Carnegie Library
City of Vancouver Heritage Building
This eclectic 1903 building was one of 2,507 public libraries paid for by the Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, the richest person in the world when he retired in 1901. Carnegie believed in the "Gospel of Wealth" and gave away 90% of his fortune. This commanding building is built of Gabriola Island sandstone and features and Ionic corner portico and dome. Romanesque-inspired arched windows, a French mansard roof and and unusual stained glass window by the spiral staircase. Vancouver's main library operated here until 1957, while the top floor housed the Vancouver Museum from 1905 to 1968. In 1980. after a campaign spearheaded by the Downtown Eastside Residents' Association, this building was saved and converted into the Carnegie Community Centre.
Marker can be reached from the intersection of Main Street and East Hastings Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
