Carnegie Public Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1900 at 219 East Fourth Street in East Liverpool, Ohio, the Carnegie Public Library is a two-story buff Roman brick building with a full basement. Its facade rises from a rusticated foundation to a projecting central bay with a classical portico, a Palladian window with terra-cotta surround, and a pediment carrying the date 1900. Ogee-roofed towers with flame finials mark each corner, and a large octagonal tower with Ionic pilasters and a tiled dome crowns the center. A single-story circular wing sits on one side. Inside, arcaded plaster walls separate a central lobby from three reading rooms, and two cast-iron stairways lead to a second floor with a circular balcony. The library was listed for its blend of Second Renaissance Revival and Georgian Revival design, work of English-born architect Charles Henry Owsley, whose Youngstown firm produced many public buildings in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. It remains an occupied library.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites the building's blend of Second Renaissance Revival and Georgian Revival styles, shown in its rustication, pedimented central bay and Palladian window. Its four ogee-roofed corner towers and large octagonal central tower and dome add visual distinction. It is described as one of the most distinctive public buildings in this Ohio river city.
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 80002963, listed March 11, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 219 E. 4th St., East Liverpool |
|---|---|
| County | Columbiana County |
| Listed | March 11, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002963 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900 |
| Architect / builder | Charles Henry Owsley |
| Architectural style | Second Renaissance Revival and Georgian Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in good condition and unaltered; in use as a library. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | East Liverpool Downtown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.61782, -80.57775 (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 80002963.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5043968
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.