Litchfield Public Library
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Set in the middle of Library Park on Litchfield's downtown square, this two-story limestone building was designed by architect Paul Moratz of Bloomington and built by John Rees between 1904 and 1905. Andrew Carnegie's grant of fifteen thousand dollars paid for it, and the library board took possession on June 22, 1905. The cross-shaped plan has a gabled two-story core flanked by one-story wings with classical parapets, and the west entrance sits beneath a pediment with dentils and modillions. Inside, an octagonal rotunda, oak trim, original circulation desk and brick fireplaces survive in excellent condition. Later work included a 1994 window replacement, an elevator and accessible entrance added in 1995-96, and a 1998 basement conversion to a children's library. The building is recognized for its education role, having housed the town's public library from 1905 through 1948, and as a representative Illinois Carnegie library. The library itself dates to a tax levy in 1872 and opened in 1882.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is locally significant under Criterion A for education, because it served as Litchfield's public library from 1905 to 1948. It also meets the Carnegie Library property type defined in the Illinois Carnegie Libraries multiple property documentation. Its Classical Revival design and largely intact interior add to its character.
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 99000165, listed February 12, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 400 N. State St., Litchfield |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Listed | February 12, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000165 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1905 - 1948 |
| Architect / builder | Moratz, Paul, Architect; Rees, John, Builder |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as the public library and owned by the City of Litchfield. The basement was remodeled as a children's library in 1998, and the second floor is currently used only for storage, with plans to open it to the public. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.17779, -89.65489 (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 99000165.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q17300109
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.