Delaware Public Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1905-06 just north of the Delaware County courthouse, this small public library in Delaware, Ohio, was funded entirely by Andrew Carnegie at a cost of $21,500. John Marriott of Delaware and E. W. Hart of Columbus designed it in the Neo-Classical Revival style. The yellow brick walls rise from a raised ashlar stone foundation, and the five-bay facade has a two-story central pavilion flanked by one-story wings. The recessed entrance is framed by Corinthian columns and pilasters and topped with a pediment with modillion blocks and dentils. Carved lettering above the door reads "Carnegie Library - Free to All." Inside, carved Corinthian columns separate the reading rooms from the central desk area, and the rooms have carved mantels and paneled wainscoting. Many furnishings are original and appear in Library Bureau catalogues of 1899 and 1902. The building was valued for its well-preserved classical design and its link to Carnegie's library philanthropy.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding, well-preserved example of Neo-Classical Revival architecture in Delaware. It is also a tribute to Andrew Carnegie, who paid the full $21,500 cost. Its classical detailing, stone and brick, interior woodwork and original furnishings reflect early twentieth-century taste and craftsmanship.
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 83001957, listed January 11, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 101 N. Sandusky St., Delaware |
|---|---|
| County | Delaware County |
| Listed | January 11, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001957 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | John Marriott and E.W. Hart |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and carefully maintained by the library board; the library is outgrowing its space, and the interior is described as virtually unaltered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.30230, -83.06551 (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 83001957.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q56278882
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.