New Mexico, Las Vegas, Carnegie Public Library
The Carnegie Public Library in Las Vegas, New Mexico was built in 1903 with funding support from the Andrew Carnegie grant program. The building was modeled after Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. The arrival of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway to Las Vegas in 1879 introduced architecture forms from the east. The area where the library was built- Library Park- is the essence of this eastern influence. The library, a dominating Neo-Classical structure located in a central square, surrounded by frame and brick residential structures, emphasizes the eastern influence. Although, Neo- Classicism was inconsistent with local, traditional, southwest architecture, the library was designed to present an image of sophistication and higher learning to the citizenry.
Only three libraries in New Mexico were built with Carnegie grants before the program ceased in 1919. The other two buildings were razed around 1970, leaving the Las Vegas library as the only Carnegie funded library in New Mexico. The Carnegie Public Library is located in the Library Park Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a significant property.
New Mexico, Las Vegas, Carnegie Public Library
The Carnegie Public Library in Las Vegas, New Mexico was built in 1903 with funding support from the Andrew Carnegie grant program. The building was modeled after Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. The arrival of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway to Las Vegas in 1879 introduced architecture forms from the east. The area where the library was built- Library Park- is the essence of this eastern influence. The library, a dominating Neo-Classical structure located in a central square, surrounded by frame and brick residential structures, emphasizes the eastern influence. Although, Neo- Classicism was inconsistent with local, traditional, southwest architecture, the library was designed to present an image of sophistication and higher learning to the citizenry.
Only three libraries in New Mexico were built with Carnegie grants before the program ceased in 1919. The other two buildings were razed around 1970, leaving the Las Vegas library as the only Carnegie funded library in New Mexico. The Carnegie Public Library is located in the Library Park Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a significant property.