Atlanta Public Library
Why it's listed
Atlanta's public library, at the corner of Race and Arch Streets, has served the town continuously since its dedication on March 28, 1908. Architect Paul A. Moratz of Bloomington designed it and Joseph A. Reichel of El Paso built it. The plan is based on a 48-foot octagon, yet the exterior carries Neo-Classical detail, including a temple-style portico with two Roman Doric columns and a pediment. An eight-sided red tile roof rises to a central peak. Inside are a basement, a main floor with an octagonal lobby, two reading rooms and a stacks area, and oak woodwork throughout. The building is valued for combining the Octagon Mode with Neo-Classical Revival styling in a way described as unusual for Midwestern public construction. It also reflects local initiative. Citizens founded the library in 1873 and paid about $9,500 for the present building without Carnegie funds, with land donated by Seward Fields and a $4,000 gift from Martha Harness Tuttle.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the library is a well-maintained turn-of-the-century public building that combines Octagon Mode planning with Neo-Classical Revival detailing, including an unusual eight-sided red tile roof. It also reflects community effort, as it was built with local donations and without Carnegie assistance.
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 79000852, listed December 11, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Race and Arch Sts., Atlanta |
|---|---|
| County | Logan County |
| Listed | December 11, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000852 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Architect: Paul A. Moratz; Builder: Joseph A. Reichel |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical Revival and Octagon Mode |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In continuous use as a library since 1908; the basement has housed the Atlanta city museum since 1973. Described as well-maintained. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Coordinates | 40.25361, -89.23392 (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 79000852.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14687388
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.