Jacksonville Public Library
Why it's listed
Jacksonville's Carnegie library at 201 West College Avenue is a two-story limestone building with a clay tile hip roof and a cross-shaped plan. Designed by the Chicago firm Patton and Miller and built in 1901-02, it was funded by a $40,000 gift from Andrew Carnegie, arranged after local lawyer L.O. Vaught wrote to him in 1901. A portico with four Corinthian stone columns and a terra cotta pediment marks the north entrance, and a rotunda leads to two reading rooms with fireplaces. Before this building, the library had moved among several rented spaces since its 1870 founding. Early public meetings and lectures were held here, including poetry readings by Vachel Lindsay. Its role in local education from 1902 to 1950 and its Classical Revival design led to its listing. A 1995-96 renovation added a three-level precast concrete addition to the south and restored interior features, and the building remains a library.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it meets Criterion A for education because it provided library services to Jacksonville residents from 1902 through 1950. It fits the Carnegie Library property type defined in the Illinois Carnegie Libraries documentation. It is also described as an excellent example of Classical Revival style with a cross-shaped plan favored by Carnegie's secretary James Bertram.
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 00000953, listed August 24, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville |
|---|---|
| County | Morgan County |
| Listed | August 24, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000953 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1902-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Patton and Miller Architects, Chicago, IL; built by Menke Store & Lime Company, Quincy, Illinois |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in library use; renovated and expanded with a ten thousand square foot addition in 1995-96, and the interior is described as in excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Jacksonville Downtown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.73202, -90.23014 (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 00000953.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19880946
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.