Lincoln Public Library
Why it's listed
Lincoln Public Library, at 725 Pekin Street, is a Carnegie-funded library completed in 1903 and designed by Chicago architect W. A. Otis. The city received a $25,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie in 1901, and the Lincoln Library Association chose a classical design. The building is red mottled brick with stone trim, a light red tile hipped roof and a tetrastyle portico with Tuscan-like shafts and composite capitals. Inside, oak woodwork, two oval bays and a stained-glass dome over the circulation desk mark the main floor. The design departs from strict classical rules in practical ways: the rear facade is plain brick with tall arched windows meant to allow a higher stack-room ceiling, and bow windows and local brick replace stone. Land for the site came partly from a bequest by Isabel Nash, and Stephen A. Foley oversaw construction. Still used as a library, it illustrates the early free library movement in Illinois, where Lincoln's grant was the sixth of 105 statewide.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a well-preserved, continuously used Carnegie library and a local example of Neo-Classical Revival design with practical adaptations such as a raisable stack ceiling, bow windows and local brick. It also represents the early free library movement, which combined private national wealth, local initiative and cultural ideals, and recognizes local benefactors such as Isabel Nash and Stephen A. Foley.
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 80001384, listed September 12, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 725 Pekin St., Lincoln |
|---|---|
| County | Logan County |
| Listed | September 12, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001384 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1903 |
| Architect / builder | W. A. Otis, Chicago |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in continuous use as a library; condition listed as excellent, with the basement remodeled and opened in 1972-1974. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Coordinates | 40.14736, -89.36132 (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 80001384.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14687796
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.