Arlington Hills Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Arlington Hills Library
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Arlington Hills Library in 2012
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1105 Greenbrier Street Saint Paul, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1916 |
| Built by | Cameron & Company |
| Architect | Charles A. Hausler |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| MPS | Carnegie Libraries of St. Paul TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001660 |
| Added to NRHP | February 10, 1984 |
The Arlington Hills Library is a historic building in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was built in 1916 and designed by architect Charles A. Hausler. This building is special because it is one of only three Carnegie Libraries in Saint Paul. These libraries were built with money donated by Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman.
The Arlington Hills Library building served as a public library branch from 1917 until 2014. It is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
What Makes the Building Special?
The Arlington Hills Library building has a unique design called Beaux-Arts. This style was popular for grand public buildings.
- Shape and Size: The building has a rectangular shape. This allowed for two large reading rooms on the main floor. There was also an auditorium and other rooms in the basement.
- Front Design: The front of the building is about eighty feet wide. It looks the same on both sides, which is called symmetrical.
- Windows and Doors: It has seven sections, or "bays." Three of these sections have big stone arches over the windows or the main doorway. The other four sections have rectangular windows and decorative plaques.
- Columns: You can see twelve flat, decorative columns on the front. These are called pilasters. They have fancy tops known as Ionic capitals.
- Top Details: The very top of the front has a stone wall called a parapet. It also has more pilasters and decorative metalwork. This sits on a classical entablature, which is a fancy horizontal band.
Why Did the Library Move?
The public library branch at Arlington Hills closed its doors on March 15, 2014. It moved to a new location at 1200 Payne Avenue.
The new library opened on May 22, 2014. It is now part of the Arlington Hills Community Center. This means the library shares space with the parks and recreation department.
After the public library moved, the City of Saint Paul decided to sell the old building. They wanted someone to buy it and use it in a new way. The goal was to keep the historic building's original look and feel.
The East Side Freedom Library
A non-profit group called the East Side Freedom Library took over the old building. They signed a lease with the city in March 2014.
The East Side Freedom Library is a special kind of library. It focuses on reference books and also has classrooms. It's a place for cultural events and meetings.
The group planned to open in June 2014. However, they had to delay because the building's roof needed to be replaced. They are working to raise money and get grants for this and other repairs. The East Side Freedom Library started offering public programs in July 2014.
