's Carnegie Public Library. Its construction was funded by a grant from industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who gave $15,000 toward construction (slightly more than half a million dollars today), providing the city purchase the site for the building and allocate $1500 annually toward its maintenance.
Architect William A. Otis of Winnetka was chosen to design the building and oversee construction, and local builder Fred Rauwolf was awarded the general contract. Construction began in 1902 and was completed in 1903. It stood until 1970, when it was demolished for the construction of Blue Island's current library.