{"id":4,"ordinal":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:40:33","content_modified":"2026-04-17 19:40:33","featured":0,"title":"Carnegie Libraries","creator":null,"description":"<p>The rapid expansion of American cities between 1890 and 1920 created a social environment which concerned many civic leaders. Efforts to counter the perceived vices of urban living included the construction of lending libraries to cultivate the social mores of immigrants and rural migrants. \r\n\r\nWomen’s societies became particularly adept at taking up the cause of urban gentility. The library as an example of culture and civic values became even more entrenched once the philanthropic donations of Andrew Carnegie provided small towns with capital to construct libraries. These libraries—built after consultation with librarians—prioritized function over form and were typically built in a Neoclassical style, recalling the classical heritage of American democracy.\r\n\r\nMontanans were quick to adopt the library as an alternative to the saloons and red light districts still thriving in Montana's towns. Many of the libraries follow guidelines recommended by Carnegie and his secretary James Bertram, although local materials and architectural preferences provide regional distinction. These buildings remain a critical part of the urban fabric and local towns continue to support their use. All but two of the original seventeen Carnegie Libraries are extant and eight are listed in the National Register. Montana's Carnegie libraries continue to provide evidence of the state’s enduring respect for cultural and civic values.\r\n\r\n</p>","postscript_text":"Seven Carnegie libraries in Montana do not have historical markers. These libraries are in Chinook, Fort Benton,  Havre, Livingston, Malta, Miles City, and Missoula. The Carnegie libraries in Glasgow and Great Falls were demolished in 1965.","tour_img":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/694cde3a1802eab068852cbde594e15f.jpg","items":[{"id":74,"title":"Carnegie Library, Red Lodge ","latitude":45.1900957785179997472368995659053325653076171875,"longitude":-109.24735754727998937596566975116729736328125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/694cde3a1802eab068852cbde594e15f.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/694cde3a1802eab068852cbde594e15f.jpg","subtitle":"Red Lodge Commercial Historic District","address":"3 West 8th Street, Red Lodge, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":75,"title":"Lewistown Carnegie Library","latitude":47.06230959797100155128646292723715305328369140625,"longitude":-109.43030834197998046875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/889b739081ccee410d2fdf974f54aa02.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/889b739081ccee410d2fdf974f54aa02.jpg","subtitle":"Lewistown Courthouse Historic District","address":"701 West Main Street, Lewistown, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":76,"title":"Dillon Public Library","latitude":45.21653239999999840392774785868823528289794921875,"longitude":-112.637670500000012907548807561397552490234375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/1c95d4ad8c606f8f1814afc479bdfe8b.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/1c95d4ad8c606f8f1814afc479bdfe8b.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"121 South Idaho Street, Dillon, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":77,"title":"Big Horn County Library","latitude":45.73322499999999735109668108634650707244873046875,"longitude":-107.607070000000021536834537982940673828125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/a00aae792b62c0e8db50f1ad0e96a4ef.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/a00aae792b62c0e8db50f1ad0e96a4ef.jpg","subtitle":"Hardin Commercial Historic District","address":"419 North Custer Avenue, Hardin, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":78,"title":"Carnegie Library, Kalispell","latitude":48.1960121999999984154783305712044239044189453125,"longitude":-114.3100852999999688108800910413265228271484375,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/9eef418e9f4a9ee873f978ab13281805.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/9eef418e9f4a9ee873f978ab13281805.jpg","subtitle":"East Side Historic District","address":"302 2nd Avenue East, Kalispell, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":79,"title":"Bozeman Carnegie Library","latitude":45.6801583518929845695311087183654308319091796875,"longitude":-111.0345389666546225271304138004779815673828125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/bce22ea08aaa7e3409d9113edbd81e47.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/bce22ea08aaa7e3409d9113edbd81e47.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"35 North Bozeman Avenue, Bozeman, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":80,"title":"Carnegie Library, Hamilton","latitude":46.24601129728200277213545632548630237579345703125,"longitude":-114.1594412172700003793579526245594024658203125,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/d7fe7d1ea2c78aaf0eeb174ebf8cc62f.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/d7fe7d1ea2c78aaf0eeb174ebf8cc62f.jpg","subtitle":"Hamilton Commercial Historic District","address":"306 State Street, Hamilton, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}},{"id":81,"title":"Carnegie Public Library, Big Timber","latitude":45.8325439999999986184775480069220066070556640625,"longitude":-109.9532060000000228683347813785076141357421875,"thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/1ee42c67fb18c25f8fc8e86f0a64d392.jpg","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/1ee42c67fb18c25f8fc8e86f0a64d392.jpg","subtitle":null,"address":"314 McLeod Street, Big Timber, Montana","custom":{"subtitle":null,"text":null}}]}