The Carnegie Library
Prescott's first library consisted of over 300 volumes brought to the Territory in 1864 by Secretary of State Richard C. McCormick. In 1870, a group of local women opened a reading room with 263 books collected from local citizens and out-of-town newspapers. Run by private parties, this was the only source of library material. In 1895 the Women's Club of Prescott (later knows ad the "Monday Club") was formed. Their dream was to establish a free library "as attractive as an evening resort".
In June, 1899, Prescott Monday Club member Julia Goldwater wrote a letter to Andrew Carnegie requesting funds for a free library. Carnegie offered half the sum requested with the understanding that first the matching $4,000 had to be raised in the community. Eventually, the funds were raised and a building lot was granted. But the fire of July 14, 1900 destroyed all of the books for the library. The ladies of the Monday Club pressed on, accepting the donation of replacement books for the library. The Prescott Public Free Library (Carnegie Library), located here on the southwest corner of Gurley and Marina Streets, finally opened on November 24, 1903.
Built in a Classical Revival style of brick and stone with a symmetrical facade, a pediment over the main entry door and a beautiful arched window above the entry, it is typical of the traditional styles being built in Prescott in the early 20th Century. This library served the Prescott community until 1974, when the current, City of Prescott library opened.
Marker is at the intersection of East Gurley Street (Arizona Route 89) and Marina Street, on the left when traveling west on East Gurley Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
