Ardmore Carnegie Library Explained

Ardmore Carnegie Library
Location:511 Stanley SW., Ardmore, Oklahoma
Coordinates:34.1706°N -97.1353°W
Built:1905
Architect:Smith, S. Wemyss
Architecture:Classical Revival, Bungalow/craftsman
Added:June 2, 2000
Area:less than one acre
Refnum:00000620

The Ardmore Carnegie Library, at 511 Stanley SW. in Ardmore, Oklahoma, is a Carnegie library built in 1905. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. It has also been known as the Ardmore Garden Clubs Building.

The idea for a library in Ardmore began with Anna Barnes Townsend, wife of Judge Hosea Townsend for the southern district of the Indian Territory. After the Townsends moved to Ardmore, Anna obtained funding from Andrew Carnegie about 1903 and the Ardmore Carnegie Library was opened on October 1, 1906. The Townsends donated 800 books for the library.[1]

It was designed by Fort Worth architect S. Wemyss Smith. It is NaNfeet in plan. It is built with post-and-beam structural support and has load-bearing walls built of NaNinches cast-stone blocks.[2]

The building was modified in 1926 with removal of its original roof and second floor, and again in 1941 with addition of a new wing. The resulting building is a mix of Classical Revival and Craftsman styles.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Anna Barnes (Mrs. Hosea) Townsend - Oklahoma Library Association . www.oklibs.org . February 4, 2020.
  2. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=00000620}} National Register of Historic Places Registration: Ardmore Carnegie Library / Ardmore Garden Clubs Building ]. National Park Service. Dianna Everett . October 31, 1999 . November 13, 2018. With