Carnegie Library of Steubenville
Also known as: Public Library of Steubenville & Jefferson County,Main Libra
Why it's listed
Built between 1900 and 1902 at South Fourth and Slack Streets in Steubenville, this Carnegie library is a brick and sandstone building in the Romanesque Revival style, with Sullivanesque touches. A projecting entry tower, a deep round compound arch, a steep slate roof and ribbons of transomed windows lighting the reading rooms define its look. The tower once rose 102 feet but now stands 70 feet after its top section was removed because of water damage. Andrew Carnegie gave more than $50,000 toward construction, and the building cost $62,000. The Pittsburgh firm Alden and Harlow designed it, and it was the firm's first Carnegie library after separating from its Boston office. It is one of only two of the firm's tower-fronted libraries whose towers survive. Additions in 1948 and 1963, plus interior changes, have not erased its original character. The library opened March 11, 1902, and still serves the community.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance under Criterion C as an excellent example of early institutional architecture in Steubenville and a fine work of Alden and Harlow. It shows Romanesque Revival and Sullivanesque features and represents a transitional design among the firm's monumental libraries. Later changes are said not to disturb its original 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 92001160, listed September 16, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 407 S. Fourth St., Steubenville |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | September 16, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92001160 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900-1902 |
| Architect / builder | Alden and Harlow (Architects); Trimble, John H. (General Contractor) |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still serves as the main library building for the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County; the form lists current function as library. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.35524, -80.61810 (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 92001160.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q69961946
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.