Paris Carnegie Public Library
Why it's listed
Located at 207 South Main Street in downtown Paris, Illinois, this one-story red brick library with a raised basement was built in 1903-1904 with $18,000 donated by Andrew Carnegie. Charles Henry and Son designed it, and local contractor Henry B. Newman built it. The library was dedicated on June 24, 1904. Its temple-front portico with paired Ionic columns, brick pilasters and decorative parapet reflect the Classical Revival style, though stone construction and a dome were left out, probably because of cost. Inside, original dark oak woodwork, wainscoting, a stained glass skylight and a basement fireplace survive. A rear addition was completed in 1991, and some interior changes were made in the 1970s. Earlier library efforts in Paris, including a subscription association, a YMCA collection and a Women's Club circulating library, led to the first public library in 1902. The building is significant for its educational role in the community and as one of only four Classical Revival buildings remaining in Paris.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues local significance under Criterion A for education, because the library provided library services to Paris residents, and under Criterion C as a local example of Classical Revival architecture. It is one of only four Classical Revival buildings still standing in Paris, per a 1982 survey, and fits the Carnegie Library property type from the Illinois multiple property documentation.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 02000464, listed May 9, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 207 S. Main St., Paris |
|---|---|
| County | Edgar County |
| Listed | May 9, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000464 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1904-1951 |
| Architect / builder | Henry, Charles & Son, architect; Newman, H.B., builder |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a library; a rear addition was built in 1991 and the original windows have been replaced with vinyl windows. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.61129, -87.69525 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 02000464.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7137260
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.